American imperialism had a profoundly negative impact on indigenous populations, fundamentally contradicting the principles of liberty and self-governance that the nation espoused. The "Anti-Imperialist Platform" vehemently denounces the "criminal aggression" against the Filipinos, highlighting their suffering as a "needless horror" resulting from America's pursuit of empire. Historian George F. Hoar, in his speech, lamented the potential abandonment of core American values, warning that governing "great masses of people, aliens in birth, of strange language, of different religions" could lead to a loss of the American spirit, ultimately harming both the nation and its victims. Such subjugation serves as a betrayal of those foundational ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Discuss the negative impact of American imperialism on indigenous populations. Cite instances of foreign conflict. Provide historical detail. (Impact abroad.) use only what I provide and quotes from only what I provide 4 sentences.
“Anti-Imperialist Platform”
At the National Conference of Anti-Imperialists in Chicago, October 17, the following address to the people of the United States was adopted:
“The War Is a Criminal Aggression”
“We regret that it has become necessary in the land of Washington and Lincoln to reaffirm that all men, of whatever race or color, are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We maintain that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. We insist that the subjugation of any people is ‘criminal aggression’ and open disloyalty to the distinctive principles of our government.
“We deplore the sacrifice of our soldiers and sailors, whose bravery deserves admiration even in an unjust war. We denounce the slaughter of the Filipinos as a needless horror. We demand the immediate cessation of the war against liberty begun by Spain and continued by us. We urge that Congress be promptly convened to announce to the Philippines our purpose to concede to them the independence for which they have so long fought and which of right is theirs.
“The United States has always protested against the doctrine of international law which permits the subjugation of the weak by the strong. A self-governing state cannot accept sovereignty over an unwilling people. The United States cannot act upon the ancient heresy that might makes right.
“Imperialists assume that with the destruction by American hands of self-government in the Philippines all opposition here will cease. This is a grievous error. Much as we abhor the ‘criminal aggression’ in the Philippines, greatly as we regret that the blood of the Filipinos is on American hands, we more deeply resent the betrayal of American institutions at home.
“The real firing line is not in the suburbs of Manila. The enemy is of our own household. The attempt of 1899 is to destroy its fundamental principles and noblest ideals. Whether the ruthless slaughter of the Filipinos shall end next month or next year is but an incident in a contest that must go on until the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States are rescued from the hands of their betrayers.
“Those that dispute about standards of values while the foundation of the Republic is undermined will be listened to as little as those who would wrangle about the small economics of the household while the house is on fire.
“We propose to contribute to the defeat of any person or party that stands for the forcible subjugation of any people. We shall oppose for re-election all who in the White House or Congress betray American liberty in pursuit of un-American ends, and hope that both our great political parties will support and defend the Declaration of Independence in the closing campaign of the century.”
“The Opinion of Massachusetts on Imperialism”
Extract from the Speech of Senator George F. Hoar, to the Massachusetts Club, July 29, 1898.
Her opinions on such questions are the fruit of nearly 300 years of a great and honorable history. She will not depart from the Declaration of Independence. She will not depart from the doctrines of liberty laid down in her own Constitution. She will not consent to be the ruler over vassal States or subject peoples. She will enter upon no mad career of empire in distant seas. She will not seek to force her trade upon unwilling peoples at the cannon’s mouth. She will not exact tribute or revenues from men who have no voice in regard to them. She will not consent to enter with the powers of Europe into any partnership, alliance or contest for the plunder of China or the division of Africa, or for the subjugation of the eastern archipelagoes, or for compelling unwilling peoples to trade with her. If the American flag appear in the East, it will be as the emblem of their liberty and not of their dominion. She will desire to meet the great responsibilities which the end of the war seems likely to bring to the American people solely in the interests of the provinces we may deliver from Spain and not for our own. The power of the United States is to be exerted through example and influence, and not by force.
It will be a sad thing for the country, it will be a sad thing for mankind, if the people of the United States come to abandon their fundamental doctrine. We are giving it a hard strain in our dealing with the negro at the South. We are giving it a hard strain in our dealing with the great problem of immigration. But it cannot stand if this country undertake also to exercise dominion over conquered islands, over vassal States, over subject races; if in addition to the differences of race and the differences of education we attempt to govern great masses of people, aliens in birth, of strange language, of different religions. If we do it, our spirit will not, I am afraid—God grant that I may be wrong—the American spirit will not enter into and possess them, but their spirit will enter into and possess us.
An aristocracy or a monarchy may govern subject States. It never was done and never will be done successfully by a democracy or republic.
—Save the Republic: Anti-Imperialist Leaflet No. 13, Anti-Imperialist League, Washington, D.C., 1899
—In Freedom’s Name No. 3, Anti-Imperialist League, Washington, D.C., 1899
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