What was a major reason for public opposition to the Philippine Insurrection?

The major reason for public opposition to the Philippine Insurrection was the incompatibility of colonial acquisition with American values. During this period, many Americans grappled with the implications of imperialism and the principles that underpinned the nation’s founding. The core American ideals of self-determination, democracy, and liberty clashed with the idea of subjugating another nation and imposing colonial rule. Critics of the war argued that it contradicted the very values that America promoted at home and abroad, particularly in light of the country’s own struggle for independence from colonial powers.

This debate was not merely academic; it sparked significant public discourse about what it meant to be an American and the moral implications of empire. Many felt that engaging in such conflicts undermined the nation's moral standing and was contrary to the spirit of liberty that the United States had championed. This concern about the ethical ramifications of American imperialism significantly contributed to the opposition to the insurrection.