Question

"…In the forcible annexation of the Philippines our nation neither adds to its strength nor secures broader opportunities for the American people.
Even if the principle of conquest were permissible under American public law, the conquest of territory so remote from our shores, inhabited by people who have no sympathy with our history or our customs, and who resent our attempt to overthrow their declaration of independence, would be a tax [burden] upon our military and naval strength the magnitude of which cannot now be determined.
Who can estimate in money and men the cost of subduing and keeping in subjection eight millions of people, six thousand miles away, scattered over twelve hundred islands and living under a tropical sun?…
Source: William Jennings Bryan, “Will It Pay?,” Bryan et al., Republic or Empire? The Philippine Question,
The Independence Company, 1899

Based on documents 2a and 2b, what are two ways the United States might be affected by the Spanish- American War?"

Answer 1

After reading the information above and doing some research online about the documents 2a and 2b, I can give you a few reasons why the U.S might be affected by the Spanish-American war. 

1. An enlightened foreign policy led to rational expansion. Rational expansion led the United States to annex Puerto Rico and Hawaii. 

2. Annexation of the Philippines will be a burden because the Philippine people  want to be independent. 

3. Also annexing the Philippine people would greatly tax our military and naval strength.