- The US had significant economic interests in the Philippines, particularly in the sugar and tobacco industries.
- American business saw an opportunity to expand their market and gain access to the resources of the Philippines.
2. Humanitarian Concerns:
- The brutal Spanish suppression of the Filipino rebellion, resulting in atrocities and human rights abuses, stirred up sympathy and outrage in the US.
3. Manifest Destiny:
- Some Americans saw the acquisition of the Philippines as part of their "manifest destiny" to expand their territories and spread their influence.
4. Geopolitical Considerations:
- The US had become a rising global power, and annexing the Philippines would give them a strategic foothold in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Controlling the Philippines could provide access to China and other lucrative markets in Asia.
5. Pressure from Pro-Independence Filipinos:
- Filipino expatriates in the US lobbied for American intervention to help them gain independence from Spanish rule.
6. Influence of the Press:
- Sensationalist newspaper accounts of the atrocities committed by Spanish forces in the Philippines further inflamed public opinion in the US.
7. Public Support for War:
- The Spanish-American War became increasingly popular among the American public, with many seeing it as a righteous fight against tyranny and colonialism.
8. Political Motivations:
- For some politicians, the war provided an opportunity for political gain and a chance to enhance their reputations.
9. Expansionist Sentiment:
- The late 19th century saw a rise in expansionist sentiment among many Americans, fueled by a belief in the superiority of their culture and civilization.
10. Influence of Imperialist Leaders:
- Influential figures like Assistant Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt and Senator Albert Beveridge championed the cause of acquiring the Philippines and other territories.
The complex interplay of these factors ultimately led to the US involvement in the Filipino rebellion against Spain and the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898.