U.S. Imperialism and the Filipino Experience
Thailand and Cultural Context
Locations Mentioned
Park Avion
BAH
Postage Regulation
History of U.S. Imperialism
Key Events
1848: Mexican-American War
Resulted in the annexation of Northern Mexico.
1867: Purchase of Alaska from Russia
Strategic potential as a gateway to annex Canada.
1898: Annexation of Hawaii
Significant for its strategic location in the Pacific.
General Outcome: All acquired territories were eventually incorporated into the U.S. as states.
The Spanish-American War (1898)
Acquisition of Territories
Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico.
Characteristics of U.S. Rule
These territories became U.S. colonies with a permanent “unequal” status.
Peoples in these territories were classified as U.S. nationals: neither “citizen” nor “alien.”
Responsibilities and rights of nationals:
Owed allegiance to the U.S.
Lacked rights of citizenship, e.g., no representative government in Congress and no right to a jury trial.
Subject to military draft.
Free movement within U.S. territories was permitted.
Political Cartoons and Public Sentiment
Visual Commentary
Depictions of sentiments surrounding the influx of immigrants and territorial expansion.
Iconography such as Uncle Sam reflecting on mass migrations.
Rationale for U.S. Expansionism
Key Influences
National prosperity linked to searching for new markets.
Ideologies:
Social Darwinism and Manifest Destiny promoting a perceived moral duty to expand.
Reverend Josiah Strong articulated the idea of a march toward Christian civilization.
Concepts of the White Man’s Burden, positing a duty to protect and civilize other nations.
Alleged Benefits:
Modernization efforts aimed at the welfare of the natives and economic progress.
Denial of imperialism framed as actions for the greater good.
Justification of Colonialism
Racial Ideologies
Suggest territories were inhabited by races deemed incapable of self-rule.
Filipinos and others from “colored races” portrayed as primitive and tribal.
Context of Filipino Migration to the U.S.
Pensionado System
First wave of Filipino migrants included sponsored students from elite families to study in American universities.
By WWI, many returned to lead nation-building in the Philippines.
Labor Migration
1910: Labor influx to Hawaii post-Gentleman’s Agreement with Japan
Post WWI, many Filipino laborers migrated to the mainland.
Demographics of Filipino Migrants
By 1920s: predominantly young males, typically single.
Occupations included:
Migrant agricultural laborers.
Cannery workers, domestic service, hospitality industry roles.