McKinley's Foreign Policy: Closing Activity 2 

2) Read the following excerpt from McKinley's Second Inaugural Address, paying particular attention to the blue/italic lines. After you have read this excerpt, examine each of the blue/italic lines and answer the questions below. You may need to reexamine other parts of this Net Investigation to fully address the speech.

. . . Four years ago we stood on the brink of war without the people knowing it and without any preparation or effort at preparation for the impending peril. I did all that in honor could be done to avert the war, but without avail. It became inevitable; and the Congress at its first regular session, without party division, provided money in anticipation of the crisis and in preparation to meet it. It came. The result was signally favorable to American arms and in the highest degree honorable to the Government. It imposed upon us obligations from which we cannot escape and from which it would be dishonorable to seek escape. We are now at peace with the world, and it is my fervent prayer that if differences arise between us and other powers they may be settled by peaceful arbitration and that hereafter we may be spared the horrors of war.

. . . While the treaty of peace with Spain was ratified on the 6th of February, 1899, and ratifications were exchanged nearly two years ago, the Congress has indicated no form of government for the Philippine Islands. It has, however, provided an army to enable the Executive [the President] to suppress insurrection, restore peace, give security to the inhabitants, and establish the authority of the United States throughout the archipelago. It has authorized the organization of native troops as auxiliary to the regular force. . . .These reports fully set forth the conditions, past and present, in the islands, and the instructions clearly show the principles which will guide the Executive until the Congress shall, as it is required to do by the treaty, determine "the civil rights and political status of the native inhabitants." The Congress having added the sanction of its authority to the powers already possessed and exercised by the Executive under the Constitution, thereby leaving with the Executive the responsibility for the government of the Philippines, I shall continue the efforts already begun until order shall be restored throughout the islands, and as fast as conditions permit will establish local governments, in the formation of which the full co-operation of the people has been already invited, and when established will encourage the people to administer them. The settled purpose, long ago proclaimed, to afford the inhabitants of the islands self-government as fast as they were ready for it will be pursued with earnestness and fidelity. Already something has been accomplished in this direction. The Government's representatives, civil and military, are doing faithful and noble work in their mission of emancipation and merit the approval and support of their countrymen. The most liberal terms of amnesty have already been communicated to the insurgents, and the way is still open for those who have raised their arms against the Government for honorable submission to its authority. Our countrymen should not be deceived. We are not waging war against the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands. A portion of them are making war against the United States. By far the greater part of the inhabitants recognize American sovereignty and welcome it as a guaranty of order and of security for life, property, liberty, freedom of conscience, and the pursuit of happiness. To them full protection will be given. They shall not be abandoned. We will not leave the destiny of the loyal millions the islands to the disloyal thousands who are in rebellion against the United States. Order under civil institutions will come as soon as those who now break the peace shall keep it. Force will not be needed or used when those who make war against us shall make it no more. May it end without further bloodshed, and there be ushered in the reign of peace to be made permanent by a government of liberty under law!

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1)  I did all that in honor could be done to avert the war, but without avail. It became inevitable;

a) What did McKinley do to avert the war?

b) Was the war really inevitable? Why or why not?

2) It imposed upon us obligations from which we cannot escape and from which it would be dishonorable to seek escape.

a) What are the obligations?

b) Could we escape those obligations if we wanted to? How? What would be the result?

3) We are now at peace with the world, and it is my fervent prayer that if differences arise between us and other powers they may be settled by peaceful arbitration and that hereafter we may be spared the horrors of war.

a) In the investigation of the First Inaugural Address, we asked what you thought McKinley would do if the United States were to get into a conflict with another country. Answer this question again based on this quote and everything else you have learned.

4) It has, however, provided an army to enable the Executive [the President] to suppress insurrection, restore peace, give security to the inhabitants, and establish the authority of the United States throughout the archipelago.

a) Is American authority the appropriate way to give security to the Filipinos?

b) What is "peace?" What will the United States have to do to achieve peace?

c) What will happen when we achieve peace?

5) The settled purpose, long ago proclaimed, to afford the inhabitants of the islands self-government as fast as they were ready for it will be pursued with earnestness and fidelity.

a) Who determines when the Filipinos are ready for self-government?

b) What will constitute readiness for self-government?

c) What are other possible purposes for keeping the Philippines?

6) Our countrymen should not be deceived. We are not waging war against the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands. A portion of them are making war against the United States.

a) Who is waging war against whom?

b) What is McKinley's purpose for making this statement?

c) Read this description below (from the Filipino perspective) on the difference in viewpoints on the Philippine-American conflict. Is this a legitimate criticism? What is the difference between a war and an insurrection/rebellion? Why is the difference significant?

Philippine Insurrection? Ouuuccccch. The Americans viewed the fighting as an insurrection, not a war. Hence, Americans refer to this episode as the Philippine Insurrection, not the Philippine-American War. The Spanish-American conflict that lasted only three months, is referred to as the Spanish-American War. But the Philippine-American conflict officially lasted three years and is known only as the Philippine Insurrection by America.

The Filipino Americans (From 1763 to the Present): Their History, Culture, & Traditions, Veltisezar B. Bautista

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