There were several arguments put forth as to why the United States should annex the Philippines following the Spanish-American War. Shrewd propagandists, like Teddy Roosevelt and Henry Cabot Lodge, and others who wanted the US to become an imperialistic power, claimed that it was the duty of the "White race" to govern "inferior" peoples and bring them the joys of civilization. It was also believed among the military and commercial interests that if the US did not annex the islands, then Japan or Germany would take them and control them for their own military and economic advancement. Some Americans actually believed it would be best for the nation, it would unite the country following the war which divided some, if the Philippines were annexed to the US. President McKinley seemed to think it was right to annex the Philippines because the United States had already annexed lands prior to the war--namely, Hawaii. Commercial, military, and imperials all favored annexation.
