Who was a notable critic of American imperialism during this era?

Mark Twain was a notable critic of American imperialism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As one of the founding members of the Anti-Imperialist League, he voiced strong opposition to U.S. involvement in imperialistic ventures, particularly regarding the annexation of the Philippines following the Spanish-American War. Twain believed that imperialism contradicted the core principles of democracy and freedom that the United States was founded upon. In his writings and speeches, he expressed concern that expansionism would lead to the oppression of other peoples and undermine America's moral integrity as a nation.

The other figures listed—Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson—were all associated with American expansionist policies in some form during their political careers. Roosevelt, for instance, was a proponent of naval expansion and the construction of the Panama Canal, embodying the imperialist spirit of the era. Taft supported policies that reinforced American influence in Latin America through dollar diplomacy, and Wilson's presidency was marked by interventions in Latin America and a belief in spreading democracy. Thus, Twain stands out as a prominent figure who actively critiqued these imperialistic policies and advocated for a more humane and principled approach to international relations.