Module 5 Reflection: American Empire 1898

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Although the United States had a long history of international economic, military, and cultural connections that reflected around the eighteenth century and so forth, Spanish-Americans and Philippine-American Wars (1898–1902) had a crucial turning impact in American history. With conflict from the Philippines, the U.S next two decades would become involved in international politics, particularly in Latin America. New conflicts and territorial problems forced Americans to confront the elements of imperialism. Foreign interventions and taking over territories would be questionable for many. The Spanish-American and Philippine-American Wars brought questions that brought discussions of American expansion, out into the open.

The Philippines were an afterthought of the Spanish-Americans after the United States found itself in a position to be a part of the Pacific. After winning over the Spanish in the Battle of Manila Bayn many spoke about how to continue with the attentions of President McKinley, political leaders from both parties, and the popular press. American and Philippine forces (under the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo) were in communication. Americans were told to secure Manila without allowing the Philippines to create platforms based on ideas about American identity. Some accused American imperialism in the Philippines as something regular and the extension of a never-ending westward American expansion. They felt that it was destined and many saw imperialism as a way to bring the nation by authority and power around the world. The American Dream was being inputted in terms to happen but many sources of communication were still continuing to intervene.

Triangle: 9th Floor Victims

In the documentary, they spoke about the harsh realities of working in factories for low wages for over 40 hours a week. During the 20th century, many immigrants came to New York City to better their life, so they thought. Workers' safety was not taken as seriously as it should have been. March of 1911 a factory had burnt to the ground causing many to try to escape through shallow exits, jump to their death or burn to death. 146 lives were lost on March 25, 1911 which created a huge outrage in Manhattan, New York City.