McKinley's+decision

Philippines Home Page - Brief Background on Spanish-American War -Imperialism in Philippines- Independence Years - Works Consulted

=__//President McKinley's Decision and the Effect//__=

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The [|Philippine-American War] was a conflict between the United States and the First Republic of Philippine from 1899 through 1902, when the Filipino leadership eventually accepted American rule.

In 1898, a [|peace treaty] was signed with Spain. Spanish forces surrendered at Santiago, and several weeks earlier, US Navy destroyed Span’s Atlantic Naval Fleet. The American victory ended the chance that Spain could win the war. McKinley received a message from the Spanish government. Spain asked what he demands for peace. McKinley said that Spain must give up Cuba. It must also give to the United States the islands of Puerto Rico and Guam. Spain must also recognize the right of the US to occupy Manila in the Philippines. Spain agreed to stop fighting and accept American terms. McKinley eventually decided to take all of the Philippines because “they are not ready for self-government” He wanted to educate them, civilize them, and make them Christians. Mckinley said

"(1) That we could not give them back to Spain - that would be cowardly and dishonorable; (2) That we could not turn them over to France and Germany - our commercial rivals in the Orient - that would be bad business and discreditable; (3) that we could not leave them to themselves - they were unfit for self government- .... and (4) ... educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize ans Christianize them."

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With days of negotiation, Spain eventually agreed to give up the Philippines for 20 million dollars. Senetor [|Albert Beveridge] spoke in support of the treaty. He said the Pacific would be very important in the near future. Those who opposed the treaty set up Anti-imperialist groups. Those against the treaty such as president [|Cleveland], [|Andrew Carnegie], labor leader [|Samuel Gompers] believed that it will be costly to protect lands half way around th world. A large army and navy will be needed. Taking over the Philippines violates democratic ideas upon which the United States has been known for. William Jennings Bryan, leader of the democratic party urged democratic senetors to vote for the treaty. He was looking ahead to the next presidential election. He knew that the taking over the Philippines would be trouble. He could then put the blame for the trouble on all the republicans. Later, (if elected president) democrats could give the Philippines independence. He succeeded in getting 17 democrats in the senete to vote for the treaty. Violence broke out in the Philippines. Mckinley ordered American military government to extend control through the Philippines. The leader of the Philippine rebels, Aquialdo, opposed the order, and ordered his forces to prepare for a fight. 30,000 rebels attacked American forces. Sixty Americans were killed and nearly 3,000 wounded. The news of this rebel attack caused some Senetors to change their views over the Philippines. Those opposed to the treaty agreed with the Washington Star that stated that "the Filipinos must be taught to obey" When the senetors voted, 57 had voted yes while 27 voted no. The Philippines then belonged to the United States.

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