Why did the Americans buy the Philippines?

As we approached the end of the 1800s, the United States was looking to expand the concept of Manifest Destiny worldwide. We also wanted to become a world power. Since other countries already controlled most of the lands suitable for colonization, we most likely were going to gain this land by going to war.

When the Spanish were mistreating the Cubans, American newspapers over-exaggerated this event. Newspapers used a practice called yellow journalism to whip up anti-Spanish sentiment in our country. When the U.S.S. Maine exploded in Havana harbor, people blamed Spain. The pressure to declare war against Spain was very high. Eventually, we did go to war against Spain in what is known as the Spanish-American War.

The United States defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War. As a result of the peace treaty ending this war, the United States got control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. We paid Spain $20 million specifically for the Philippines. Thus, the United States got control of the Philippines as a result of the treaty ending the ending the Spanish-American War.