Colonization of the Philippines

The Philippines historically suffered under Spanish rule prior to its annexation by the United States. However, American colonization of the region, while pledged to be altruistic, proved to support a hidden agenda of gaining an Asian territory of military and social importance, similar in the imperialistic tradition of major European countries. The acquisition of the Philippines was met with strong opposition by Filipinos charging the U.S. presence to be imperialistic, but the considerable value it brought to Philippine politics, the economy, and the social welfare of its people have, in some ways, justified the U.S. struggle for possession.

European imperialism in the 1800s proved highly profitable for both the Dutch East Indies and the British Indies, as rival European powers strived to conquer foreign territories for their own profit. These ideal colonies were models of success for the Dutch and Great Britain as they gained from...
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