American Period

American Period Introduction :December 10,1898-the Treaty of Paris was signed between US and SpainProvision: Cession of the Philippines to the Us in the amount of 20 million dollars American Vested Interest in the Country:1. Expanding American business in the Orient.2. Naval and military interest making the Philippines as their first line of defense in the South East Asia.3.Religious-base of operation for American Protestant missionaries.With the conclusion of the said treaty, Pres. William McKinley issued his so-called Benevolent Assimilation ProclamationBenevolent Assimilation Proclamation it is the 1st indication of the American policy in the Phils. (Dec.28,1898)A. American Military Rule in the Philippines1)August 14,1899-Gen.Wesley Merrit established the military government and exercised the po- wers on July 4,1899 2) Re-establish the Supreme Court-composed of nine justices, six of whom were Filipinos3)Reorganized the local Government headed by Cayetano Arellano.B. Foundations of the American Policy in the Philippines 1).Spooner Amendments-w/c gave the president of the US full powers in administering the Philippines. Schurmann Commission-recommended the establishment of the civil government, a bicameral legislature and system of public education.Taft commission- which embodied the basic principle of American Policy in the Philippines. 1.Apolinario Mabini and Irreconcilable did not believe in the sincerity of the American. C. Early American policy and Filipino Nationalism2.Policy of repression was implemented to assert American sovereignty.3.Enhancements of Sedetion Law which made any advocacy of Independence or separation from the US whether peaceful or forcible means punishable by death or long punishment.