1. What made the Filipino insurrection "far different than any conflict in which Americans had previously fought"?
The Filipino insurrection was "far different than any conflict in which Americans had previously fought" for many reasons. As the reading states, "Rather then confronting an organized army, as they had in Cuba, U.S soldiers faced a quick striking guerrilla movement. The rules of war that generally prevailed in battles involving western nations were largely ignored" So basically, our soldiers were suddenly using a completely different tactic then they were used to, so this easily could have been difficult to adapt to, never mind attempt to fight by.
2. Why were African-Americans among the strongest critics of the war against the Filipino nationalists?
African-Americans are among the strongest critics of the war against the Filipino nationalists because the Filipino nationalists recognized them as different then the White-Americans just as their own country did.The African-Americans wanted to be looked at as equals to the whites, so when "Filipino nationalists openly played on the racial divisions within the U.S. army" it made the African-American soldiers be reminded of how badly they were discriminated against by their own country.
3. Why did the United States lose its appetite for imperialism in the early 1900s?
The United States lost it's appetite for imperialism in the early 1900's for a lot of reasons. One of these reasons could simply be, Mark Twain. Mark Twain was a very popular writer in the early 1900's, he was pretty much, anti-imperialist. His works of literature could have swayed the views of some readers. More importantly, there were many complications when it came to creating an empire. People didn't know what rights the Filipinos had as being part of the United States, and other such complications. Even Roosevelt who originally was all for the empire said "the people of the United States were not prepared to accept the burdens of an empire" so the United States abandoned the idea of taking on this "burden"
4. How did the United States contribute to the development of Cuba and Puerto Rico?
The United States contributed to the development of Cuba and Puerto Rico by doing many different things. First of all, American technology was advancing, "and administrative expertise contributed to rapid development on the islands" For example, roads and telephone lines were built, which obviously helped with the development of these islands. In addition, in 1912 the United States granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship. U.S. citizenship granted them numerous rights which could easily help development. Also in 1917, the U.S. made Puerto Rico a U.S. territory, which is advantageous because they would have the protection of our military and country, which can help them grow as a territory without fear of other countries.
5. why did many Cubans come to resent the U.S. presence on their island?
Many Cubans came to resent the U.S. presence on their island for a few reasons. The first reason being that "When Cuba's national assembly issued a call for immediate independence in1900, the McKinley administration sought to slow the momentum of Cuban nationalism" Another reason for their resentment is because Cuba could only have independence with a whole bunch of limitations, which wouldn't technically make them independent...Some of these limitations included overseeing Cuban economy and veto power over foreign policy.
6. Do you believe the United States was imperialist? why or why not?
I do believe the United States was imperialist. We may have said that we were giving up on the empire because of all of the complications and some other reasons, but we were still very much imperialist. When we took control over Purto Rico and Cuba, well that's just it, we were making an empire. Not only that but we were trying to control them and still had many complications which is the reason why we didn't want an empire in the first place ! Lastly, when we said we were giving independence to Cuba, for example, we weren't actually letting them be their own country, we still had many limitation on them and weren't letting them really be free.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
The Spanish-American War
1. How was the United States connected to Cuba in the 1890s?
The United States was connected to Cuba in the 1890's for multiple reasons. To start off, the United States has always been interested in taking Cuba in as part of the United States, to become a major slave territory; President Polk even tried to buy Cuba from Spain in 1848. But more recently, the United States is connected to Cuba in the 1890's because the United States removed the tariffs off of Cuban Sugar. As the reading says, " The United States was also by far the largest consumer of Cuban Sugar. In 1890, the United states removed tariffs on Cuban sugar, entering the American market, making it less expensive to buy the sugar in the united states. The legislation boosted the fortunes of both the overall Cuban economy and American investors on the island"
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.
The main reasons the United States intervened in Cuba were that Cuba was revolting, this was posing a major threat to the Cuban economy because of so many orders for farmers, sugar growers, etc. were being ordered to not sell most of their products. "By 1898, Gomez had brought the Cuban economy to a standstill" Another reason why the United States intervened in Cuba is because the Spanish ambassador to the United States had accidentally gotten a letter published that was meant for only his friend. In the letter, it called the President of the United States at the time, McKinley, "weak" Lastly, there was the explosion of the "Maine" ship vessel that had been anchored in Havana harbor. The ship "was ripped apart by a tremendous explosion on the night of February 15" Eventually it was proven that this ship had been sunken by an underwater mine, but at the time, they believed it was the Spanish. The reason that I find most important is calling President McKinley weak. This is an insult to not only the president, but to the nation as a whole. If you insult the leader of something, you insult the followers as well. This easily could have made the United States actually feel weak if they decided to think the same as the Spanish, that their president was weak. This is easily the most important reason for the United States to intervene.
3. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?
So many African-Americans were eager to serve in the Spanish-American War because they simply wanted to try to show White-Americans that they were equal to them. According to the reading, "Many black leaders saw the war as an opportunity to elevate the status of blacks in the United States. They hoped the black participation in the fighting would win the African-American community new respect, and chip away the wall of discrimination" This is a very good quote to answer this question because it simply gives the exact answer to why African-Americans were so eager to serve in the Spanish- American war.
4. How did racial attitudes at the turn of the century shape American peceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines?
Racial attitudes at the turn of the century helped shaped American perceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, by there already being ideas of what the citizens of these islands were like. As the reading states, "in line with the racial stereotypes of the day, most American leaders had little hope for the blacks and Asians who lived in Cuba, Puerto rico, the Philippines, and Guam could be a force of progress. At the same time, the Spanish were thought of as backward and cruel." Because of the accusations made before even knowing of these people of these different islands, America thought that these people were not capable of having their own democracies, but were also in fear of having them as apart of the United States because they may have been a threat to the political system in America.
