“Ready to Annex Hawaii”, New York Times (1897)
A New York Times article published in 1897 discusses the imminent annexation of Hawaii, one of the first indications of the rise of imperialism in US foreign policy. The first portion of the article explains that the treaty proposing Hawaiian annexation had been sent to Congress, detailing its terms and expected outcome for the United States. Addressing Hawaii’s part in the treaty, the author writes, “It provides for annexation without the exaction of conditions on the part of the Hawaiians as to the form of government… leaving that question to be entirely disposed of by the Government of the United States.” Although it may not have been the intention of the author, this quote effectively demonstrates America’s lack of respect for Hawaiian sovereignty in pursuit of its imperialist ambitions in the Pacific. The article also addresses worries over Japanese interest in the Pacific, warning that Japan has also had its eye on Hawaii and that if the US doesn’t act fast, this imperial competitor may take the islands for itself.
“The President’s Message”, New York Times (1898)
This New York Times article was published on April 12th, 1898, just nine days before the start of the Spanish-American War, and features a message from President McKinley to Congress in regards to the civil war in Cuba, urging for American intervention in the conflict. It is likely that the message was reprinted in this edition of the NYT as a way to stir up public support for war, which was to be declared within the month. Among the reasons for American involvement, McKinley expresses concern for American trade and business, writing, “Our trade has suffered, and the capital invested by our citizens in Cuba has been largely lost.” While McKinley also touches on the destruction of the USS Maine as well as the cruel, inhumane warfare taking place as reasons for intervention, these are only justifications, his true concern being the American economy and how it could benefit from an imperialist war with Spain.
“Interview with President William McKinley”, by General James Rusling, The Christian Advocate (1903)
This source contains an excerpt of an interview with President McKinley published in The Christian Advocate in 1903. In the interview, McKinley attempts to justify the American annexation of the Philippines, which he claims to “have been criticized a good deal about” (likely referring to backlash from the Anti-Imperialist League). Claiming that the Philippines “dropped into our laps”, McKinley reveals himself as a social darwinist as he then argues that the Filipinos were “unfit for self-government”, and thus there was no other option but American annexation. Strategically published in a Christian magazine, this interview was most likely intended to oppose growing anti-imperialist movements by appealing to Christian Americans, convincing them that the US was “uplifting and civilizing” the Filipinos. This source is significant because it demonstrates how the US utilized popular ideologies of the time in order to justify its imperialist ambitions.