1. AMERICAN EMPIRE AND THE PHILIPPINES The aftermath of the Spanish-American War

2. THE SPANISH- AMERICAN WAR The Rough Riders Mort Kunstler, 1984

3. THE “SPLENDID LITTLE WAR” Congress declares war on Spain – April 25, 1898 Commodore George Dewey immediately moves on the Philippines

4. WAIT! WHAT ARE THE PHILIPPINES? Island nation in Southeast Asia Spanish colony since 1521 Filipino nationalists had been fighting the Spanish since 1896 Here they are!

5. THE “SPLENDID LITTLE WAR” Congress declares war on Spain – April 25, 1898 Commodore George Dewey immediately moves on the Philippines Dewey defeats Spain’s navy at Manila Bay on May 1 US wins land and naval victories in Cuba in summer 1898 Armistice signed on August 12, leading to peace negotiations War officially ends with the Treaty of Paris – signed December 10

6. THE TREATY OF PARIS Signed December 10, 1898 Ends the Spanish-American War Guarantees Cuba’s independence Spain gives Guam and Puerto Rico to the US Spain sells the Philippines to the US for $20 million But the Senate still must ratify

7. USA Spain Cuba Philippines

8. WHAT TO DO WITH THE PHILIPPINES? President William McKinley

9. THE AMERICAN DILEMMA The Philippines had been a Spanish colony for nearly 400 years America had just fought a war in the name of “liberating” Cuba from imperial occupation The US had relied on the help of Filipino rebels in defeating Spain But the US also wanted to expand its holdings around the world What should America do with its new possession in the Philippines?

10. THREE OPTIONS 1. Annex the Philippines; create an empire 2. Give independence to the Philippines; turn away from empire 3. Take control of Manila only; focus on economic interests

11. THREE PERSPECTIVES TO CONSIDER Economic – what action will help the US economy? Political/Military – what action will best promote American power in the world? Political/Moral – what action will best promote America’s principles of freedom, democracy, and progress?

12. THE ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE Philippines = gateway to trade with Asia China = major market for American exports Colonization costs money Possibility of competing with cheap Filipino labor

13. THE POLITICAL/MILITARY PERSPECTIVE All the other major powers have colonies! Philippines = valuable strategic location But then we have to defend it…

14. THE POLITICAL/MORAL PERSPECTIVE Social Darwinism + manifest destiny Spreading a superior way of life and religion Condescending and racist assumptions about Filipinos Imperialism as undemocratic