America's Role In The Spanish-American War

Introduction

The scene is set; America is the great power in the western hemisphere. Post Spanish-American War, America is faced with a dilemma of annexing the Philippines. In the winter of 1899 following the annexation of the Philippines, America had a problem. Filipinos had been fighting for independence from Spain and did not want to be seceded (83). Despite the Filipino objection, the United States displayed their assertion on the land. In conflict, both the Filipinos and American had many meetings with death. There were consequences and repercussions from invoking the American power on this foreign land. The American victory in the Spanish-American War helped propel the nation. Thesis: Although met with conflict from the natives, the

threat to masculinity, and Imperialist influences, lead America to annex the Philippines.

Question 1: According to the essay (Source 1), how did concerns about American masculinity influence the decision to annex the Philippines?
American Imperialists indicated they had a duty to govern the Filipinos(84). There was a claim that the natives of the Philippines were unmanly and unfit to govern themselves. There was an idea that, acquiring “colonies would keep American men and their political system from degenerating”. The main question of what was to come of America, if the martial spirit were to decline and what was to come with the “effeminate tendencies”(84). In an article from Century Magazine vocalized the idea that it is for “…manhood, the nobility, the character of its people and not the extent of its territory, that makes a country great”(86). Later stating that this historic event helped men “vitalize” their manhood. With fear of the degeneration of men displayed heavily, source one, relays the concerns of the men in power to pursue the annexation of the Philippines.

Question 1a: What developments in American society reinforced these concerns by the time Americans debated the fate of the Philippines?
Prior to the Spanish-American War, America transformed tremendously by means of industrialism. In the source one, Theodore Roosevelt mentioned some concerns in a letter stating, “I should be a fool if I did not see grave cause for anxiety in some of the social tendencies of the day: the growth of luxury throughout the English-speaking world; and especially the gradual diminishing birth rate…”(85). The luxuries from the industrialization had created a fear that man had become soft, self-seeking, and materialistic (85). The Industrialization of America also brought about women working outside of the family duties. James C. Ferald voiced the concern of women pursuing the masculine job and not the feminine job(85). Ferald also scrutinized the women’s dress, saying that the “high, square shoulders” were a threat against masculinity in the country. In summary, Ferald believed the pursuits and strife on foreign land would cure the American man of the domestic effeminizing. The change in society was not seen as a forward movement; on the contrary, domestic progress was thought to be a step backwards. Thus, the fate of the Philippines was decided.

Question 1b: According to the essay, were annexationists’ concerns about masculinity an important independent factor in the American decision to hold the Philippines or important only because they reinforced the influence of other factors?
There were many factors leading to the annexation of the Philippines. Imperialist were concerned about many factors and events leading up to the decision. Although masculinity was not the main reason for annexation, it was the ingredient upon which many factors depended on. As stated earlier, the fast expansion of industrialism and lack of martial endeavors all helped kindle the thoughts of the country’s movement toward “effeminate tendencies”(84). Lack of masculinity validated and amplified the opinions of each event that contributed to the annexation. The fear of the Imperialist was even found in politics. Case in point is the vocal anti-annexationists or as the book refers to them as, “antis”. Roosevelt felt that the timid antis did not want to “play the part of men”(88). Years in the making, the country was prepared for a release of opinion into action.

Question 2: Do the primary sources indicate that views about gender played a role in the debate over the Philippines?
The many primary sources displayed gender views that played a role in the annexation action by the United States.

The first cartoon, “Recommended by Hoar”, shows Uncle Sam feeding a child in his arms wrapped in a blanket labeled the Philippines and a bowl of soup labeled civilization and education(90). Uncle Sam is taking care of the child while the smaller man named, Hoar, is trying to convince him to give the child to the nurse. The nurse labeled Philippines Independence is riddled with degrading names such as ignorance, theft, piracy, and murder. An observation of Uncle Sam’s height to the height of Hoar presents an example of gender qualities in this print. Also, a man, Uncle Sam has to step in when the woman, Philippines Independence, is not a good influence. Although, the commentary on this cartoon states, “opposition of Massachusetts Senator George Hoar to Philippines Annexation”, this cartoon is stating the need for America to separate Philippines from such societal problems. The second cartoon, “The Anti-Expansion Ticket for 1900”, displays the lack of masculinity of Senator Hoar by characterizing him to be a woman playing a drum(91). Characterizing Senator Hoar as a woman alludes to his lack of patriotism and poor stance on Imperialism. The third cartoon, “The White Man’s Burden”, shows a largely masculine man with large stride carrying an indigenous person up the hill toward a schoolhouse(92). This displays the need for the manly American in the uneducated and

