Lecture 15: Navy Blues - US Navy Rule on Guam (1898-1941) Flashcards
What was the “Pre-war” era (US Naval era: 1898 - 1941) canonically like on Guam?
- Peaceful
- easy living
- “paradise”
In the Guam census of 1941, did everyone known everyone within their villages?
Yes
What was the canon view of Pre-war Chamorros?
*Chamorros as children – simple, compliant
*US colonialism as advantageous
*Americanization as generally beneficial
What was the counter-canonical view of Pre-war Chamorros?
- Political powerlessness: Navy autocracy
- Economic struggles
- Cultural challenges
How much did the US pay Spain and what areas did Spain surrendered to the US?
- US paid Spain $20M
- Spain surrendered Guam, Puerto
Rico, Philippines to US (Cuba protectorate)
What did the Treaty of Paris give the US Congress for those surrendered areas?
“plenary power” (absolute power)
over “civil and political rights of native inhabitants”
In the Insular Cases, did the US believe that its territories’ inhabitants have constitutional rights?
No since they believe that the natives were alien races.
What is Incorporated territory?
“in all respects a part of the US”
What is Unincorporated territory?
“not an integral part of the US?
What did the doctrine of territorial incorporation create?
2 territorial distinctions
Who was the first Governor of Guam?
US Navy Captain
Richard Leary
What is Autocracy?
– government by one person with absolute power
How many Governors were in Guam from 1898 - 1941
- 32 Governors in 42 years
What was Leary’s Autocracy laws?
- Made ringing church bells illegal
- Expelled Spanish Catholic Priests
- Made fiestas illegal
What were other governors laws on Guam?
– Racial Intermarriage illegal (Gov Gilmer, 1918)
– Whistling illegal (Gilmer, 1919)
– Chamorro formally banned in schools,
Dictionaries burned (Gov. Althouse, 1922)
What was the Petition of 1902 about?
States that:
Chamorros are Loyal, law-abiding, and patient
The government had grave defects
“military government…distasteful and highly
repugnant to the fundamental principles of
civilized government”
no limits for the governor’s actions
the natives had more freedom under Spain than US
Did Guam gain a congress?
Yes in 1917 which was called the Guam Congress
(It had appointed members and had advisory capacity only)
What was the economy of Guam in the pre-war era?
Primarily subsistence
– Ranch (lancho)
* “limited cash” economy
What were the jobs of Guam in the pre-war era? (Name like 3)
1920 census, sample jobs:
* Farmer, fisherman
* Blacksmith
* Carpenter
* Laundress
* Cooks, domestics
* Shoemaker
* Silversmith
* Teacher
Was there racial discrimination for labor pay between Americans and Chamorros?
Yes, Americans had higher wages than Chamorros.
(At that time, Americans get $1+ and Chamorros get a few cents for wages)
