Treaty of Paris (1898)
Categories: 1898 in law | Spanish-American War | United States treaties | History of the Philippines
The Treaty of Paris of 1898, signed on December 10, 1898, ended the Spanish-American War.
The controversial treaty was the subject of debate in the US Senate during the winter of 1898-1899, and it was approved on February 6, 1899 by a one-vote margin of 52 to 27 (the Senate must approve treaties with a two-thirds majority), with only 2 Republicans opposed: George Hoar of Massachusetts and Eugene Hale of Maine.
In accordance with the treaty, the United States paid Spain US$20 million for possession of Guam, Puerto Rico and The Philippines who having thought themselves free of colonial rule then fought the United States in the Philippine-American War. Puerto Rico and Guam were also placed under American control, and Spain relinquished its claim to Cuba. The defeat put an end to the Spanish Empire, and marked the beginning of a period of an age of United States colonial power.
Senate debate to Ratify the Treaty
During the Senate debate to ratify the treaty, Senator George Frisbie Hoar and Senator George Graham Vest were outspoken opponents of the treaty.
- "This Treaty will make us a vulgar, commonplace empire, controlling subject races and vassal states, in which one class must forever rule and other classes must forever obey."--Senator Hoar
Some anti-imperialists maintained that expansionism violated the most basic tenets of the Constitution. They argued that neither Congress nor the President had the right to pass laws governing colonial peoples who were not represented by law-makers.
Senate Imperialists supported the treaty:
- "If the U.S. were to reject the treaty, Suppose we reject the Treaty. We continue the state of war. We repudiate the President. We are branded as a people incapable of taking rank as one of the greatest of world powers!"--Senator Henry Cabot Lodge
- "Providence has given the United States the duty of extending Christian civilization. We come as ministering angels, not despots."--Senator Knute Nelson
Imperialists maintained that the Constitution applied only to the citizens of the United States. Congress should not be able to prevent the President from exercising the same powers enjoyed by the heads of European states.
As the Senate debate continued, Andrew Carnegie and former President Cleveland petitioned the Senate to reject the treaty.