We continue our lesson in American Imperialism, take whatever angle you wish to look at the issue. It is your prerogative, but please dont impose on others on what you see and understand because every member of this group has its own take on the issue. - Renato Perdon, author ‘American Expansion to the Pacific’ By Renato Perdon, Sydney, Australia ‘Our institutions will follow our flag on the wings of commerce. And American law, American order, American civilization, and the American flag will plant themselves on shores hitherto bloody and benighted,’ Senator A. J. Beveridge In April 1898, America declared war against Spain. The conflict which became known as the Spanish-American War lasted one hundred and thirteen days. The Americans won the war and as a consequence inherited Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, as booties of war. The acquisition of the Spanish colonies signaled the territorial expansion of the United States, outside its boundary, into the Pacific. Indeed, the period between 1898 and 1902 was a turning point in the development of America as a world power. It was the birth of an empire and the emergence of the United States as a paramount world power. America at last was recognized and accorded a status of a colonial power, the same stature given to Germany, France, Great Britain, Russia and Japan, the ruling imperial powers of the period. However, the push beyond the continental boundaries into Asia and the Pacific and the attainment of its imperial status produced long term consequences, not only for American citizens but also for the inhabitants of the lands the United States dominated. For one, the inclusion of the Philippines in the American empire became one of the burning issues in American politics at the beginning of the 20th century. It was a question that encompassed political economic, moral, raical and social issues. As a nation, the United States rose from relative isolation to take its place and responsibility and became an influential force in world affairs. After a short period of waiting and hesitation, the United States through its military, maritime, financial and political resources, decided ‘to have a voice in re-sharping the world’s political order.’ In competing for international influence and colonies in the late 19th century, the US reached for and established itself as a giant and dominant economic power, not only in Asia but in Latin America, as well. Looking back over a little more than a hundred years, American history is characterized by continuous territorial expansion that affected the lives of many non-white victims, like the native American Indians, Spanish and French creoles, Mexican pioneers, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Samoans, Guamanians, Hawaiians, Filipinos and other Pacific islanders. In building its empire, the United States had added contiguous, as well as non- contiguous territories to its original map. In continental America, for instance, within a span of less than a hundred years, a marvelous expansion from the Applachians to the Pacific took place. The early American settlers initially occupied the Atlantic coast and soon after secured Kentucky and the Northwest territories. Louisiana was purchased from France in 1803 and Florida was ceded from Spain in 1813. As a result of war with Mexico in 1848, the greater west and Mexican California became part of the United States. In 1867, Alaska was acquired. Meanwhile, the internal focus of attention within the American continent until the early part of 1898, kept the United States out of the race for colonial possessions beyond its boundary. The penetration of the under populated areas of the American continent was considered by the majority as a ‘natural’ act, although succeeding events indicated that the expansion across the vast American continent and finally out into the Pacific was driven by capitalism. On the other hand, territorial acquisition beyond contiguous areas was viewed in a different light. In his book Benevolent Assimilation:The American Conquest of the Philippines, 1898-1903, Stuart Creighton Miller commented that ‘it was this link between the extension of democracy and the westward march that made it easier for Americans to view innocently their bloody conquest of the Philippines [and other non-contiguous territories] as a continuation of the western expansion of democracy.’ In 1890, the Americans, in the word of military strategist and great apostle of American expansionism, Alfred Thayer Mahan, were ‘looking outward’ beyond their horizon. At that stage, America had no colonial territories of its own. Its products were not guaranteed foreign markets and its overseas markets were not protected. Its maritime strength was no match compared to Great Britain, France or Germany. On the sidelines, America was strongly nurturing the spirit of adventure and this ‘mission of civilization’ was a force that was waiting in the wings. When the Spanish-American War came, it was viewed as a heaven-sent opportunity to enter the race for colonies. The urge to become an imperial power took an unprecedented upsurge. Many authorities on the subject agreed that the American industrial revolution provided the impetus for the United States to enter the global stage by the end of the 19th century. It is impossible for anyone who has studied American history not to be amazed by the rapidity of American industrial development in the 1880s. It was swift and precise. The imperial surge followed an era of very impressive post-Civil war economic growth and activity, with American corporations and monopolies playing important parts. By the end of the 1890s, American agricultural and industrial productivity, supported by advanced technological know how, had surpassed the leading industrialized countries of Europe. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, European powers were scrambling for colonies, protectorates and spheres of influence. The Europeans penetrated the Indo-Chinese peninsula and the struggle for spheres of influence in China followed. The Chinese empire was transformed into a multilateral protectorate, guaranteed by the leading industrialized countries of the world. There was a strong belief among the imperial powers that civilization was their responsibility and it was their duty to acquire colonies, colonize, and subjugate people they believed to be of inferior race. Modern military technology became the instrument of the West in carrying out their self-assumed mission. This development in Europe favored the Americans who considered their own political and economic progress as a manifestation of the role they had to play in leading people who were ‘racially inferior.’ There was a strong faith in the superiority of the Anglo-Saxon race and the excellence and majesty of American political institutions. This common American belief is best illustrated by American Senator Albert J. Beveridge who said in 1897 that ‘… we are a conquering race, and that we must obey our blood and occupy new markets and new lands.’ Senator Beveridge added that ‘fate has written our policy for us; and trade of the world must and shall be ours. And we will get it as our mother [England] has told us how. We will establish trading posts through the world as distributing points for American products. We will cover the ocean with our merchant marine. We will build a navy to the measure of our greatness… Our institutions will follow our flag on the wings of commerce. And American law, American order, American civilization, and the American flag will plant themselves on shores hitherto bloody and benighted.’ The events that followed pushed the United States outside of its boundary towards the Pacific. America took the ‘white man’s burden’ as its Messianic responsibility. A new spirit of self- assertiveness dominated the American national psyche at the close of the 19th century. In achieving its national goal, the US was guided by the belief that national greatness, racial supremacy, commercial prosperity, military security, and territorial expansion could go hand in hand. Although clothed with altruistic missions, the underlying reason to expand outside continental America was the need for foreign markets for American products. Describing the political situation during the period, author Theodore Green said that ‘in this sudden demand for foreign markets, for manufacturers and for investments that imperialism became a political policy and practice of the ruling political party in America.’ Between 1899 and 1901, four major international issues reached crises proportion in the world political arena. The United States responded to them in accordance with its new found role as a world power. The global issues concerning the administration of Samoa in Oceania, the Boxer Rebellion in China, the Boer War in South Africa, and the American control of the trans-isthmian Canal in Central America. Between 1898 and 1946, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Samoa and the Philippines became American territorial possessions. The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands came, finally, in 1947. Source: ‘Footnotes to Philippine History’ by Renato Perdon, USA, 2010.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 04:37:31 +0000
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