What if the USA had fully annexed Cuba and the Philippines?

[OstundwestRevived]

I'm unsure were I should put this scenario, the Spanish American War only lasted until mid 1898, but the first Philippine Republic was defeated by the US in 1902. If the annexation had happed I'm sure that it would be fairly controversial in the USA since it would bring in millions of yellow and brown Catholics into America, which was a mostly White and Protestant nation at this point. I don't think it would be particularly popular in the Philippines either, who would want indepence instead. The Cubans would however be happier since there were in fact many Cuban Rebels during before and during the Spanish American War who wanted their country to join the USA. So I will therefore ask you if this scenario could be made to work in some way?

 

[Lalli]

Annexation of Cuba might be possible but Philippines is basically doomed. USA has not chances to annex the place. It needed yars of brutal warfare to keep some order on the islands and finally had allow independence. And like OP stated Americans wouldn't want millions of non-white Catholics. Furthermore population of Philippines is so high that it should had needed to divided at least three separate states. Probably four states would be even more reasonable solution.

But Cuba would be indeed easier altough it has wait statehood pretty long. But since population is higher than Puerto Rico Cuba would eventually gain statehood unlike Puerto Rico.

 

[TheLastKnight]

To get Cuba into the Union as a state, all that would have to happen is that the US doesn't annex Hawaii first. Congress would need to refuse to annex the Republic of Hawaii till after the Spanish-American War. This would make sure that the Teller Amendment wouldn't be created. The Teller Amendment was created by Senator Henry Teller to mainly protect his sugar and beet interests in Hawaii. With Hawaii not annexed to the US, then there is no real opposition to Cuba joining the Union. Puerto Rico would either remain a territory or would be made a part of the State of Cuba. The Philippines would have to be divided to have a reasonable chance to become a state. Like a State of Luzon, State of MIndanao and a State of the Visayas. But yes, it would be a long time before the Philippine states to be admitted as they were dominated by Catholics and Muslims. It would just be easier to maintain a protectorate over the Philippines and then give it independence later like in OTL

 

[Lalli]

To get Cuba into the Union as a state, all that would have to happen is that the US doesn't annex Hawaii first. Congress would need to refuse to annex the Republic of Hawaii till after the Spanish-American War. This would make sure that the Teller Amendment wouldn't be created. The Teller Amendment was created by Senator Henry Teller to mainly protect his sugar and beet interests in Hawaii. With Hawaii not annexed to the US, then there is no real opposition to Cuba joining the Union. Puerto Rico would either remain a territory or would be made a part of the State of Cuba. The Philippines would have to be divided to have a reasonable chance to become a state. Like a State of Luzon, State of MIndanao and a State of the Visayas. But yes, it would be a long time before the Philippine states to be admitted as they were dominated by Catholics and Muslims. It would just be easier to maintain a protectorate over the Philippines and then give it independence later like in OTL

Full option for PR be being either independent same way as Cuba in OTL or allowing Spain keep that (altough latter is still pretty unlikely)?

 

[TheLastKnight]

Full option for PR be being either independent same way as Cuba in OTL or allowing Spain keep that (altough latter is still pretty unlikely)?

Why though? If the war went how it went in OTL, and the resulting peace was the same, then PR is either going to be a US territory or a part of Cuba. PR was already being administered from Havana anyway. Now another result of Cuba being a US state is that Florida would lose out economically and politically. Miami would be a sleepy coastal town, DIsney World would likely be outside Havana or Santiago, Cuba would become the prime vacation place for Americans in the Caribbean, as well as the premier retirement location. Not to mention, the bases for the navy and the marines would be better located in Cuba. Cuba would likely take Florida's place as a powerful state in the Electoral College.

 

[Sasza]

Florida would continue to be a major ballistics testing center after WWII.

 

[drakeVL]

Annexation of Cuba might be possible but Philippines is basically doomed. USA has not chances to annex the place. It needed yars of brutal warfare to keep some order on the islands and finally had allow independence. And like OP stated Americans wouldn't want millions of non-white Catholics. Furthermore population of Philippines is so high that it should had needed to divided at least three separate states. Probably four states would be even more reasonable solution.

But Cuba would be indeed easier altough it has wait statehood pretty long. But since population is higher than Puerto Rico Cuba would eventually gain statehood unlike Puerto Rico.

maybe puerto rico and cuba could have been one state in that case ?