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How were Annexed Territories Changed by American Imperialism?
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American Annexation
Background
Background
From 1895–1898, the violent conflicts in Cuba regarding their struggle to gain independence and Spain's horrific actions towards Cubans captured the attention of Americans. America sympathized for Cubans as well as America wanted to protect its business with Cuba such as trade and resources. The United States declared war on Spain after a U.S. warship, the Maine, exploded and sank on February 15, 1898 while visiting Havana, Cuba as they suspected it was Spain although to this day, it is unknown what caused the explosion. So, in 1898, the United States began the Spanish-American war in order to protect its citizens and businesses in Cuba. during and after the war, several territories were left to America to decide what would be done with them. After America's success, the US annexed Guam, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Hawaii. These territories were greatly influenced by American culutre as the US did a lot to try to "civilize" and bring in these new territories. "The war officially ended four months later, when the U.S. and Spanish governments signed the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. Apart from guaranteeing the independence of Cuba, the treaty also forced Spain to cede Guam and Puerto Rico to the United States."
Citations for this page: “Milestones: 1866–1898 - Office of the Historian.” Milestones: 1866–1898 - Office of the Historian, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/spanish-american-war. Accessed 24 March 2023.
“Spanish-American War for Cuba's Independence.” Florida Center for Instructional Technology, https://fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/s-a_war/s-a_war1.htm. Accessed 14 April 2023.
Guam
Guam
After the Spanish-American War, America annexed Guam. People in Guam therefore became U.S. citizens by birth, however were not allowed to vote and had no voting representatives in Congress. Even today, Guam civilians are still unable to vote for US polls regardless that they have to adhere to American laws.
Citations for page: Little, Becky. How the United States Ended Up With Guam, 9 August 2017, https://www.history.com/news/how-the-united-states-ended-up-with-guam. Accessed 17 April 2023.
Hawaii
America annexed Hawaii for several reasons. For one, the Hawaiian people wanted to be annexed first to ammend the sugar tariff that had caused a depression in the island. They also wanted to annex Hawaii to provide a strong military base in the Pacific. However, after annexation, America changed so much about Hawaii and their culutre and generally how Hawaiins lived. David Keanu Sai, who has a Ph. D. in Political Science specializing in Hawaiian Constitutionalism and International Relations, stated in his doctoral dissertation, “From one of the most progressive independent states in the world to one of the most forgotten. If not for the US, where would Hawai‘i rank among the countries of the world today in regard to health care, political rights, civil rights, economy, and the environment? In the 19th century Hawai‘i was a global leader in many ways, even despite its size".
Hawaii
Citations for this page: “Hawaiian Annexation [ushistory.org].” USHistory.org, https://www.ushistory.org/us/44b.asp. Accessed 24 March 2023.
Miller, Bonnie M. “The Annexation of Hawaii.” Bill of Rights Institute, https://billofrightsinstitute.org/essays/the-annexation-of-hawaii. Accessed 16 April 2023.
Education
In 1906, the intentional policy and plans of Americanization in Hawaii began. This planned to destroy the national consciousness of the Hawaiian Kingdom in the minds of the children in school. It was called “Programme for Patriotic Exercises in the Public Schools.” This was really damaging for young Hawaiian children. It was to make them forget or unlearn their own culture just so they could fit in with Americans. To acheive this, children were taught American history and only speak English and if they dis not, they would be severely punished. To make matters worse, if the children weren’t Americanized enough theyt weren't allowed to move on to high school but instead were set to work after they were done with grade school. However, this is scary and honestly very tyrannic to forbid children to go to school because they aren't up to their "standards".
Education
Citations for page: Sai, Keanu. “The Impact of the U.S. Occupation on the Hawaiian People | NEA.” National Education Association, 13 October 2018, https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/impact-us-occupation-hawaiian-people. Accessed 24 March 2023.
Healthcare
Before American annexation, Hawaii offered free healthcare to anyone who needed it. However, In 1909, the government’s took that away, meaning native Hawaiians would no longer be admitted for free. Also, the new Board of Trustees changed the 1859 charter where it stated, “for the treatment of indigent sick and disabled Hawaiians” to “for the treatment of sick and disabled persons.” Over time, more and more native Hawaiians were denied health care unless they could afford it. Since Americans began denying healthcare to those who could not pay, it led to a crisis of native Hawaiian health today as stated in the article "The Impact of the U.S. Occupation on the Hawaiian People".
Healthcare
Citation for page: Sai, Keanu. “The Impact of the U.S. Occupation on the Hawaiian People | NEA.” National Education Association, 13 October 2018, https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/impact-us-occupation-hawaiian-people. Accessed 24 March 2023.
Denationalisation
Denationalisation
Also, policy of denationalization began, which had become so pervasive and institutionalized throughout Hawaii that the national consciousness of the Hawaiian Kingdom was nearly obliterated. It also had a devastating effect on the Hawaiian population that generally made them strangers in their own country. Therefore the Denationalisation policy had devastating effects on Hawaiians social lives and their values. This denationalisation changed Hawaii forever as it reinforced different culture and values into the Hawaiin culuture. This most likely damaged relationships and the overall values of the native Hawaiians.
Ashlyn's Opinion
My Opinion
Once again, I believe America was wrong for their actions after annexing Hawaii. Hawaii had many of their own programs and education system and for America to step in and make such drastic changes was unjust and it hurt Hawaii and its people in many ways. Forbidding children to continue with school if they weren't "Americanized" enough is just tyrannic, especially because they were practically forcing them to forget who they were from a cultural standpoint. Also the healthcare that Hawaii had was very helpful to many who could not afford healthcare until America took over and took that away just for another way to make money. There is always another way to go about a situation. A different choice or decision could have been made to avoid the actions that led to denationalization and harm to Hawaii and its people.
Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines had been fighting for their independence against the Spanish for years, so when the US decided to annex them, many people felt it was unfair. Americans who advocated annexation thought so for several reasons such as commercial opportunities in Asia, convenience for trade, belief that the Filipinos were incapable of self-rule, and fear that if the United States did not take control of the islands, another country may take over. However, this still does not completely combat the argument for independence. Many Filippines were very upset. In fact, it caused an uproar for many Filippines. Many fought back against the US. However, some improvements came as a result of annexation. For example, "English was introduced as the official language; the education system reformed; port, rail, and road-building programs initiated; and war-damaged settlements rebuilt. In a way to "civilize" the Filippines, Americans helped improve their poor quality housing, polluted waterways, widespread poverty, and they helped begin a national education system. They also had improvements when it came to health and hygiene as well. Although there were several imporments made, there were also many aspects about their culture that changed some bogger examples including language and education. Which a lot was unwanted since many had only just wanted independence.
Citations for this page: Morley, Ian. “America and the Philippines: Modern Civilization and City Planning.” Association for Asian Studies, https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/america-and-the-philippines/. Accessed 24 March 2023.
“Milestones: 1899–1913 - Office of the Historian.” History State Gov, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/war. Accessed 24 March 2023.
Ashlyn's Opinion
My opinion
Although America brought many improvements to the Philippines and brought them in to avoid another territy taking them over, I believe it was unjust and unfair considering they wanted their independence. I believe annexing them went against America's values considering where America came from. We were also in their place at one point, wanting to take our own independence which led from the unjust treatment from Great Britain. America knew what they wanted but I believe that America's exceptionalism led to the justification for annexing the Philippines and also changing so much about the other Annexed territories in general
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Political Changes
Political Changes
One of the first major changes America made on Puerto Rico was the political damage. The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act, is one of the most prominent changes. Which accoring to wikepedia, "It requires that all goods transported by water between U.S. ports be carried on ships that have been constructed in the United States and that fly the U.S. flag, are owned by U.S. citizens, and are crewed by U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents." America also promised the people of Puerto Rico citizenship along with the laws they impanted. However thye did not recieve that till years later. The Library of Congress claims that “Puerto Ricans' dreams of political and economic development faded during the first three decades of the twentieth century. The promises of self-government and better conditions for Puerto Rico had to wait almost fifty years.” America also promised self-governmnet but elected the leaders for the country not really giving them a choice. Although Puerto Rico had their own government that seemingly works for the country, America changed their entire governing system into a more democracy friendly system.
Ronni's opinion about the political changes
Since I first started learning about the world wars I always wondered why countries go and invade others because they have an opposing governing system. Puerto Rico had been surviving for thousands of years, so obviously they had a system that worked for them. Yes they had their low points, which America did help with by providing aid and support. But they didn't have to take over the entire governing system. Those that live on the islands werre used to the way the country was run, sudden change isn't good for anyone. I do see how the political change was helpful though. The Jones Act seem like a very controling action, but it also protects Puerto Rico from possible invasion. The aid America provided helped thousands as well. The Panama canal helped their economy too.
My Opinion
Puerto Rico Culture
"Puertos Rico’s native Tano population call the country Borinquen, and refer to themselves as Boricua." - History.com
Cultural changes
One of the components that was almost untouched was the History and Culture. Puerto Rico is full of vibrant, bright, and cheerful festivals, art pieces, music, and so much more. While reading on their culture the website "Discover Puetro Rico" says that," Almost every weekend there is a festival of celebration around the Island, Festivals in Puerto Rico are colorful and loud, Including live bands, amusement rides, and parades. Every festival is rooted in tradition. Going to the festivals give a great experience into the Boricua culture" Murals and other art pieces have a very significant historical aspect of the the Boricua culture. Even today people still make pieces that has meaning to the artist and the culture/history of the country. Even though Puerto Rico had many economical and political changes the Boricua traditions were untouched. I find that very beautiful and powerful that the people didn't let their hardhsips changes their traditions and morals.
Citations
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Puerto_Rico#:~:text=The%20history%20of%20Puerto%20Rico,was%20that%20of%20the%20Ta%C3%ADnos.
https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/puerto-rico-history
https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/things-to-do/culture#!grid~~~random~1
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/j/jonesact.asp
https://www.cfr.cog/background/puetro-rico-us-territory-crisis
https://www.loc.gov/collections/puerto-rico-books-and-pamphlets/articles-and-essays/nineteenth-century-puerto-rico/puerto-rico-and-united-states/
Impact
Impact
It's important for us to realize how American impacted these cultures and territories. Just like Americans, these people have their own cultures and lives. It's also a question on ethics and morality. Back then-and even still now-many Americans beclieved that their culture was "perfect" and that any culture besides America's was "inferior". However, according to these other cultures, that may not be true. America was triumphant with the Spanish-American war, however, there is still the question whether or not America made the right choice with the Philippines when they wanted their independence. Additionally, especially with Hawaii, America took away a lot of important aspects of their culture and their values-which is still impacting many today. By understanding the impact America had on these territiories, we can reflect and be thorough with other decisions. And finally, to reitterate the lasting impact America has had on Guam, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Hawaii.