The Anti-Imperialist League and American Expansionism

The Rise of American Imperialism After the Spanish-American War

At the close of the 19th century, the United States shifted from a policy of isolationism to one of imperialism, a change that was particularly evident after the Spanish-American War of 1898. The war, which was influenced by the mysterious explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana Harbor and America's support for Cuban independence, ended with a decisive U.S. victory. The Treaty of Paris, concluded in December 1898, not only ended the conflict but also resulted in the cession of former Spanish colonies—Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Guam, and an occupation of Cuba—to the United States. Spain was compensated with $20 million for the Philippines, signaling a new era in American foreign policy and overseas expansion.

The Emergence and Expansion of the Anti-Imperialist League

The expansionist actions of the United States following the war sparked domestic opposition. The Anti-Imperialist League was formed on June 15, 1898, in Boston, initially as a regional organization that quickly grew into a national movement with tens of thousands of members. Founded by individuals like Gamaliel Bradford, the League opposed the annexation of territories such as the Philippines and Puerto Rico, arguing that such actions were contrary to the American principles of freedom and self-determination as enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.

The Principles and Position of the Anti-Imperialist League

The Anti-Imperialist League, through its platform articulated by Carl Schurz in 1899, expressed a vehement opposition to imperialism. The League maintained that imperialism was incompatible with the fundamental American values of liberty and democracy. It argued for the right of all nations to self-determination and governance by the consent of the governed, criticizing the U.S. government's perceived intentions to exploit its new colonies for economic and military gain. The League's position was that in annexing territories like the Philippines, the United States was imitating the colonial practices of European nations and betraying its revolutionary roots.

Constitutional Questions and the Insular Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a series of decisions known as the Insular Cases, ruled that full constitutional rights did not automatically extend to all territories under American control. This legal interpretation supported the Anti-Imperialist League's view that the United States was committing "criminal aggression" by denying the newly acquired territories the right to self-governance. The Philippines, despite having declared its independence, faced American military presence, leading to the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). The United States subsequently established governance in the Philippines, which lasted until the islands were granted full independence after World War II.

The Composition and Activities of the Anti-Imperialist League

The Anti-Imperialist League attracted a diverse membership, including luminaries such as Mark Twain, Andrew Carnegie, Jane Addams, and John Dewey. George S. Boutwell served as the League's first president, followed by activist Moorfield Storey. Members leveraged their prominence to campaign against imperialism through various means, including writing, public speaking, and education. Despite internal disagreements over the extent of American engagement with the world, the League was unified in its stance against colonial expansion by the United States.

The Impact and Decline of the Anti-Imperialist League

The Anti-Imperialist League ultimately failed to prevent the annexation of the Philippines and saw a decline in its influence, leading to its dissolution in 1921. Nonetheless, the League's efforts underscored a pivotal debate within the United States regarding its global role and the values it should embody. The members of the League believed that the creation of an American empire would compromise the democratic ideals of the nation. This belief resonated with a portion of the American public and continues to be a subject of analysis in discussions of U.S. foreign policy history.