White Man's Burden 101 Book Report

In 1898, the United States switched to imperialism by taking Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and Hawaii, then to make the mark, the Philippines. For the most part of history the United States of America was in opposition to the idea of taking and claiming colonies, they believed that colonies had the right to be self-governed. However, it was the motivation by the overproduction of economy that drove America into imperialism. Cuba would become independent from Spain, with the intention that US occupation forces would eventually leave Cuba to become a free nation, as the Teller Amendment had promised. Also, the US would get Guam, a small Spanish island colony that the US had taken by surprise attack, as well as Puerto Rico. The people that were for annexing the islands argued that there were business interests in
The argument shown in the cartoon is that Uncle Sam is greedily taking the Philippines and at the time reassuring them that he will educate and Christianize them. In the background a Filipino is praying to Jesus in hopes that they can be a country that is self-governed, and not taken over by another imperialist country. While this is happening, one sees that Uncle Sam is standing on a book, the title of the book was “Imperialism 101” however that was crossed out and “White Man’s Burden 101” was written and then that was crossed out and Christianity 101 was written. This is done to show the hypocrisy used by America in the Spanish American War. As getting in the conflict was in itself imperialism, however the American government changed that to “the White Man’s Burden” meaning that it is the sole duty of the American government to help out those that cannot govern themselves. Therefore, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Hawaii were annexed. The question of what to do with the Philippines remained, however. American leaders decided that granting the Philippines self-government would be a prelude to