The American Colonization in the

Philippines

A PHOTO ESSAY BY LILIE MANNA AND MADISON MAY

In comparison to many other countries that were being colonized during the late nineteenth

century and early twentieth century, the Philippines stood out for many reasons. Previous to American colonization in the late eighteen-nineties, the Philippines had already been colonized by Spain for many years; so the country had already been adjusted to imperialism. The Filipino people were expecting support from the U.S in their newly found independence, yet were dismayed to learn that they were again ruled by an imperial power. However, compared to other countries the Philippines were still far ahead in the move towards independence. With the help of a “successful” American rule, the Philippines were able to make a somewhat tranquil transition to freedom.

During the Imperial rule in the Philippines there were many positive outcomes. One of the biggest advantages was the education provided by the U.S for the Filipino people. People were able to come to the United States to get a proper college or higher level education. Filipinos had set themselves apart from other countries in their strive for a higher level of education. Another advantage that the U.S system of government offered was their impact on the Filipino people and their ideals. People of this colony also had a highly organized revolutionary modernity that many other countries did not have at this point. The U.S wanted to civilize and Christianize them, teaching them a better way to live. Though there were positive effects of U.S occupation and colonization there were also some negative points. Many people in the U.S were confused as to why the U.S needed a colony, and some elite members of the Filipino society were causing trouble for the states. The colonization of the Philippines occurred to benefit both sides, and compared to other countries it was ultimately successful. When the Filipinos continued to gain independence they kept what the U.S had taught them, which helped obtain higher morals and a better system of government.

Overview Summary

The Philippines were a Spanish colony for nearly three hundred and thirty years, and the locals had been crying for independence for decades. Finally independence was granted to the colony in 1898. Expecting support from other countries such as the United States, the Philippines were celebrating their newly found independence.

Ruled By Spain

This is a political cartoon that

was published in the U.S. in 1898. The cartoon shows President McKinley taking the savage (The Philippines) and debating how to handle the country. “There was nothing left for us to do but to take them all and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift, and civilize, and Christianize them,” said President McKinley. The U.S. took the Philippines as their personal responsibility.

What to do with Philippines?

On April 11, 1899 John Hay

the Secretary of State

signing the Paris of Treaty.

In this treaty Spain ceded

the Philippines, Guam, and

Puerto Rico to the United

States for about $20 million

dollars after the Spanish

American War. This gave

the U.S. three more colonies

to control. The Filipinos had

not been consulted about

American rule.

Treaty of Paris

Soon after the Treaty of Paris was signed two battles broke out between the Americans and the Filipinos, the first was between the Moros (or Muslims) in Mindanao and lasted until 1912. The Americans set up a government with no regard to the Moros culture and religion which caused a war to break out.

War Breaks Out!

Filipino leader Emilio Aguinaldo began guerrilla war tactics against the American, hiding in bamboo thickets and bushes; both armies commenced war through guerrilla tactics. By the end of 1902 seven thousand Americans had been killed and more than two hundred thousand Filipinos had died.

War Tactics

Under America’s rule the

Filipinos were denied employment and white inhabitants had more rights. The Filipinos were upset with America because they thought America was going to support them in their independence; however America did not trust them. These “Anti-Filipino” feelings resulted in raids and revolts and overall unhappiness. This was a newspaper published on March 23rd, 1899, and it was not uncommon to see titles like this one.

Anti-Filipino Attitudes

Though there were many things that were seen as negative for the Filipinos, America also tried to help them as best they could. They adapted college or higher level education in the colony and taught them better ways to survive.

America Begins to Benefit

During America’s era of control, “Filipinization” was allowed. Filipinization was a compromise that allowed colonial authorities some government action. Elite citizens in the colony were elected as a member of the Philippine Commission, which was allowed to draft acts and have a potential say in the government. Taken in 1914, this photo shows the Philippine Commission, and many mayors of different villages.

Filipinization

At the Manila Grand Opera House, the Filipinos established their want for independence. President Theodore Roosevelt addressed the Philippine Assembly and addressed their fellow delegates and proclamation, and the path to independence had started.

Road to Independence

On July 4th, 1946, the

United States Government restored full independence in the Philippines. After battling different imperial powers for years, the Filipinos finally achieves their dreams. They were ahead of other countries trying to gain their freedom from the beginning, and that is why they were successful.

Freedom At Last!

“Proclamation of Philippine Independence.” 1898. National Liberation, Painting. Accessed June 12, 2013. http://www.padidioni.wordpress.com/. “What Will He Do?”. 1898. The Eyes of the World are upon him- William McKinley. Cartoon. Accessed on June 10, 2013. http://www.authorama.com/true-version-of-the-philippine-revolution-1.html Frances Johnston “John Hay Signs the Treat of Paris”. April, 11 1899. Photograph. Accessed on June 11, 2013. http://archive.org/details/harperspictorial00milerich “A Long Buried War with the Moros” 1913. Painting. Accessed on June 10, 2013. http://endeavors.unc.edu/win2006/feature_04.php Arnaldo Dumindin. “Philippine-America n War”. 1899. Americans engaging Filipinos in Bamboo thicket. Photograph. Accessed on June 10, 2013. http://philippineamericanwar.webs.com/guerillawarfare1899.htm “Anti-Filipino Feelings Flare Up in Raids”. 1898. Newspaper. Accessed on June 10, 2013. http://jgasampop.blogspot.com/2009/12/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html

Pictography

“American Education in the Philippines.” 1901. Photograph. Accessed on June 10, 2013. http://www.authorama.com/true-version-of-the-philippine-revolution-1.html

“Filipinization”. 1914. Allowing colonial authorities some government action while America had complete control. Photograph. Accessed June 11, 2013. http://www.morolandhistory.com/03.PG-Americans/4.americans.htm

“Establishing the Philippine Assembly”. 1902. William Taft addresses the new assembly. Photograph. Accessed June 11, 2013. http://www.manilagrandopera.com/content/pre-world-war-ii/

“Filipino Independence”. July 4, 1946. Resetoration and recognition of independence. Photograpg. Accessed June 11, 2013. http://philippineamericanwar.webs.com/aguinaldo19021964.htm

Pictography Continued