This is the question: Imagine that you are an American living in 1899. The United States government has completed its war against Spain and is currently negotiating a peace treaty. Do you think that...

This is the question: Imagine that you are an American living in 1899. The United States government has completed its war against Spain and is currently negotiating a peace treaty. Do you think that the United States should annex the Philippines, knowing that to do so might start another war but that failing to do so might lead to instability in the Philippines and missed opportunities? Consider broader justifications for imperialism and specific arguments put forth by pro- and anti-imperialist forces. Keep in mind that this is an exercise in understanding how people thought in the past: the positions that your peers may adopt don’t necessarily reflect their own opinions on the matter.