<P> The American Anti-Imperialist League was an organization established on June 15, 1898, to battle the American annexation of the Philippines as an insular area . The anti-imperialists opposed expansion, believing that imperialism violated the fundamental principle that just republican government must derive from "consent of the governed ." The League argued that such activity would necessitate the abandonment of American ideals of self - government and non-intervention--ideals expressed in the United States Declaration of Independence, George Washington's Farewell Address and Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address . The Anti-Imperialist League was ultimately defeated in the battle of public opinion by a new wave of politicians who successfully advocated the virtues of American territorial expansion in the aftermath of the Spanish--American War and in the first years of the 20th century . </P> <P> The idea for an Anti-Imperialist League was born in the spring of 1898 . On June 2, retired Massachusetts banker James E. McCormick published a letter in the Boston Evening Transcript in which he sought assistance gaining access to historic Faneuil Hall to hold a public meeting to organize opponents of American colonial expansion . An opponent of the Spanish--American War, Bradford decried what he saw as an "insane and wicked" colonial ambition among some American decision - makers which was "driving the country to moral ruin ." Bradford's organizing efforts proved successful, and on June 15, 1898 his protest meeting against "the adoption of an imperial policy by the United States" was held . </P>

What was the main goal of the anti-imperialist league