Naila Ahmed
12/12/16
F Block
Imperialism Research Project Outline
Introduction
Background
Occurring from 1870 to 1914, the Age of Imperialism was an era in which industrializing nations rapidly extended their authority through acquiring territory or establishing political or economic dominance over a territory
Although many in the U.S. opposed imperial rule over other countries due to the abandonment of American ideals of self-government and freedom, the U.S. imperialized many countries including the Philippines
Before U.S. control, the Philippines had already been under heavy imperial rule for over 300 years by Spain and yearned for independence
Present the Question
The U.S. assumed that by governing the Philippines, they would be able to help transform the Filipinos who were seen as “primitive savages”
Thesis Statement
However, United States imperialism failed to benefit the people of the Philippines for the exploitation of Filipino resources greatly encouraged the growth of the U.S.’ extractive economy and military power with Asia. In addition, the U.S. fulfilled their need to spread their culture and religion to the Philippines which was unwanted by the Filipinos.
Body Paragraph #1: American Takeover of the Philippines
Topic Sentence
The United States’ victory in the Spanish-American war forced Spain to cede its colonies to the U.S.
Supporting Details
Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American war originated in the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain. The violent conflict caught America’s attention because of the economic and political instability that it produced in a region so close to the U.S. However, the U.S. had taken little interest in Spain’s possession of the Philippines at the time. The mysterious sinking of the U.S. battleship Maine was the tipping point of U.S. involvement in the Cuban struggle, and President William Mckinley sent for a declaration of war against Spain (school.eb.com/levels/high/article/68989).
Treaty of Paris
With the victory of the U.S. over Spain in the war, the Treaty of Paris was signed by representatives of both countries in Paris in order to conclude the war. The treaty allowed the U.S. to hold Manila, Philippines until the disposition of the Philippines had been determined. President William Mckinley had decided that the U.S. must take possession of the Philippines. Spain accepted the U.S.’ decision, but declared that the U.S. would have to pay $20 million nominally for public buildings and public works created by Spain in the Philippines (school.eb.com/levels/high/article/58483).
Body Paragraph #2: Motivations of the U.S.
Topic Sentence
The U.S. believed that by imperializing the Philippines, they would help their own economy grow and maintain their political stature over other nations. In addition, the U.S. argued that they would help the Philippines by spreading Christianity and civilizing the Filipinos.
Supporting Details
Economic Motivations
Imperial enthusiasts pointed out that trading with the Philippines would be a “gateway to the China market” (Burns). → widened U.S. trade opportunities with the rest of Asia
“American manufacturers supported free trade, hoping to secure in the Philippines both inexpensive raw materials and markets for finished goods” (Kramer, 1095-1098). → the U.S. needed to acquire raw materials and expand their markets
Religious Motivations
President William McKinley declared that it was the U.S.’ duty to, “christianize them, and by God’s grace do the very best we could by them” (Rusling, 3). → Describing it almost like the will of God, Mckinley decides that the U.S. has to spread Christianity to the Philippines
Political/Nationalistic Motivations
President McKinley declared “that we could not turn them over to France or Germany – our commercial rivals in the Orient – that would be bad business and discreditable” (Rusling, 3). → The U.S. needed to maintain their political power and stature over other nations
Social Motivations
Social Darwinism → Darwinists believed that those who were better adapted are superior and should bring progress to those who aren’t as adapted
Racism → Racists believed that certain races are superior
President Mckinley declared “that we could not leave them to themselves – they were unfit for self-government – and they would soon have anarchy and misrule over there worse than Spain’s was and that there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize [them]” (Rusling, 3). → The U.S.’ social darwinist and racial beliefs led them to believe that the primitive Filipinos would be unable to rule themselves and that they needed the U.S. to civilize and educate them
Body Paragraph #3: Filipino Reaction to Imperial Rule
Topic Sentence
Supporting Details
The Filipinos had been trying to rid themselves of Spanish rule which they had been under for over 300 years, so they had fought with the Americans against the Spanish in the Spanish-American war, thinking that the Americans were there to liberate them in the same way they were liberating Cuba. When their hopes for freedom failed to materialize and the Americans did not go home, the Filipinos felt betrayed by the U.S.. This led tension to form between the U.S. and the Philippines, causing the Filipinos to feel strongly opposed toward American imperial rule. (Kramer, 1095-1098).
Body Paragraph #4: Philippine-American War
Topic Sentence
Supporting Details
On June 12th, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed independence for the Philippines after he came back from his exile (Sison).
However, after the Treaty of Paris was signed, and both the U.S. and Spain failed to acknowledge the Filipino’s independence, Aguinaldo denounced the treaty and declared a revolutionary government (tipping point) (Kramer, 1095-1098).
Body Paragraph #5: Filipino Independence
Topic Sentence
Supporting Details
“During the Great Depression powerful U.S.. agricultural producers—especially of sugar and oils—supported U.S.. separation from the Philippines as a protectionist measure to exclude competing Philippine goods” (Kramer 1095-1098). → U.S. separation from the Philippines would help U.S. producers to get rid of Filipino competition
In 1913, the Philippine Commission, the legislature and governor-general cabinet, became Filipino majority → This increased the Filipino voice in government
The 1916 Jones Act stated that the U.S. would “withdraw their sovereignty over the Philippine Islands as soon as a stable government can be established therein.”
Tydings Mcduffie Act
The Treaty of Manila
Body Paragraph #6: Benefits of Imperialism for the U.S.
Topic Sentence
Supporting Details
The Philippines was rich in natural resources such as hemp, copper, gold, silver, iron, and timber (Sumangil, 1).
“American colonial rule in the Philippines promoted an intensely dependent, export economy based on cash-crop agriculture and extractive industries like mining” (Kramer, 1095-1098). → By exploiting the Philippine’s resources like mining, America was able to grow their export economy and benefit themselves. “Extractive” industry is an institution that only benefits elites.
“Free trade promoted U.S.. investment, and American companies came to dominate Philippine factories, mills, and refineries” (Kramer, 1095-1098). → By exploiting Philippine factories, mills, and refineries, American companies were able to benefit themselves (capitalism)
Taft went so far as to claim that an end to the US imperial presence in the islands would ‘drive out capital; prevent capital from coming there’ (Burns).
“Those who supported U.S.. actions pointed to the Philippines’ value as a coaling station for U.S.. ships and naval bases” (Kramer, 1095-1098) → By exploiting the Philippine’s abundance of natural ports, the U.S. would be able to grow their trade industry and military
“Yet they were a nation that was by no means uncultured. They had their own cultural patterns, their own sets of values, their own well-developed arts and crafts, and to a certain extent their own literature” (Hosillos, 495) → The Filipinos already had their own culture
“In the Philippines, the colonial state introduced a secular, free public school system that emphasized the English language (believed by U. S. officials to be the inherent medium of “free” institutions)” (Kramer, 1095-1098) → Although the U.S. implemented a new education system, the U.S. used education to poison the Filipino way of thinking by forcing them to neglect and set aside their own culture in identity in order to prioritize American products and culture and fulfill their “white man’s burden”