Introduction
As you learned in this chapter, the United States acquired the Philippines in the Spanish-American War. Before, during, and after the war, Americans debated what the United States should do with the territories acquired. Many Americans believed that the Filipinos were unfit for self-rule, and that the United States was bound by destiny to civilize the nation. Indiana Senator Albert Beveridge reflected this opinion in a speech before the Senate when he stated that God had made Americans "the master organizers of the world to establish system where chaos reigns." Some believed that such imperialistic notions ran counter to the tenets of American democracy. Two famous individuals who condemned U.S. policy in the Philippines were politician William Jennings Bryan and celebrated writer Mark Twain. Log on to this Web site to read speeches by these three orators on the issue of the annexation of the Philippines.

Destination Title: Great American Speeches

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Directions
Start at the Great American Speeches Web site.

• Scroll down to the "1900s" heading. The first three speeches deal with the annexation of the Philippines. Both Beveridge's speech to the Senate and Bryan's speech at the Democratic convention were delivered in 1900. Twain's speech was delivered in 1902 after American General Funston captured the Filipino resistance leader Aguinaldo.
• Click on each "speech" link to read all three speeches. Take notes as you go.

Read through the information, and then answer the following questions.