<P> An early use of the term "anti-imperialist" occurred after the United States entered the Spanish--American War in 1898 . Most activists supported the war itself but opposed the annexation of new territory, especially the Philippines . The Anti-Imperialist League was founded on June 15, 1898 in Boston, in opposition of the acquisition of the Philippines, which happened anyway . The anti-imperialists opposed the expansion because they believed imperialism violated the credo of republicanism, especially the need for "consent of the governed ." </P> <P> Appalled by American imperialism, the Anti-Imperialist League, which included famous citizens such as Andrew Carnegie, Henry James, William James, and Mark Twain, formed a platform which stated </P> <P> We hold that the policy known as imperialism is hostile to liberty and tends toward militarism, an evil from which it has been our glory to be free . We regret that it has become necessary in the land of Washington and Lincoln to reaffirm that all men, of whatever race or color, are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness . We maintain that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed . We insist that the subjugation of any people is "criminal aggression" and open disloyalty to the distinctive principles of our Government...We cordially invite the cooperation of all men and women who remain loyal to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States . </P> <P> Fred Harrington states, "the anti-imperialist's did not oppose expansion because of commercial, religious, constitutional, or humanitarian reasons but instead because they thought that an imperialist policy ran counter to the political doctrines of the Declaration of Independence, Washington's Farewell Address, and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address". </P>

What was not a reason for us imperialism