Justin+S.+-+PA+-+SP10

Mark Twain

Occupation: Author

Position On Issue: When the Philippine War started, i was whole heartedly for the annexation of the Philippines. I thought that it would be a great idea for our country to invade the Spanish Philippines and relieve them of Spanish tyranny, but after a year or so of continued occupation of the Philippines, I have come to realize that it will be a long time before this country pulls itself out of the quagmire that it has gotten itself into. Our campaign had the original purpose of freeing the Filipino's and helping them establish a government of their own. I would say that I am anti-imperialist because I feel that you should not force a government on a group of people that don't want the same thing as you. For this reason I have changed my views from imperialist to anti-imperialist.

Reasons For Interest:
 * I believe that is wrong to impose a government plan on a group of people who want their own government.
 * We first invaded the Philippines trying to get rid of Spanish rule
 * We wanted to give the Filipino people their freedom but instead gave them another foreign rule.
 * "I am opposed to having the Eagle put its talons on any other land."
 * I used to be all for the acquisition of the Philippines until I read the Treaty of Paris which stated that owning the Philippines also meant that we were responsible for the friars and their property. This changed my mind to not wanting the Philippines.

Sources:
 * "Mark Twain on Imperialism - HistoryWiz primary source Imperialism." //HistoryWiz: for students, teachers and lovers of history//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. [].
 * "Mark Twain quotations - Imperialism." //Mark Twain quotations//. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Mar. 2010. [].