What was the main argument of the Anti-Imperialist League?

The main argument of the Anti-Imperialist League centered around the belief that imperialism fundamentally contradicted American democratic principles. Members of the league argued that by extending control over foreign territories and peoples against their will, the United States was betraying its foundational ideals of self-determination and liberty. They believed that the very essence of democracy was the right of individuals and nations to govern themselves without external coercion, which imperialism inherently violated.

This stance was rooted in the nation's historical context, as the United States had initially fought for its independence from colonial rule. Therefore, many Anti-Imperialist League members viewed the expansionist policies of the late 19th and early 20th centuries as hypocritical and detrimental to the nation's moral standing. They contended that such practices not only undermined the democratic values that the United States represented but also could lead to entanglement in foreign conflicts and a departure from the country's republican ideals.