American Imperialism and the Philippine-American War

Station 1 – American Imperialism

  • Context: The United States engaged in a brief conflict known as the Spanish-American War, lasting sixteen weeks (four months).

  • Outcome: The U.S. emerged victorious, as described by the American Secretary of State as “a splendid little war.”

    • Territorial Gains: The United States acquired three island territories:

    • Puerto Rico

    • Guam

    • The Philippines

  • Impact on Spain: The Treaty of Paris (1898) resulted in Spain losing almost all of its colonial empire.

  • American Sentiment:

    • Supporters: Proponents of manifest destiny saw imperialism as a natural progression for the United States, believing in the necessity of expanding the nation’s reach.

    • Opponents: Many Americans opposed this expansion, recalling the negative effects of colonialism and British rule that their ancestors experienced.

Station 2 – Proposed Annexation of the Philippines

  • Presidential Advocacy: President McKinley advocated for the annexation of the Philippines during the negotiations of the Treaty of Paris in October 1898:

    • Rationale for Annexation:

    • McKinley argued that acquiring the Philippines would enhance trade relations with China.

    • He stressed the strategic importance of the islands, highlighting their role in providing essential goods like sugar.

    • The presence of German and Japanese naval forces around the Philippines reinforced his belief that the U.S. must take control to prevent other powers from exploiting the territory.

    • Quote from McKinley: “We do not want to shirk a single responsibility that has been put upon us by the results of the war.”

  • Filipino Opposition: Many Filipinos opposed U.S. annexation:

    • Emilio Aguinaldo, a leader of the rebellion against Spanish rule, felt betrayed. He believed the U.S. had promised independence to the Filipinos.

    • Aguinaldo viewed the transition from Spanish colonial rule to American governance as a continuation of oppression, igniting his resolve to resist further.

Station 3 - A Brutal Guerilla War

  • Immediate Conflict: The Philippine-American War erupted within two days of ratifying the Treaty of Paris.

  • Initial Filipino Actions: Aguinaldo declared the largest island of the Philippines a republic, prompting a military response from the United States.

    • McKinley’s Response: He dispatched naval forces to suppress the insurgency.

  • American Military Strategy:

    • In 1899, the U.S. Army initially defeated the Filipinos in open battles.

    • Shift to Guerrilla Warfare:

    • Aguinaldo's forces transitioned to guerrilla tactics, which included:

      • Sabotage

      • Ambushes

      • Surprise raids

    • Advantages of Filipino Forces:

      • Knowledge of local geography.

      • Ability to blend in with civilian populations, making enemy targeting difficult.

  • American Countermeasures:

    • The U.S. military responded with brutal tactics such as:

    • Torturing Filipino prisoners for intelligence.

    • Burning villages and relocating populations to poorly supplied camps, exacerbating civilian suffering.

Station 4 – Anti-Imperialist League

  • Domestic Reaction: Public sympathy for the soldiers’ brutal tactics declined as reports surfaced, prompting anti-imperialist sentiments to surface.

  • Formation of Organizations:

    • The American Anti-Imperialist League was established as a response to McKinley’s imperialistic policies.

    • Public opinion shifted to the belief that the existing empire should be preserved but not expanded further.

  • Soldier Sentiments: Some soldiers expressed confusion regarding their purpose in the war:

    • One soldier remarked, “I am not afraid, and am always ready to do my duty, but I would like someone to tell me what we are fighting for.”

    • A Minnesota general reflected, “It seems to me that we are doing something that is contrary to our principles in the past.”

Station 5 – Capture of Emilio Aguinaldo

  • End of the Rebellion: Aguinaldo was captured by American forces in 1901, marking a significant turning point in the conflict.

  • Post-Capture Developments:

    • Although minor uprisings occurred afterwards, they lacked organization and momentum without Aguinaldo's leadership.

    • Aguinaldo took an oath of allegiance to the U.S., leading to a gradual disbandment of the rebel forces.

  • Formal Conclusion:

    • On July 4, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt declared an end to the war and forgave the Filipino nationalists.

  • Human Cost: The war had devastating effects:

    • U.S. casualties: 4,200 American soldiers.

    • Filipino casualties: over 20,000 rebel fighters.

    • Civilian deaths: approximately 200,000 Filipinos lost their lives due to warfare, starvation, and disease.

  • Delayed Independence: The Philippines did not achieve independence until 1946.

Station 6 - Primary Source

  • Letter from Galicano Apacible (1899):

    • Key Questions Raised by Apacible:

    • Why do the imperialists wish to subjugate us?

    • What do they intend to do with us?

    • Do they expect us to surrender our inalienable rights to the absolute control of the United States?

    • What are the implications for the future governance of the Filipino people?

    • Would we be allowed to participate in U.S. elections, or would we be taxed without representation?

  • Historical Significance: This letter reflects the sentiments of many Filipinos, questioning American intentions and highlighting issues of sovereignty, rights, and representation.