Imperialists v Anti-Imperialists 法国大学美国历史课件.pptVIP

Imperialists v. Anti-Imperialists The US in Asia and Latin America 1899-1917 The Anti-Imperialist League Although the Spanish-American war was a popular one, several intellectuals and some businessmen argued vigorously against the annexation of the Philippines. Among them were Mark Twain, William Jennings Bryant, and Andrew Carnegie. Some anti-imperialists appealed to principle, citing the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution: conquest of a people against their will violated the concept of self-determination. Others argued that the US could acquire markets without having to subjugate foreign peoples. Racists didn’t want non-White representatives and senators in the future (see cartoons.) Still others claimed that empire would force the President to repeatedly have to dispatch troops overseas to maintain order; and because he was the commander-in-chief of the Army and Navy, he would not need congressional approval to do so, which would disrupt the checks-and-balances system. Finally, reform-minded critics emphasized domestic priorities over foreign ventures. Together, they founded the Anti-Imperialist League in 1899, but they disagreed so much over domestic issues that they were never able to speak with one voice on a foreign question. They also appeared inconsistent: Carnegie accepted colonies if they were not acquired by force; while Senator Hoar of Massachusetts voted for annexation of Hawaii but not of the Philippines. Finally, possession of the Philippines was an established fact, and they couldnt do anything about it. Caricature of Mark Twain as a “savage”? Imperialists Imperialists responded with appeals to patriotism, the new Manifest Destiny and commerce. Among their arguments, the emergence of Germany and Japan as two powerful international competitors made it seem necessary to protect the Philippines from their imperialistic greed, and national honor dictated that Americans should keep what they had shed blood to take. The Treaty