Annexation

Katheren Pomera May 5, 2009 11th Grade- 7th Period American History Homework **__The Annexation of the Philippines, Hawaii and Puerto Rico __**  The United States of America has always had the desire to expand its territory by conquering neighboring lands. In the past, America was only the east coast of North America, but it was then extended all the way to the west coast when many Americans, who believed in manifest destiny during the 1800s, began to explore lands beyond the east coast. Manifest destiny was the idea that the nation had a God-given right to all of North America. It was then when the size of the United States of America doubled its size. That was only the beginning of America’s expansionism. Their greed for more land grew as America grows up. During 1800s many nations adopted the idea of imperialism, which is to extend a nation’s power by conquering territories for a colonial empire. Americans too, felt it would be a good choice to enter the world of imperialism because it would benefit the country and its people.  The first independent land American expansionists acquired was Hawaii in the late 1800s. One of Hawaii’s features suited America’s needs; Hawaii was an ideal area for coaling stations and naval bases for ships traveling to and from Asia. Additionally, many American came to the islands of Hawaii and begun investing in the sugar industry. By the time a king was put in throne, Americans had already gained control over Hawaii’s land and economy. Hawaii’s King Kalakaua disliked American’s influence over his government but wanted to keep his economy prosper. Therefore, in 1875 he negotiated a treaty with sugarcane landowners, which allowed Hawaiian sugar to enter the United States without being charged of tax. This treaty was beneficial for the both of them; Hawaiian sugar was cheaper for Americans and Hawaii’s economy was strengthened. As a result, the sugar business in Hawaii was very successful that Americans’ desire to take over Hawaiian affairs grew even stronger than before.  Subsequently, the Hawaiian monarchy ended when the King died in 1891. There were actions taken to restore the power of the Hawaiian monarchy. However, the public wanted the islands to be governed as a territory of the United States. In 1898, under the presidency of William McKinley, the United States finally annexed Hawaii. Through this annexation, the United States obtained access throughout the Pacific as well. Opening the doors to the Pacific led to annexing the Philippines on February 6, 1899.  Spain had claimed the Philippines since the 1500s but Spain lost its territory on August 14, 1898 when Americans entered the picture. Americans came to the rescue and saved many Filipinos from the Spanish colonial. The Philippines are made up of thousands of islands located east of Vietnam between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. Americans thought the Philippines would be a perfect place to refuel and resupply ships, and so they wanted to annex the Philippines before any other nations could. When Americans saved the Philippines, many Filipinos were grateful that they could finally consider the Philippines as an independent country. However, this appreciation turned into infuriation when America decided to annex the Philippines. Certainly, there were oppositions back in the United States of America. African Americans argued that America should try to fix its domestic problem such as racism, before assisting a foreign country. Other Americans feared that new immigrants will come and try to take away jobs from American workers. Despite oppositions from home, the annexation of the Philippines was approved by the senate. At a short period of time the Philippines was given its independence two times. After the United States took its independence during the annexation of 1899, America granted full independence to the Philippines on July 4, 1946. For a while Philippines was a US territory; another island that also became a US territory was Puerto Rico.  The United States expanded its empire not only in the pacific but also in Latin America. Puerto Rico is only one of the lands in Latin America, which America governed. America governed Puerto Rico as a territory and with the Foraker Act, which was established in 1900, the United States had the authority to appoint Puerto Rico’s governor and the upper house of its legislature. Puerto Rican voters would then elect the lower house.  The idea behind the annexations of these islands was for expanding America’s power beyond North America. Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor served as a naval port to the United States; sugar industry in Hawaii benefited both America and Hawaii; the Philippines also served as a place for American naval bases. Although the beginning of some of America’s quests caused some conflicts, each result benefited both parties. Nobody knew governing a foreign country would have result great success for America. The United States takes actions without considering what would happen in the present; they only regard the benefits that can be achieved in the future.