5. Why did Emilio Aguinaldo feel that the United States supported his campaign for Filipino independence?
Emilio Aguinaldo felt that the United States supported his campaign for Filipino independence because he pretty much planned to run a democracy. The United States was going to liberate the Philippines, but Emilio said that he was " the head of the temporary revolutionary government, and he planned to hold elections." Elections generally go along with the idea of democracy and that's what the United States was and still is run by politically. Also, seeing as the United States was planning on liberating the Philippines, Emilio being there as a leader would give the United States some peace at mind because there would be someone who is at least some what in charge in the Philippines, after they are no longer United States property.
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.
The Spanish-American war was called "a splendid little war" by an American diplomat at the time because it wasn't a really "bad" war. The war was rather short, in comparison to some other wars of our past and wars going on today, so the war being short, could make it "splendid" perhaps. Also, the United States weren't exactly forced into war. We weren't bombed or anything bad enough to make us go directly to war, but there were some reason as to why we did go to war. In addition, the United States pretty much got what they wanted. For example, when they liberated the Philippines, they had someone who was running to be a leader, so the Philippines would be free from the United States, but would also have some sense of authority. Overall, this was wasn't awful compared to many others and therefore could've been called "a splendid little war" Today, i don't think we could have "a splendid little war" because today we try to avoid war as much as possible, so we wouldn't go into war unless "forced to" unlike the Spanish-American war. Also, if the reason we went into war was pretty big, then the ending of the war would most likely not end anytime soon, meaning it couldn't be little or splendid.
The United States was connected to Cuba in the 1890's for multiple reasons. To start off, the United States has always been interested in taking Cuba in as part of the United States, to become a major slave territory; President Polk even tried to buy Cuba from Spain in 1848. But more recently, the United States is connected to Cuba in the 1890's because the United States removed the tariffs off of Cuban Sugar. As the reading says, " The United States was also by far the largest consumer of Cuban Sugar. In 1890, the United states removed tariffs on Cuban sugar, entering the American market, making it less expensive to buy the sugar in the united states. The legislation boosted the fortunes of both the overall Cuban economy and American investors on the island"
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.
The main reasons the United States intervened in Cuba were that Cuba was revolting, this was posing a major threat to the Cuban economy because of so many orders for farmers, sugar growers, etc. were being ordered to not sell most of their products. "By 1898, Gomez had brought the Cuban economy to a standstill" Another reason why the United States intervened in Cuba is because the Spanish ambassador to the United States had accidentally gotten a letter published that was meant for only his friend. In the letter, it called the President of the United States at the time, McKinley, "weak" Lastly, there was the explosion of the "Maine" ship vessel that had been anchored in Havana harbor. The ship "was ripped apart by a tremendous explosion on the night of February 15" Eventually it was proven that this ship had been sunken by an underwater mine, but at the time, they believed it was the Spanish. The reason that I find most important is calling President McKinley weak. This is an insult to not only the president, but to the nation as a whole. If you insult the leader of something, you insult the followers as well. This easily could have made the United States actually feel weak if they decided to think the same as the Spanish, that their president was weak. This is easily the most important reason for the United States to intervene.
3. Why were many African-Americans eager to serve in the Spanish-American War?
So many African-Americans were eager to serve in the Spanish-American War because they simply wanted to try to show White-Americans that they were equal to them. According to the reading, "Many black leaders saw the war as an opportunity to elevate the status of blacks in the United States. They hoped the black participation in the fighting would win the African-American community new respect, and chip away the wall of discrimination" This is a very good quote to answer this question because it simply gives the exact answer to why African-Americans were so eager to serve in the Spanish- American war.
4. How did racial attitudes at the turn of the century shape American peceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines?
Racial attitudes at the turn of the century helped shaped American perceptions of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines, by there already being ideas of what the citizens of these islands were like. As the reading states, "in line with the racial stereotypes of the day, most American leaders had little hope for the blacks and Asians who lived in Cuba, Puerto rico, the Philippines, and Guam could be a force of progress. At the same time, the Spanish were thought of as backward and cruel." Because of the accusations made before even knowing of these people of these different islands, America thought that these people were not capable of having their own democracies, but were also in fear of having them as apart of the United States because they may have been a threat to the political system in America.
5. Why did Emilio Aguinaldo feel that the United States supported his campaign for Filipino independence?
Emilio Aguinaldo felt that the United States supported his campaign for Filipino independence because he pretty much planned to run a democracy. The United States was going to liberate the Philippines, but Emilio said that he was " the head of the temporary revolutionary government, and he planned to hold elections." Elections generally go along with the idea of democracy and that's what the United States was and still is run by politically. Also, seeing as the United States was planning on liberating the Philippines, Emilio being there as a leader would give the United States some peace at mind because there would be someone who is at least some what in charge in the Philippines, after they are no longer United States property.
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.
The Spanish-American war was called "a splendid little war" by an American diplomat at the time because it wasn't a really "bad" war. The war was rather short, in comparison to some other wars of our past and wars going on today, so the war being short, could make it "splendid" perhaps. Also, the United States weren't exactly forced into war. We weren't bombed or anything bad enough to make us go directly to war, but there were some reason as to why we did go to war. In addition, the United States pretty much got what they wanted. For example, when they liberated the Philippines, they had someone who was running to be a leader, so the Philippines would be free from the United States, but would also have some sense of authority. Overall, this was wasn't awful compared to many others and therefore could've been called "a splendid little war" Today, i don't think we could have "a splendid little war" because today we try to avoid war as much as possible, so we wouldn't go into war unless "forced to" unlike the Spanish-American war. Also, if the reason we went into war was pretty big, then the ending of the war would most likely not end anytime soon, meaning it couldn't be little or splendid.
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