The anti-imperialists were against wars and most importantly non-contiguous territory or people with different language or culture. The United States joined the race for empire once they declared war with Spain. As a result of entering war with Spain, the anti-imperialists spoke out. The anti-imperialists believed that the United States would struggle to uphold the Declaration of Independence as an empire. Moreover, anti-imperialists supported the old beliefs of what the core of America was built on such as self government, a combination of laws that helped everyone and freedom. The Anti-imperialist League led by William Sumner opposed the occupation of the Philippines during the Spanish-American war. Anti-imperialism instigated in the late 19 th century and the early 20 th century in disagreement to the United States taking over the Philippines. Anti-imperialists argued that the annexation of the Philippines violated the constitutional precept of government through the consent of the governed.
Manifest Destiny implied that the U.S. had the God-given right and obligation to expand westward, spread their beliefs and culture, and obtain new land.
