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The Anti-Imperialist League: Apologia Pro Vita Sua
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20 pages, Board book
First published January 1, 1908
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October 25, 2015
America set its stall out as a new imperial nation for the 20th century by wrestling control of the Philippines away from Spain in 1898, after initially promising the Filipinos independence. Cuba was obtained shortly after.
The economic gains were obvious, and American business spent decades sucking the wealth out of both countries, like Daniel Day Lewis sucking on his milkshake at the end of There Will Be Blood.
Not everybody agreed though.
Looking back to that time, Gore Vidal was one, which I know from reading most of his Ages of Empire series. Mark Twain was another, which I know from discovering that his name - his real name that is, Samuel J. Clemens - is listed here as a supporter.
The Anti-Imperialist League were true idealists, men who could see the benefits of America acquiring possessions but were against it as betrayal of their founding principles.
They don't mince their words in this pamphlet. The treatment of Aguinaldo, the Filipino leader, was a "flagrant outrage", his capture an event marked " by every circumstance of treachery and ingratitude", their behaviour there in general a "treason democracy".
Furthermore, the claim is made that President McKinley flat out lied about governments intentions there, and that the sinking of the USS Maine, which was used to justify hanging around in Cuba, was a putup job.
All of these accusations are strong stuff, and of course entirely true. Taking what isn't yours is a crime, therefore to build an empire you have to turn to crime.
Despite the efforts of the Anti-Imperialist League, America gained her empire, and lost her soul.
The economic gains were obvious, and American business spent decades sucking the wealth out of both countries, like Daniel Day Lewis sucking on his milkshake at the end of There Will Be Blood.
Not everybody agreed though.
Looking back to that time, Gore Vidal was one, which I know from reading most of his Ages of Empire series. Mark Twain was another, which I know from discovering that his name - his real name that is, Samuel J. Clemens - is listed here as a supporter.
The Anti-Imperialist League were true idealists, men who could see the benefits of America acquiring possessions but were against it as betrayal of their founding principles.
They don't mince their words in this pamphlet. The treatment of Aguinaldo, the Filipino leader, was a "flagrant outrage", his capture an event marked " by every circumstance of treachery and ingratitude", their behaviour there in general a "treason democracy".
Furthermore, the claim is made that President McKinley flat out lied about governments intentions there, and that the sinking of the USS Maine, which was used to justify hanging around in Cuba, was a putup job.
All of these accusations are strong stuff, and of course entirely true. Taking what isn't yours is a crime, therefore to build an empire you have to turn to crime.
Despite the efforts of the Anti-Imperialist League, America gained her empire, and lost her soul.
Displaying 1 of 1 review