The Idea of American Exceptionalism in Cuba and in the Philippines
Focus for Week 5:American Exceptionalism: The Myth & Reality of an Idea In the 1900's, The United States had grown to be the number one country industrial power and in world power in global politics. This was a tremendous thing for the country and was good for almost everyone living in it. This however, increased American exceptionalism tremendously. This was the idea that their country, their culture and their ways of living, were the best and really the only smart ways to live. Many American's shared the idea that they were superior to all other countries.
They believed that because their country was so successful, their way of living was obviously the best and that other cultures were simply ignorant to such a successful and fulfilling way to live. During this time period, America also occupied both Cuba and the Philippines. America soon created the Platt Amendment, which required Cuba to allow America's military to intervene in their country in order to protect their rights. While America argued that they were there in order to protect Cuban's rights, many people believed that they were actually there in order to obtain more territory.
People began to debate whether or not the American military intervening in Cuba was actually beneficial to those living there or if it was in fact to give more power to America. Despite the argument, the Platt Amendment was not actually repealed by congress until 1934. America had a large impact on Cuba and the Philippines cultures during the time of World War l. Because American's believed their way of living was better than everyone else's, they thought that those who lived in these American colonies should be living by these standards. The people who lived in these colonies did not necessarily agree with this idea though, America simply decided for them that the American way was the best way and that they were too uncivilized to know otherwise Many politicians argued over whether annexing these islands was constitutional.
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Carl Schurz argued that it was wrong of our country to Occupy Cuba and the Philippians. He believed that these countries were too different from ours. Not only the people there, but also environmentally and based on distance. He believed that it was wrong for our country to continue to occupy these islands. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge had the opposing view. He claimed that our country had taken land from others in the past and that we would continue too whether we had permission or not. Despite the counter arguments, America continued to occupy these islands throughout World War 1. After the war was over, America pushed to help the Philippines. William Howard Taft, who had become the first civilian governor general of the Philippines, expanded the efforts to help the island. America funded new roads for them and started schools there in attempts to help their communities grow. The Philippines remains a colony of the United States to this day. Cuba, despite a few political and social issues, has also continued to grow but much more independently of the United States.
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