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Our best option is to weigh out both decisions and to collectively decide wether we should expand. Or should we make the decision just to help the other countries and wait to see if they need further help. because we could potentially ruin our relationships with them especially with trading and maybe future expansion needs.

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If the U.S. were to further colonize other nations, such as the Philippines, without their consent, it would not only disrupt America’s core values of individual freedom and self-government, it would be considered tyrannical to do so. It would be morally wrong for the U.S. to engage in potential colonialism, especially since it would result in our country exchanging the values of a democratic republic for those of a military dictatorship. Annexation of the Philippines could also eventually permit non-white Filipinos to have a role in American national government. These implications alone are more than enough to prove that imperialism does more harm than good to, in this situation, both the U.S. and the Philippines.

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America has been an expanding nation since it was founded, which has become an important part of American life. With the end of the American frontier it is our destiny as a nation to expand our culture around the globe. Imperialism is economically beneficial by opening markets abroad and allowing access to cheap resources, which helps to fuel the industrial revolution. To keep up with other countries, the US needs to be able to compete with them by acquiring colonies. By colonizing these lands, America will be able to bring civilization and christianity, while introducing democracy. America will be able to uplift these places, while also benefiting in the process.

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To successfully succeed as a country while aiding other countries in need or potential need, takes careful consideration and decision making. Weighing the opportunity costs and trade offs of aiding the Philippines is an important factor to discuss. Seizing the entirety of the Philippines can bring economic downfall and conflicts within our country and allies. Modernizing the islands and converting them to the American civilization can bring loss of culture, traditions, and religion beliefs. Implementing American ideas and modernization into the Philippines while not taking over the country is the safest way to bring them up on their feet. As we have seen, America is not economically stable to obtain another country, especially when there could be rebellion or backlash. The casualties to gain the Philippines can be atrocious, and if surrounding countries chose to join in, it could cause a war. To maintain a stable, and thriving country, America should focus on its own economy but offer help to the Philippines if they are in need to maintain their country.

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Now here’s the tea…..The US had a tradition of expansionism long before it become imperialistic. For example, in 1803 the US purchased the Louisiana Territory from France, doubling the size of the country. Which gave America greater possibilities and opportunities to grow and expand. What later fueled imperialism was the thirst for new markets to sell goods, a desire for greater military strength, belief in the ability to benefit less civilized people, and to maintain America’s identity and prosperity. Overseas territories would provide the US with access to cheap raw materials it could use to fuel its factories to recapture its prosperity. Overseas territories would provide US businesses and farmers access to new markets (places) to sell their extra goods leading to higher prices, more profits and more jobs (A STRONG ECONOMY!) If the US was to become a respected and influential world power (like Great Britain and France) it too would need to establish a global military presence and acquire overseas territories.

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Expansion is practically inevitable. We expand our territory, our ideals and thoughts. Imperialism is the best way to incorporate America's values while keeping our democracy intact. Militarily speaking, " No self-respecting nation can abandon what was earned by the blood of its fighting men. Our military forces accomplished in a few short months what Filipino and Cuban rebels could not do for themselves in years of struggle... Advancing the cause f civilization in the Philippines gives meaning t those who died in the process."

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Ruling over people, especially of another nation, without their consent is tyranny and that is not something our nation should be known for. We are not dictators, we are a nation that utilizes the freedom and right of democracy. If we choose to “tame” the Philippines we should ensure protection for their people. We should protect the Philippines by acquiring their land however, we should leave them independent so we do not have issues with Europe and Japan. To ensure peace with international relations, acquiring the Philippines will help, but leaving them independent will be the best solution.

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Dylan Vickers
Carefully Calculate Our Interests

Economic:

The United States ability to acquire harbor of Manila and establishing temporary protection of the Filipinos should be handled peacefully, the funds spent on expanding the Army as well as Navy could be better used for internal improvement. There isn’t a reason for us to have them as a colony when we can support them as an ally, William Jennings Bryan argues “A war of conquest is unwise as it is unrighteous. A harbor and coaling station in the Philippines would answer every trade and military necessity and such a concession could have been secured at any time without difficulty. It is not necessary to own people in order to trade with them” The idea of self righteousness by protecting them as well as for our economical trade could be solved if we were simply an ally, like we are with anyone we trade with and have no need to make them a colony of the U.S. We can be a friend and protector allowing us both to acquire our interests and move forward.

