Schurz believed that instead of using force, the United States could have supported Philippine independence and it still would have been able to obtain trade with Asia. In 1898 the Spanish American War ended Spanish control of the Philippines, but U.S. military forces continued to fight against Filipino rebels seeking full independence. In response, a group of famous Americans, including Carl Schurz, Mark Twain, and journalist E.L. Godkin organized the Anti-Imperialist League to advocate an end to U.S. involvement in that country. The League’s opposition was based on its interpretation of U.S. history.