Anti-imperialism

2 Pages 458 Words

Anti-Imperialism

In November, 1898, people who were opposed to an American policy, known as imperialism, band together to form the Anti-Imperialism League. “We regret that it has become necessary in the land of Washington and Lincoln to reaffirm that all men, of whatever race or color, are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (Carl Schurz 605). The behavior of expansionists was nothing but a rejection to the establishment of “liberty for all.” An idea was endorsed, which proposed, “The Constitution must follow the flag.” The American flag and laws went together. Anti-Imperialists felt people in territories controlled by the United States deserved the same rights as all American citizens. Samuel Gompers, labor leader, demurred taking over countries with no labor laws. He felt the people of the Caribbean and Pacific were being prepared for liberty, and were not ready for democracy. Overall, imperialism threatened the nation’s democratic foundation.
“Had the Filipinos been white and fought as bravely as they have, the war would have been ended and their independence granted a long time ago” (Bishop Alexander Walters 605). Anti-Imperialists saw racism beginning to commence in imperialistic policies. Racism is a belief that differences in character or intelligence are due to one’s race. The African American people were the first to be torn about this issue. They wanted to support the country, but racism was instigated by imperialism. Southern democrats resisted imperialism because of the effect of absorbing more races into the United States. Imperialistic policies would encourage people to migrate into the United States.
“It is temperament that tells, and not schemes of national policy, whether laid down in Farewell addresses or in Utopian books. No national character was ever shaped by formula or by philosophy; for greater forces than these lie behind it, - the forces of inheritance and of...