Imperialism's Bitter Fruit

1. What made the Filipino insurrection "far different than any conflict in which Americans had previously fought"?
The difference was the way the filipinos fought.  They used guerrilla tactics.  Instead of fighting head on against the US, they did quick-striking movements.  They didn't have any sort of organized army.  They also tortured and executed prisoners and committed other atrocities, both the US and the filipinos.  They used insurgents, who looked just like any other person to surprise the US troops.

2. Why were African-Americans among the strongest critics of the war against the Filipino nationalists?
African Americans were very disapproving of the war with the Filipinos. The Filipinos were discriminated in the same way that blacks where back in the US.  The Filipinos took advantage of this and put up posters that addressed the "Colored American Soldiers" and were reminded of the discrimination that they had suffered.  Blacks were not happy with this war because the Filipinos were being treated just like they had been.

3. Why did the United States lose its appetite for imperialism in the early 1900s?
The US realized it was quite difficult to occupi the Filippines.  The people of the US were not prepared to accept the burdens of an empire.  President Roosevelt called the island "American's Achilles heel."  They were not ready to deal with all of the problems and concerns of "babysitting" a small island.

4. How did the United States contribute to the development of Cuba and Puerto Rico?
America wanted to make sure that all their businesses were protected on Cuba.  Also, because of the US's growing technology and administrative expertise, this all contributed to rapid development on the island.  We added roads and telegraph lines.  We built schools  and cleaned up the place.  We also got rid of the yellow fever.  We helped Puerto Rico become one of our territories and gave its people the right to become citizens.  

5. Why did many Cubans come to resent the U.S. presence on their island?
The cubans didn't like the US on their island.  They also didn't like the situation they were forced into.  The Platt Amendment was the only way to get the US military from leaving their island.  This amendment had many elements to it.  It gave the US the right to oversee the cuban economy, exercise veto power over foreign policy, and intervene whenever necessary "for the protection of life property and individual liberty."  After the amendment was accepted, US took advantage of this and started to dominate the cuban economy.  cubans struggled to find opportunities, but it was very hard.  They didn't like our businesses or wealthy cuban plantations either.

6. Do you believe the United States was imperialist? why or why not?
I do believe that the US was imperialistic.  They took over the islands without the consent of the people living there already.  They occupied the islands against the will of the filipinos and cuba.  They forced them to become territories, and when the philippines revolted, the US attacked back.

The Spanish-American War

1. How was the United States connected to Cuba in the 1890s?
     We were quite connected to Cuba in 1895.  We had a close tie with the islands sugar industry.  We even removed all of the tariffs that had been placed on Cuba so that it would be cheaper to buy.  Because of our increase in buying their sugar, we increased both of our economies.  Because of this, Cuban-American trade became almost 100$ million each year.

2. What were the main reasons the United States intervened in Cuba? (i.e. went to war) Which reason do you believe was most important? Explain your answer. 
      Durring their revolt, our press was all over the stories supplied by Cuban nationalists living in the US about the revolt.  In many news articles and magazines, there were  calls for supporting the nationalists.  Some wanted intervention because they thought that it was their right to do so.  Others were worried that American property was being damaged in the crossfire of the Spanish and Cuba and so that their businesses and trade would no longer be affected by the revolt.  Still others said that Spain had no right to be in the wester hemisphere at all (Monroe Doctrine).  Also, if Spain had controle of Cuba, it might make it difficult for America when the future canal in Central America (Panama Canal?) was built.

     I believe that because America's economy was dependent on Cubas sugar industry, the need to help Cuba out and release them from Spain made it clear that the US needed to help them.  If Cuba wasn't controlled by spain, then they could trade freely and it might have soon have become 100$ million annually for trade...

3. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?

   African Americans were eager to serve in the war because they thought that if they did, it would help them  rais their status and maybe be treated like any other white man.  They thought that maybe, if the participated in the fighting they would win respect from the community and then slowly back away from the discrimination.   But it seems that this action only brought them acknowledgement on the battle field, even though four of their regiments were ranked among the countries most elite units.  Yet they also were not allowed to become officers or a higher rank than just a solider. 

4. How did racial attitudes at the turn of the century shape American peceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines?

  Some (anti-imperialists) thought that if the US gained Cuba Puerto Rico and the Philippines, that it would change their government and would no longer be able to hold them self up as a government in power by the "consent of the governed."  Bringing the three islands into the picture would change the political system in the US and alter their character. ?

5. Why did Emilio Aguinaldo feel that the United States supported his campaign for Filipino independence? 

  He thought that North America felt that they had to help Cuba, strictly because what had happend to them had happend to the US also.  He thought that they were "sufficiently civilized and capable of governing ourselves and our unfortunate country."  He is saying that America thought that Cuba didn't need the help of Spain to govern them.  

6. Why do you think the Spanish-American War was called "a splendid little war" by an American diplomat at the time? Do you think we could have a "splendid little war" today? Explain your answer.
      It was probably called "a splendid little war" because the US gained 3 island colonies, and were able to show their power and rise even higher in the ranks of top countries.  Today though, I dont think it would mean the same thing.  The word war is different from what it ment back then. ?