indigenous areas. The final cartoon, “The Filipino’s First Bath”, shows President McKinley bathing a child labeled, Cuba(93). In the background there are similar children that have the post-bath appearance. Bathing these children in the water labeled, Civilization, is the work America should do lead by President McKinley and the Capital building behind him. Apart from cartoons, “The Strenuous Life”, written by Theodore Roosevelt expresses his thoughts on American Imperialism. In this speech He says, “…We admire the man who embodies victorious effort…When men fear work or fear righteous war, when women fear motherhood, they tremble on the brink of doom; and well it is that they should vanish from the earth, where they are fit subjects for the scorn of all men and women who are themselves strong and brave and high minded…” (94-95). If this was not harsh enough words, Roosevelt also states, other countries “stronger”, and “manlier” would take this opportunity to do the work of “high-spirited nations”, would be, “eager to undertake”(95.) Without doubt, Roosevelt was speaking to the Anti-Imperialist and Anti-martial spirit of the Americans using key gender characteristic to emphasis his point. As stated, many of these primary sources show a display of gender and how it affected the later action to annex the Philippines.

Question 2a: Is there evidence that annexationists’ fears about masculinity were connected to other concerns or desires?
There are evidences that annexation fears connect masculinity to the other concerns of the nation. In a meeting with the Methodist Episcopal Church President McKinley was recorded to say one reason for annexation, was fear of being seen as “cowardly and dishonorable”(96). Foreign posture would be tarnished and make the country’s leader look weak. Weakness would be as Roosevelt said in, “The Strenuous Life”, “We do not admire the man of timid peace.”(94). Timid, weak, and cowardice are not seen to be natural attributes of an American man. It is simple to see direct language relating to the masculinity of man, but what men say about certain topics sufficiently display the desire to not be seen as emasculate and soft men. Driven by competiveness, some in this nation had reviewed the fear of another taking the Philippine and the spoils that would benefit America. In the speech, “In Support of an American Empire”, by Albert Beveridge, he says, “Every other progressive nation stands ready to relive us.”(98). If America does not take advantage of this opportunity strengthen commerce through annexation, any other country would be ready to take the lead. Thus, making America look weak. Outside of the direct language, American politics made clear, being seen as less then manly in Imperialism was not an option.

Question 3: Do you agree with the author’s explanation for the American annexation of the Philippines? Question 3a: Compared to other factors, how important were the gender concerns that she identifies? Question 3b: Were there more important issues in the minds of expansion?
Both the author of this paper and the author of the secondary article in chapter 4 are in agreement.

After analyzing the primary articles, this author read the closing argument of Hoganson’s arguments. This author continues to agree with Hoganson’s claim and evidence that the annexation of the Philippines was an answer to the degradation of masculinity. It is clear there is a direct appeal to a need for masculinity, but in many other factors to annex the Philippines, masculinity is displayed. The need to show the world the masculine qualities of American men had a large role in the actions in annexing the Philippines. If America did not annex, another country would take over that land and leave Americans with a weak name. The gender concerns were of high value because they had roots in many other factors to ultimately make the decision America

made.

Conclusion
This author realizes the difference between primary and secondary sources, the amount of time between them and even more important the interpretation of the factors leading the politics of the time. The introduction of a change in society set some politicians to see the annexation of the Philippines as a multi purpose action to educate the Filipinos, lead a people group, map a new trade market and most importantly strengthen the men of America. Expansionists and Imperialists lead the nation to the land that would become territory of the United States.