The American Republic Since 1877 © 2007

"Imperialism in the Philippines"

Introduction
As you learned in this chapter, the United States acquired the Philippines in the Spanish-American War. Before, during, and after the war, Americans debated what the United States should do with the territories acquired. Many Americans believed that the Filipinos were unfit for self-rule, and that the United States was bound by destiny to civilize the nation. Indiana Senator Albert Beveridge reflected this opinion in a speech before the Senate when he stated that God had made Americans "the master organizers of the world to establish system where chaos reigns." Some believed that such imperialistic notions ran counter to the tenets of American democracy. Two famous individuals who condemned U.S. policy in the Philippines were politician William Jennings Bryan and celebrated writer Mark Twain. Log on to this Web site to read speeches by these three orators on the issue of the annexation of the Philippines.

Destination Title: History of Imperialism

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Directions
Start at the History of Imperialism Web site.

• Click on “American Imperialism.”
• Next, click on “Essays, Speeches and Pamphlets: Anti-Imperialism in the United States, 1898-1935.” Then click on “1900s.” Scroll down and click on the speech entitled, “A Defence of General Funston, by Mark Twain, May 1902.” Read through this speech, taking notes as you go.
• Go back to the History of Imperialism Web site, under the heading “American Imperialism.”
• Click on “Documents Relating to American Foreign Policy 1898-1914.” Scroll down to the “1900” heading. Click on the speeches entitled, “Senator Albert Beveridge, 'In Support of an American Empire,' 1900” and “Speech by William Jennings Bryan to the Democratic National Convention, 'The Paralyzing Influence of Imperialism,' 1900.” Read these speeches, taking notes as you go.

1			Outline the arguments that Beveridge uses to support annexing the Philippines.
2			Identify rhetoric that reveals Beveridge's belief in Anglo-Saxonism.
3			Outline the arguments that Bryan uses to refute imperialist reasoning for annexation.
4			Summarize the message of Twain's speech.
5			On a separate sheet of paper, create a three-column chart to examine the ideas presented in the three speeches. Label the first column "Imperialistic Views," and list the arguments for annexing the Philippines. Label the second column "Anti-Imperialistic Views," and list the ideas presented to oppose annexation. Label the last column "My Views," and write your reaction to the 1900s debate on annexation of the Philippines. Compare your chart to classmates' charts.