Chapter 5, Imperial Democracy Summary

With the Spanish fleet destroyed in Manila, McKinley appoints Major General Wesley Merritt to command the U.S. Army to take the city itself, still held by the Spanish. Counsel tells the president for the first time that it may well be necessary to fight the native population, as well as the Spanish. Staff disagrees on the occupation size and whether the occupation should be limited to just the city itself. When asked by Merritt to clarify the overall U.S. mission, McKinley gives very vague answers. There are inferences of giving natives autonomy and declaring martial law. McKinley's inauguration pledge to not seek to gain territory beyond the borders of the United States has been long forgotten. He seems to have no plan. He is just going along with popular opinion.

Many powerful individuals who had not previously...