United States imperialism began in the late 19thcentury with its involvement in Cuba, Hawaii, Samoa, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Consider the following information regarding U.S. actions in the...

United States imperialism began in the late 19thcentury with its involvement in Cuba, Hawaii, Samoa, Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Consider the following information regarding U.S. actions in the Philippines and reply to the questions posed below:

• When the United States defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War and took control of the Philippine Islands, it decidednotto grant them independence.


• President McKinley justified this by claiming that the Philippines were not prepared for self-government, and were also vulnerable to control by other imperialist powers.


• He concluded that the mission of the United States must be to prepare the Filipino people for democracy by educating, civilizing and “Christianizing” them.


• The negative consequence of this decision was the bloody four-year war with the natives, which cost thousands and thousands of lives, both American and Filipino.


• The positive consequence of this decision was that under American control, new hospitals, schools, roads were built, Filipinos were inoculated against diseases, the infant mortality rate dropped dramatically, and a public health system was established.

Extra Credit assignment:Answer the following questions concerning American imperialism at the turn of the century, and American imperialism today. Try to cite information found in your text to support your opinions with as much factual evidence as you can. Feel free to search the web for information on the debate as well. Your answers should be at least 100 words (both questions combined). Submit it to Turnitin.com, using the link below.

Although the Philippines resisted American involvement and control, do you think that the U.S. was justified in its actions because of the positive benefits that resulted?

Today, the United States continues its mission to spread democracy around the world, although in a less direct manner than was the case in the Philippines. Do you think that America has the right or obligation to intervene in the internal affairs of other countries such as Iraq or Syria to promote democracy?