Question

how did concerns about American masculinity influence the decision to annex the Philippines?

Answer 1

• The major influence was the concern about the masculinity of American men. Imperialists believed that it was a humanitarian obligation to get involved because the Filipino men were depicted as savages and as little girls.
• They saw to it that it was their right to the country to urge concern and do something about this problem. Imperialist believed that the Filipino men were so feminine that couldn’t successfully govern their own people. The main reason this idea was pushed to the Americans was on the account that they were terrified of how unmasculine they have become. In the United States the birth rate was falling and the imperialist saw to it as a no coincidence that American men are becoming unmasculine.
• These imperialists argued that it was the right of the country to get involved in the situation because of how unmanly the Filipino men were. Imperialists believed that they were so unmanly that they couldn’t possibly govern themselves.
• Annexationists’ concern over masculinity attributes was not the only dependent factor in the American decision to hold the Philippines. This concern also reinforced the influence of other factors as well. Indeed, the main decision of annexing the Philippines was intended to assist America in its quest to achieve social control in the form of racial superiority in terms of men gaining control of their women and family life.
• Other than this, this concern influenced other factors including pushing America towards gaining power. Cabot Lodge, Teddy Roosevelt intended for America to develop into an imperialistic power. These and other leaders felt that America had an obligation towards governing lesser-developed states, including the Philippines.