What does McKinley mean by the Philippines "dropped into our laps"?

The phrase "dropped into our laps" refers to the unexpected acquisition of the Philippines by the United States as a direct result of the Spanish-American War. McKinley’s comment highlights how the war set in motion a series of events that led to the Philippines becoming a territory of the United States, despite the original goal of the war being to liberate Cuba from Spanish rule. Following the swift defeat of Spain, the Treaty of Paris was signed in December 1898, which formally ceded the Philippines to the U.S. This pivotal moment in American history marked the beginning of a more aggressive phase of American imperialism, where the U.S. began to exert its influence and control over territories beyond its continental borders. Thus, the annexation of the Philippines signifies a key turning point in U.S. foreign policy and imperial ambitions.