Spanish –American War of 1898

American imperialism
1. Continental
2. Global
 the belief that the United States was inherently responsible for bringing concepts such as
industry, democracy, and Christianity to less developed “savage” societies. 
 the United States was a unique nation, “proceeding along a path to which no limit can be
perceived.”-Alexis de Tocqueville
 Oppositionists formed the Anti-Imperialist League and including the ranks of such figures as
Andrew Carnegie, Samuel Gompers, William James, Jane Addams, Grover Cleveland,
and Mark Twain. They opposed imperialism on the grounds that it conflicted with the
American ideal of Republicans and the “consent of the governed.”
 Factors
 Manifest Destiny
American intervention in Cuba's struggle against
Spanish rule
Sinking of USS Maine
“Yellow Journalism”
Cuban Revolution of 1895
The battleship Maine
 Sent to Havana to protect American interests
 “Yellow Journalism”

 journalism that relies on eye-catching headlines,

exaggeration and sensationalism to increase sales.
 At the end of the 19th century journalism was still in its
infancy. There were no journalism schools, no company
ethics manuals, no journalism associations to enforce or
even suggest standards. The goal was to get readers, which
big city newspapers could now reach as a result of massive
investment in high-powered presses.
"You furnish the pictures, and I'll furnish the war.“
— William Randolph Hearst
 Battle of Manila Bay

 May 1, 1898
 Commodore George Dewey led a U.S.
naval squadron into Manila Bay in the
Philippines
 In total, fewer than 10 American
seamen were lost, while Spanish losses
were estimated at over 370. Manila
itself was occupied by U.S. troops by
August.
 Treaty of Paris

 December 10, 1898

 Spain renounced all claim to Cuba,
ceded Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States and
transferred sovereignty over the Philippines to the
United States for $20 million.
 Philippine-American War

 The Philippine-American War began in February of 1899 and lasted until 1902.
 Ten times more U.S. troops died suppressing revolts in the Philippines than in defeating Spain.
 The conflict arose when the First Philippine Republic objected to the terms of the Treaty of Paris, under which the
United States took possession of the Philippines from Spain after the Spanish-American War.
 The war resulted in an estimated 34,000 to 220,000 Philippine casualties (with more civilians dying from disease
and hunger brought about by war); the disestablishment of the Roman Catholic Church as the state religion; and
the introduction of the English language in the islands as the primary language of government, education,
business, and industry, and increasingly in future decades, of families and educated individuals.
McKinley's Benevolent Assimilation
Proclamation

EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON,
December 21, 1898.
 Basis

The destruction of the Spanish fleet in the harbor of

Manila by the United States naval squadron
commanded by Rear-Admiral Dewey, followed by the
reduction of the city and the surrender of the Spanish
forces, practically effected the conquest of the
Philippine Islands and the suspension of the Spanish
sovereignity therein.
With the signature of the treaty of peace between
the United States and Spain by their respective
plenipotentiaries at Paris on the 10th instant, and
as a result of the victories of American arms, the
future control, disposition, and government of the
Philippine Islands are ceded to the United States.
 Immediate order

 In performing this duty the military commander of the

United States is enjoined to make known to the inhabitants
of the Philippine Islands that in succeeding to the
sovereignty of Spain, in severing the former political
relations, and in establishing a new political power, the
authority of the United States is to be exerted for the
securing of the persons and property of the people of the
islands and for the confirmation of all their private rights
and relations.
It will be the duty of the commander of the forces of occupation
to announce and proclaim in the most public manner that we
come, not as invaders or conquerors, but as friends, to
protect the natives in their homes, in their employments, and in
their personal and religious rights. All persons who, either by
active aid or by honest submission, co-operate with the
Government of the United States to give effect to these
beneficent purposes will receive the reward of its support
and protection.
 Military role

All others will be brought within the lawful rule we have

assumed, with firmness if need be, but without severity,
so far as possible. Within the absolute domain of military
authority, which necessarily is and must remain
supreme in the ceded territory until the legislation of the
United States shall otherwise provide, the municipal laws
of the territory in respect to private rights and property
and the repression of crime are to be considered as
continuing in force, and to be administered by the
ordinary tribunals, so far as practicable.
 The operations of civil and municipal government are to be performed
by such officers as may accept the supremacy of the United States by
taking the oath of allegiance, or by officers chosen, as far as
practicable, from the inhabitants of the islands.
 While the control of all the public property and the revenues of the
state passes with the cession, and while the use and management of
all public means of transportation are necessarily reserved to the
authority of the United States, private property, whether belonging to
individuals or corporations, is to be respected except for cause duly
established.
 The taxes and duties heretofore payable by the inhabitants to the late
government become payable to the authorities of the United States
unless it be seen fit to substitute for them other reasonable rates or
modes of contribution to the expenses of government, whether general or
local. If private property be taken for military use, it shall be paid for when
possible in cash, at a fair valuation, and when payment in cash is not
practicable, receipts are to be given.
 All ports and places in the Philippine Islands in the actual possession of
the land and naval forces of the United States will be opened to the
commerce of all friendly nations.
 All goods and wares not prohibited for military reasons by due
announcement of the military authority will be admitted upon payment
of such duties and other charges as shall be in force at the time of their
importation.
 Finally, it should be the earnest wish and paramount aim of the military
administration to win the confidence, respect, and affection of the
inhabitants of the Philippines by assuring them in every possible way
that full measure of individual rights and liberties which is the heritage
of free peoples, and by proving to them that the mission of the United
States is one of BENEVOLENT ASSIMILATION substituting the mild
sway of justice and right for arbitrary rule.
 In the fulfillment of this high mission, supporting the temperate
administration of affairs for the greatest good of the governed,
there must be sedulously maintained the strong arm of authority,
to repress disturbance and to overcome all obstacles to the
bestowal of the blessings of good and stable government upon
the people of the Philippine Islands under the free flag of the
United States.
Context

 Refusal to include Filipinos in the Treaty of Paris

 Declaring Filipino insurgents as bandits
McKinley's
Benevolent
Assimilation
Proclamation
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON,
December 21, 1898.
Context:

Spanish –American War

Battle of Manila Bay
Treaty of Paris (December 10)
Sinking of the USS Maine
USS
Maine
 The Treaty of
Paris
Includes, among others,
the control, disposition,
and government of the
Philippine Islands. 
Main Features:
1. The extension of the military
government from Manila to the
whole of the Philippines
“It will be the duty of the
commander of the forces of
occupation to announce and
proclaim in the most public manner
that we come, not as invaders or
conquerors, but as friends, to
protect the natives in their homes, in
their employments, and in their
personal and religious rights.”
2. Preservation of law and order to secure persons and properties
3. Recognition of rights and relations
“All persons who, either by active
aid or by honest submission, co-
operate with the Government of
the United States to give effect to
these beneficent purposes will
receive the reward of its support
and protection. All others will be
brought within the lawful rule we
have assumed, with firmness if
need be, but without severity, so
far as possible.”
Military rule pending
US Congress legislation
4. Oath of allegiance in recognition of
the supremacy of the United States for
Filipinos
5. Assumption of government functions

Management of public
transportation, collection of
taxes and duties, taking of
private properties for military
use with compensation.
Opening of ports to international
commerce
 BENEVOLENT ASSIMILATION
“substituting the mild sway of justice and right
for arbitrary rule. In the fulfillment of this high
mission, supporting the temperate
administration of affairs for the greatest good of
the governed, there must be sedulously
maintained the strong arm of authority, to
repress disturbance and to overcome all
obstacles to the bestowal of the blessings of
good and stable government upon the people of
the Philippine Islands under the free flag of the
United States.”