PRESENTATION OUTLINE
US IMPERIALISM IN PHILIPPINES 1899-1902
Imperialism: expansion of political and economic influence
Manifest Destiny: the 19th century doctrine or belief that the expansion of the US throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable
Untitled Slide
- Spanish had control over Philippines, considering ammexation
- US wanted the islands before Germany or Japan claimed them
- Problems: islands were 6,000 miles away from Pacific Coast, 7,100 islands, total population 7.5 million people
- 43 different ethnic groups and 87 languages
- US needed islands for new markets, bases for refuelling their ships, military bases to protect their trade
The goal of the US was to claim the Philippines in order to "Christianize and educate" them because they decided the Filipino people werent capable of self governing themselves because they were "uncivilized." After claiming and "Americanizing" them, thats when they planned to give them independence.
Battle of Spanish-American war took place in Philippines that set stage for Philippine-American war. US Navy Commodore George Dewey defeated Spanish navy in Manila Bay in May 1898. Defeat hurt spain but started battle between US and Filipinos seeking national independence.
Philippines was fighting for independence even before US arrived. In 1896-97 a group of Filipinos led by Emilio Aguinaldo fought a war for independence which ended in a truce. Dewey met with Aguinaldo in Hong Kong discussing having Filipinos as land-based allies in case of war. Soon Filipinos controlled most of Spanish centers. The US ordered Filipinos to stay out of Manila (capital).
In June 1898 Aguinaldo proclaimed the Republic of Philippines and asked for US for support but both US and Spain ignored him and his requests. By August, Spanish forces in Manila surrendered to the US and with the gave away Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines through Treaty of Paris by Spain.The Americans called it "the gift from the Gods."The Filipinos were outraged and immediately started to fight back.
Philipine-American war was brutal. Filipino Army was supported by local islanders even though it was weak resulting in American troops killing anyone who looked Filipino.
Historians estimate that about 220,00 Filipinos died in war-related deaths. The island of Luzon lost 1/8 of its population. It took the US army 3 years to gain full control of the islands.
Many died of famine, violence, and disease. These deaths tore apart everything from families to cities.
Imperialists: supported US imperialism in Philippines for coaling stations for US ships and gateway for expansion to China. Imperialists decided that Filipinos were "uncivilized" and cluldnt govern themselves and essentially needed them. They wanted to "christianize" the Philippines not knowing the majority are Catholic. Propaganda portrayed Filipinos as "savages".
Anti-Imperialists: did not support US imperialism and the brutal torture and murders it caused and felt it was anti-democratic and violation of nations heritage. Editorials amd petitions were sent to congress and soon Anti-Imperialist League was formed and reached 100,000 members.
Attitudes about race divided the anti-imperialists. Some opposed annexation because they didnt want a "primitive race" to join the US. Others argued that the idea od "civilizing" and "uplifting" the Filipinos was hypocritical since the African-Americans were so discriminated against back in the US.
The League eventually fell apart and faded in power. Most of the members eventually proceeded to join the imperialist groups.
