Document 20.5 The Hawaiian Memorial, 1897
Document 20.6 Albert Beveridge, The March of the Flag, 1898
Document 20.7 “There’s Plenty of Room at the Table,” 1906
Document 20.8 Anti-Imperialism Letter, 1899
Interpret the Evidence
Why do the petitioners of the Hawaiian Memorial (Document 20.5) claim that the provisional government is illegitimate? How do they describe their government and people before annexation, and how do they characterize the United States?
Why does Albert Beveridge claim that it is the United States’ duty to colonize the Philippines, and what does he think are the benefits to Americans and Filipinos (Document 20.6)? How does he respond to the anti-imperialist argument that the United States shouldn’t govern a people without their consent?
What common arguments against U.S. colonization connect the Hawaiian Memorial (Document 20.5) and the letter from J. W. P. (Document 20.8)?
How do imperialists and anti-imperialists portray each other in these documents?
How do imperialists and anti-imperialists shape their arguments to appeal to either men or women?
Put It in Context
Why did the arguments of the imperialists prevail over those of anti-imperialists from 1898 to 1904?
In what ways do you think the anti-imperialist arguments might have contributed to reshaping the imperialist cause after that time?
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