Propaganda & Mass Persuasion: Imperialism-Its Dangers and Wrongs

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Imperialism-Its Dangers and Wrongs


Imperialism-Its Dangers and Wrongs by Samuel Gompers

"If the Philippines are annexed what is to prevent the Chinese, the Negritos and the Malays coming into our country?"

This quote is one of Gompers' main arguments. He fears that if the United States expands into the Pacific and annexes the Philippines, then the Philippines would be a gateway for the "Chinese and the semi-savage races" to come into our country. Gompers greatest fear was that the Chinese would "swarm into the United States" and "engulf" our civilization.

Another point that Gompers makes is if the United States were to force themselves onto the Philippines, "how many lives shall we take?" Gompers seems to be against installing a government in the Philippines through violence. He questions if there will be any sympathy in the United States for the killings in the Philippines. He finishes his speech by saying that the "semi-savages" in the Philippines have the same natural rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

1 Comments:

Blogger A. Mattson said...

A good post.

What kind of arguments is Gompers making against the annexation of the Philippines? What role does race play in this? How is race used to argue for and against the war?

2/15/2007 12:59 AM  

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