Following the Spanish-American War, there were two opposing American opinions regarding the expansion of U.S. territory. The imperialists believed in the need for the United States to acquire new territories to increase its global influence and economic power. They saw the acquisition of territories like the Philippines as crucial in establishing a strong American presence in the Pacific. On the other hand, the anti-imperialists argued against territorial expansion, believing it went against American principles of self-determination and was a betrayal of the nation's founding values. They believed that the United States should focus on its own internal affairs rather than engaging in foreign conflicts and acquiring colonies.
