Chapter 2 - The Present in Perspective

Pre-Spanish Period | Spain Creates a Nation
A Change of Masters-The Amercian Period | Independent - at Last?

A Change of Masters - The American Period

Following Admiral Dewey's defeat of the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, the United States occupied the Philippines. Spain ceded the islands to the United States under the terms of the Treaty of Paris (December 10, 1898), which ended the war.

A war of resistance against U.S. rule, led by Revolutionary President Aguinaldo, broke out in 1899. Although Americans have traditionally used the term "the Philippine Insurrection", Filipinos refer to these hostilities as the Philippine-American War (1899-1902). Foreigners should know about this period.

In 1901, Aguinaldo was captured and swore allegiance to the United States. However resistance continued elsewhere. It proved to be a black period and around 10% of the population was massacred by American troops. Samar was singled out for special "pacification" following an uprising in Balangiga, which prompted massive retaliation including the indiscriminate killing of anyone "capable of carrying arms - including 10 year-old boys."

Eventually the rebellion was suppressed. The subsequent U.S. administration of the Philippines was declared as a temporary set-up aimed at developing institutions that would permit and encourage the eventual establishment of a free and democratic government. Therefore, U.S. officials concentrated on the creation of such practical support for democratic government as public education and a sound legal system. However little was done to break up the powerful clan system that had developed under the Spanish and which still dominates Philippines politics.

The first legislative assembly was elected in 1907. A bicameral legislature, largely under Philippine control, was established. A civil service was formed and was gradually taken over by the Filipinos, who had effectively gained control by the end of World War I. The Catholic Church was disestablished, and a considerable amount of church land was purchased and redistributed.

In 1935, under the terms of the Tydings-McDuffie Act, the Philippines became a self-governing Commonwealth. Manuel Quezon was elected president of the new government, which was designed to prepare the country for independence after a 10-year transition period. World War II intervened, however, and in May 1942 at Corregidor Island in Manila Bay, the last American stronghold fell. U.S. forces in the Philippines surrendered to the Japanese, placing the islands under Japanese control.

The start of the Bataan Death March in which Filipino and American prisoners of war were force marched from Mariveles at the tip of Bataan province to Tarlac in Pampanga province and in which thousands perished along the way is celebrated today as the "Day of Valor" (Araw ng Kagitingan).

The war to regain the Philippines began when General Douglas Macarthur landed on Leyte on October 20, 1944 fulfilling his historic vow "I shall return." Filipinos and Americans fought together until the Japanese surrender in September 1945. Much of Manila was destroyed during the final months of the fighting, and an estimated 1 million Filipinos lost their lives in this war.

As a result of the Japanese occupation, the guerrilla warfare that followed, and the battles leading to liberation, the country suffered great damage and a complete organizational breakdown. Despite the shaken state of the country, the United States and the Philippines decided to move forward with plans for independence. On July 4, 1946, the Philippine Islands became the independent Republic of the Philippines, in accordance with the terms of the Tydings-McDuffie Act. In 1962, the official Independence Day was changed from July 4 to June 12, which commemorates the date independence from Spain as declared by General Aguinaldo back in 1898.

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