United States Military History (First Person Perspective)

Description

It is February 4, 1899, and in two days, the U.S. Senate will vote to ratify the Treaty of Paris that will end the Spanish-American War and give the United States new territory by annexing Puerto Rico and Guam, making Cuba a protectorate, and purchasing the Philippines as an American colony. Word arrives in the United States that fighting has broken out between American forces and Filipino nationalists led by Emilio Aguinaldo who seeks independence rather than a change in colonial rulers. The American people are split on the issue of American expansion. Some want an American empire, others believe it is morally wrong to own colonies and occupy other nations. As a U.S. Senator (your state) and a key member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, you must convince your colleagues how to vote on the treaty. You have decided to address this issue with a short position statement that will be sent to all senators prior to the vote. What do you write? Why?