Imperialism In The Philippines

Imperialism is defined as the practice of exploiting nations for the benefit of another nation through either military, government or economics. The United States was and is one of the leading imperialistic countries of the world. There are several reasons for imperialism; belief that Americans are more superior and should dominate others to ensure national success, belief that Christianity and American culture should be spread around the globe, belief that through imperialism it would ensure the country’s security, and belief that American prosperity depends on access to foreign goods and markets. Most Americans were in favor of imperialism under the belief that America needed to open trade with other countries in order to prosper. This

Some believed the Filipino people needed to be civilized, others said it would give America a way in to the Asian markets, others believed it was for the best of the native people that America acquire it instead of the Germans or Japanese, and others believed it was survival of the fittest and in order for America to survive it needed to acquire territories. In February of 1899 Congress agreed to acquire the Philippines. The Filipino people did not agree with this and fought back in a war that resulted in America using similar tactics the Spanish used including concentration camps. The American people did not agree with this war but before anything else could be done the military had all ready suppressed the Filipinos and maintained its grip on the

After defeating Spain America had all ready gained control over Cuba and Puerto Rico, but the fight had delayed the building of the Panama Canal which had been the main interest since the beginning of the imperialist movement. With the annexation of Hawaii along with the acquirement of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines President Theodore Roosevelt aggressively pursued the building of the canal. After he persuaded Britain to no longer pursue the canal jointly President Roosevelt bought the French’s rights to Panama for forty million dollars. For the Columbian side President Roosevelt offered ten million dollars and an annual payment of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Columbia was not interested in however because France’s rights to Panama were expiring and if Columbia could stall the deal then they would then have to be paid the forty million dollars as Columbia would hold the rights to Panama after France’s had expired. In response to this President Roosevelt, with the help of a Frenchman, sparked an all ready smoldering revolt in Panama against Columbia and then prevented Columbian troops from entering Panama and Columbia relented. In 1904 Panama became a US protectorate and the Panama Canal was built in