With the growing geographical importance of the Asian Hemisphere in the 18th century, Spain faced numerous external challenges as emerging powers threatened its colonial rule. Recognizing the nation's growing weakness over its colonial population, the U.S. joined forces with native countries throughout the Spanish Empire to form a joint attack, leading to the Spanish-American War.
"The Big Stick in the Caribbean Sea," 1904, UH Pressboks
Emerging victorious from the war and establishing dominance in the Caribbean and Asia, the U.S. did not relinquish its control over the colonies as it had promised, causing internal conflicts similar to what Spain previously faced. One nation that opposed the U.S. was the people of the Philippines, forming a rebellion against the growing superpower and demanding independence from the west.
"Representatives of Spain and the United States signed a peace treaty in Paris on December 10, 1898, which established the independence of Cuba, ceded Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States, and allowed the victorious power to purchase the Philippines Islands from Spain for $20 million. The war had cost the United States $250 million and 3,000 lives, of whom 90% had perished from infectious diseases."
~ The Library of Congress
The U.S. believed that by interfering with Spanish rule in the Philippines, it would be able to establish a stable environment and restore peace in the country while ensuring no opposing powers such as Japan and Germany would conquer such valuable land. The U.S. took these actions in the belief that they were acting in the benefit of the Philippines, however, after the war ended they believed that the Filipino populations were unable to govern themselves and decided to continue the colonial system present under Spanish rule. The native populations, betrayed by the decision of the Treaty of Paris, viewed American presence as only a change in rulers and demanded greater freedom that would give the Philippines the right to govern itself.
Spanish-American War, 1898, Sutori
Combatting Imperialism, PBS, 1898: Image depicting American views on how the Filipino populations needed American assitance to govern themselves
Spanish-American War, The National Interest, 1898: Image empahszing how American and Filipino troops cooperated to fight against Spain