Annexed Philippines Dbq

William McKinley in his thoughts on American Expansionism has identified the reasons why America had no other choice but to incorporate Philippines as a part of it. This writing has been lifted from the excerpts of an interview with William McKinley soon after Spain had surrendered in the Spanish-American war. McKinley cleverly talks in this interview about how Philippines just came and fell into the laps of America thereby suggesting the helpless stance of America. He talks about how America’s sole intention and purpose had only been to safeguard its own interests as a country. He had to order that the Spanish fleets in Manila be destroyed because if left unattended, they would have crossed the Pacific and wreaked havoc in the American states

When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, a string of ruthless dictators and weak presidents made Mexico an easy target for its powerful neighbor, the United States. The US swooped in to expand its territory and its popular institution of slavery. By doing so, the US started a war with Mexico that was justified for illegitimate reasons. The Mexican-American War was not justified because the US took Mexico’s land for the expansion of slavery, and justified their taking advantage of Mexico when it was politically weak by hiding behind Manifest Destiny.

Justified is defined as having, done for, or marked by a good or legitimate reason. Texas won its independence in 1836. America’s wars are often very controversial. The United States was justified in going to war with Mexico because of three main reasons: Americans were killed, Texas was already annexed, and Manifest Destiny allows it.

Source 4: “Important Dates in Puerto Rico.” Robinson Library.Com, The Robinson Library, 26 June 2017, www.robinsonlibrary.com/america/westindies/puertorico/dates.htm.

Rebellion for American wanted to keep control over the Philippines, they wanted to have a good presence

The Mexican American War started in 1846 because of Mexican resentment caused by the 1836 loss of Texas and the American’s desire for Mexico’s more northern territory. “On September 9, 1847 after two years of fighting, the Mexican American war essentially ended when the American Army captured Mexico City after the Battle of Chapultepec”( 6). The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war. United States leaders then acted morally superior in their negotiations of the treaty 1. During negotiations, United States officials viewed the “forcible incorporations” (1) of almost one half of Mexico’s land as an “event foreordained by providence and Manifest Destiny” (1). The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is written evidence of the biggest land acquisition in American history.

Since 1801, when Thomas Jefferson was sworn into presidency, Americans had become attracted to expansion. Their determination to expand is what led to the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the nation’s size. Even long after Jefferson, Americans desired more land; especially lands of the west. On April 25, 1846, the Mexican-American War began giving them the states of California and Texas. The Mexican-American war brought forth six . Three primary wars included the Battle of Palo Alto, the Battle of Monterey, and the Battle of Mexico City; these battles would only last for two years until the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed (February 2, 1848) .

Imagine inviting neighbors into one 's space and they take it for themselves. This is how Mexico felt in the Mexican-American war. Mexico had a substantial amount of land after declaring itself free from Spain. They wanted to increase the population by allowing U.S. settlers to come into Texas. However, this wasn’t a good idea because Americans had different beliefs on things such as slavery. After many fatal encounters between the two, America had gained control of the territory. They applied for annexation into the United States twice, but congress did not want to aggravate Mexican officials. Although, after James K. Polk was elected president in 1844, congress voted to annex Texas. The United States was not justified in the war with Mexico because they didn’t follow their laws, undisputed territory, and the idea of manifest destiny.

Unlike the viewpoint of Americans, Mexicans did not view the annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War justifiable. Americans did not have the right to invade in Mexico. Many politicians in the United States proclaimed that they should expand their territory by the annexation of Texas and Mexico. Americans justified the annexation with the idea of “Manifest Destiny”, an expression of idealized justification on the part of Americans that they have the God-given right to civilize all the nations.

Who started the Mexican-American War? Firstly, The United States went to Mexico in 1846. Texas declared its independence from Mexico in 1836. Certainly, Americans were being extremely greedy and wanted more and more land. Was the United States justified in going to war with Mexico? The United States was not justified in going to war with Mexico because they did not respect their laws, culture, and their beliefs.

Abraham Lincoln said :“No man is good enough to govern another man without that other’s consent.” In 1898 America won the Spanish-American War and during the aftermath the US was faced with a few choices when it came to the Philippines: hand the Philippines back to Spain, give the Philippines independence, or the US could annex the Philippines. The act of annexation was imperialistic, and imperialism was the practice of building an empire by founding colonies or conquering other nations. In the end the US decided to annex the Philippines, welcoming them to be a part of the US territory. Should the United States have annexed the Philippines? The US should not have annexed the Philippines because it would be hypocritical of Americans, the

Haynes’ biography of James K. Polk is a little bit different from the traditional biographical book with enumeration of important dates from life of historical figure. Instead the author takes different approach: while recounting development of Polk’s career, he looks at the Polk’s presidency through the lens of expansionism. Though he frames the 11th President as a strong adherent of aggressive territorial expansionism, Haynes also emphasises that Polk’s decisions cannot be separated from the political and social climate of his time. The author renders Polk from one side as the initiator of expansionists political moves, and from the other, as a product of contemporary social beliefs,

The annexation of Texas occurred in the early 1800’s. American colonists were expanding into the Northern sector of the Rio Grande, which developed the need for Texas to become a part of the United States. In the South, the people supported the drive toward the annexation of Texas, but the Northerners opposed this idea. Texas was another slave state and the nature of their society did not appear appealing to the North. Therefore, William Ellery Channing wrote a letter to the Senator of Texas, Henry Clay in 1837. In this letter he addresses the issues he felt would arise if Texas were to be added to the United States. One concern Channing had was that the Texas freedom from Mexico would result in a war, entangling America with England and other European countries. William Ellery Channing also felt the annexation would cause complications in America from the preservation of slavery, not only in Texas, but in other territories that the United States chose to takeover, which would force into a

As America became a great power, it has continued its legacy of territorial expansionism through neo-imperialist policies. Aside from acquiring land and expanding American territory, the United States has established policies that have allowed direct and often indirect military and political control, economic exploitation, and the introduction of American ideals. The U.S. has justified this form of colonialism by claiming that it is for mutual economic pursuits, the spreading of democracy, and the establishment of stable governments in developing countries. Despite America’s noble causes, American imperialism has caused many repercussions. The United States should cease to be an imperialist power as it is economically damaging to countries under its rule, costly to America, violates the fundamental American principle of self-governance, and exacerbates social and political situations in countries America has tampered with.

America wanted to civilize them from the issues that is occurring. According to Document 4, “America is trying to show how the Filipinos that America can make their “dreams” come true erasing their problems with freedom, education, and justice.” The Filipinos wanted the independence, making US leader seizing the opportunity to control the Philippines by showing pull factors. United States didn’t really care about the issues going on in the Philippines. Controlling Philippines allows the United States a mid pacific port for trade purists. American wanted to control the Philippines government to get closer to China for trading. Another interest is access to trading. According to Document 1, “Process of three hundred years of superstition in religion, dishonesty in dealing, disorder in habits of industry, and cruelty, caprice, and corruption in government. It is barely possible that 1,000 men in all archipelago are capable of self-government.” US President, McKinley believed they couldn’t govern themselves against other nations. Believing that US was required to civilize people by introducing them to American style of