America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

The U.S. colonization of the Philippines was significantly motivated by the desire to gain strategic military access in Asia. Following the Spanish-American War in 1898, the acquisition of the Philippines provided the United States with a key location for military, naval, and commercial operations in the Pacific. Positioned between Asia and the Americas, the Philippines became an important waypoint for American trade and military presence, particularly as the U.S. sought to counterbalance growing powers in the region, such as Japan and Germany.

Control over the Philippines facilitated the establishment of a stronger military foothold in Asia, allowing the U.S. to extend its influence and protect its interests. This strategic positioning aligned with the broader trends of American imperialism at the time, which included expansion into overseas territories.

While spreading democratic values, exploiting natural resources, and addressing immigration were aspects of U.S. policy and concerns, they were secondary to the primary strategic military objectives that drove the decision to colonize the Philippines. The focus on military access underscores the geopolitical considerations that shaped early 20th-century American foreign policy, particularly in a rapidly modernizing Asia.