Imperialism's Bitter Fruit

Questions for Epilogue: Imperialism’s Bitter Fruit (pages 32-37)

1. a. After the Spanish were forced out of the Philippines, why did fighting break out between American and Filipino forces?

The Filipinos had believed that they were fighting for their independence, and had assumed that they would be granted that independence after the war was over. But American troops were stationed in the Philippines still.

b. How was this a different kind of warfare for American forces?

This was more of a guerilla war-fare rather than a more organized war like they had faced in Cuba. Common rules of was in western warfare were completely ignored.


2. Why were many African-Americans strong critics of the war against Filipino nationalists?

They were critical of the racist attitudes that the military had of the Filippinos. Filippinos were often called "niggers" by white enlisted men. Also, being a soldier stationed in the Philippines still subjected black soldiers to the same discrimination that they faced at home in the U.S.

3. Explain two reasons why the United States lost some of its enthusiasm for imperialism in the early 1900s.

a.Imperialism would increase war and conflict around the world

b.Legal complications came with new territories


4. What were the positive effects of American occupation in Puerto Rico and Cuba?
American technology contributed to rapid development on the islands, roads were built, telegraph lines, finances reorganized, new schools better sanitation and the disappearance of yellow fever were all positive affects.


5. After the Spanish-American War, the United States insisted that Cuba only receive independence after agreeing to several limitations set forth in the Platt Amendment. Four restrictions on Cuban independence set forth in the Platt Amendment were:

a. The U.S.'s right to oversee the Cuban economy


b. exercise veto power over Cuba foreign policy,


c.intervene when necessary (for the protection of "life property and individual liberty),


d.allowed to build a naval base on the southeastern tip of Guantanamo Bay.

Was the United States justified in making these demands? Explain your reasoning.

The United States had defeated the Spanish, who were previously in control of Cuba, so by the logic that the U.S. has claims to any of Spain's former possessions than yes the U.S. was justified in making these demands. The choice to limit Cuba's freedom was not necessarily the "kindest" thing to do, but justification in the U.S.'s imperialistic has more to do with who is more powerful than what is best for another country. However, these demands would be hard to justify as in a moral light.

6. Do you believe the United States was imperialist? Why or why not?

Yes I believe that the United States was imperialist because the foreign policy of the time showed little regard for anything other than the gaining of U.S. power. For example, the U.S. when they take over various pacific ocean islands does so with the primary focus of making economic and military gains. Although the U.S. presence in places like Puerto Rico and Cuba did lead to some positive things, it benefitted the U.S. the most and essentially came down to a question of increasing the U.S.'s power, which is the goal of imperialism-power through the conquering of other lands.