The founding of the American Imperialist League in 1898 was primarily motivated by the annexation of the Philippines. The league was formed in response to the geopolitical changes following the Spanish-American War, during which the United States acquired various territories, including the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
While the annexation of Hawaii was significant, it occurred earlier, in 1898, and was not directly related to the formation of the league. The discussions regarding the Panama Canal were also separate from this immediate context of imperial expansion.
The American Imperialist League was established to promote and justify American imperialism, particularly in the context of the newly gained territories from the war and the debate over their annexation and governance. The acquisition of the Philippines sparked considerable debate about imperialism in the U.S. and fueled the creation of organizations like the American Imperialist League that supported expansionist policies.
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