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Democracy started in US soil and we shouldn’t be spreading our soil with any countries let alone Alien Countries. If we were to establish an oversea colony the size of our military would increase drastically but it would give rise to a new set of anti-democratic militaristic values. The budget for our military is drastically bigger than it should be right now if we were to add an outside colony our budget would increase causing our economy to fall. We are America the land of the free not the land of war. If we choose to add an alien colony to the United States, we would just exploit the Filipinos like we did the Africans. Protecting an overseas empire will makes us form alliances with imperial powers and they will draw us into war. Instead of trying to get other territory we should focus on trying to rebuild America the correct way. If our army starts growing other countries will view that as a threat and will begin forming their alliances and later on starting a war. We don’t want war we want peace and a stable economy where the government and military can thrive.

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Option 2                                 With the Filipinos coming over to the United States it not only adds more racial problems but it gives cheaper labor. With the U.S. showing that an idepant government is a threat to other countries by overtaking their citizens.

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Option 2                                 With the Filipinos coming over to the United States it not only adds more racial problems but it gives cheaper labor. With the U.S. showing that an idepant government is a threat to other countries by overtaking their citizens.

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Why Calculating Our Interest is the Best Opinion 

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Why Calculating Our Interest is the Best Opinion 

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As a country who has fought for independence and gained it, we cannot turn a blind eye to others in need, who are trying to do the same thing. National isolation has more disadvantages than advantages, with economic diversity, we would be able to to have more allies and expand into the Asian market. But on the other hand, we cannot fully take an other nations land without fixing our own. America needs to improve on itself before we take a chance of gaining more land. Our duty as the US is to protect the Philippines and give them assistance, so other powers won’t seize them. At the end of the day, let the Filipinos decide on their choice of government.

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Sam Verhulst
Imperialism is morally wrong for both the individuals being imperialized and the imperials. If one lusts to take another's land, liberty without considering bettering his own and his fellow countrymen, he should first look at himself and self reflect upon his own country's state of being. Direction should be taken inward towards self improvement in ones own country which includes desegregation and inner transportation and economic interests. Imperialism also harms the individuals being imperialized. Deprived of the normal lives, they are now subjugated to rule over a government that will not give them a better quality of life. Also that the new government will not give them any say until statehood is given thought, until then the government is then a source of tyranny due to the fact that there is no representation as though the rest of the country has.

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Imperialism will bring honor to our nation, by choosing this prosperous path we with innovate and modernize our future generations and uphold economic blessings our nation will provide. By not choosing this way, we will betray God and His mission to us to act as a beacon of Liberty and Christianity. We must move forward with loyalty and bravery. With Imperialism there will be a expansion of our nation and indigenous nations will become modernly educated and religion and liberty will increase in a western way. Industrial nations will be able to spread their philosophy and exploit natural resources for profit, this would allow for more competitive nature in our nation which would only make up prosper.

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The Pilipinos speak a different language and have different religions than the Americans. American already has so many racial problems that bringing them here would just create more tension.

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Our nation is falling behind. In our modern climate one should view this struggle for survival and mission to thrive as a foot race. And if one does view society as a foot race they would quickly observe that the United States if falling behind. We are being beat by the Old Men of Europe. While we sit idle and isolated on all sides by rugged terrain and vast oceans the vast empires of Europe are quickly expanding. Expanding over Africa, Australia, and Asia. If we are to be a competitor and formidable power in the days and years to come then, as a nation, have to embrace the world renowned practice of imperialism. If not for our own sake we should at least involve ourselves over seas for the sake of the downtrodden. 

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Our nation is falling behind. In our modern climate one should view this struggle for survival and mission to thrive as a foot race. And if one does view society as a foot race they would quickly observe that the United States if falling behind. We are being beat by the Old Men of Europe. While we sit idle and isolated on all sides by rugged terrain and vast oceans the vast empires of Europe are quickly expanding. Expanding over Africa, Australia, and Asia. If we are to be a competitor and formidable power in the days and years to come then, as a nation, have to embrace the world renowned practice of imperialism. If not for our own sake we should at least involve ourselves over seas for the sake of the downtrodden. 

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In order to remain a Democratic nation and preserve the principals our nation was founded upon we must remain isolationist. Becoming an imperialistic nation requires us to become anti-democratic by forcing smaller nations to be governed by the United States. An example of this was in the Philippines when the United States imposed rule over the Filipino people without their consent. Imperialism breaks core Democratic values of individual freedom and self-government.

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Imperialism has paved the way for global modernization. As a result, other nations were able to develop faster than what they would have been able to do without the help. It also brought about a global defense program, industrialization and the exchange of traditions, cultural ideologies and customs. Innovation is the main focus American Imperialism, which should allow countries to gain as much profit as possible. This resulted in the development of new products and services.