Chapter 19The Impact

ofAmerican Rule

1898-1935

• What is the impact of American rule on the Filipinos- on their economy, politics, society, and culture? United States improved the economy and system of government, where the Filipinos had greater political participation and more economic gains. The American rule caused great marks of “colonial mentality” and the materialistic and individualistic ways among many Filipinos.

Education and the School System

• America’s greatest achievement in the Philippine was the introduction of the public school system.

• Overall, the public school system increased the number of Filipinos who knew how to read and write. In 1903, the literacy rate was 44.2%. This rose to 49.2% in 1918, when a second census was taken.

• The oldest university founded under the Americans was Siliman University in Dumaguete City, followed by Central Philippine University in Iloilo City. The University of the Philippines was founded in 1908 in Manila. Education under the Americans advanced rapidly and was not equaled by any other colonizing power.

Improvement in Trade and Industry

• In 1909, Philippine exports amounted to 60.9 million pesos. In 1910-1914, it rose to 94.7 million pesos. In 1914-1918, the amount of exports further increased to 177.3 million pesos, and in 1925-1930, the exports amounted to 297.9 million pesos. Except during World War I, from 1914-1918, Philippine foreign trade enjoyed a favorable balance of trade.

Public Health and Welfare• In 1901, the Americans created the

Board of Public Health, which later on became a bureau.

• It’s duties were to construct the people in hygiene and sanitation and to combat the people’s ignorance and superstitions which were the greatest enemies of medicine and public health.

• The Americans taught the Filipinos nutrition. Balanced diet, consisting of large amounts of all known vitamins and minerals was introduced.

• As a result, the Filipinos became healthier and taller. It is estimated that height of the average Filipino in 1900 was five feet and three or four inches. By 1920, the average height may be estimated at five feet and six inches.

• In industry, the Philippines also prospered under the Americans.

• Coconut oil mills, cigar and cigarette factories, rope factories, fishing and fish canning, alcohol small distilleries, and sugar centrals were established throughout the Philippines.

• More laborers were employed and Filipino capital.

• In 1929, gold mining produced almost seven million pesos worth of gold. In 1935, the year of the Commonwealth, it produced almost thirty-two million pesos worth gold.

Transportation and Communication

• The railway line was likewise extended. In 1903, there were less than 200 kilometers of railway. In 1935, it rose to more than 1,000 kilometers. The Manila-Dagupan Railway, founded during the Spanish period, was acquired by the government and became the Manila Railroad Company.

• The line was extended to the provinces of Northern and Southern Luzon, thereby bringing them closer than before.

Democracy and Civil Liberties

• The American regime recognized the equality of men before the law and right of every man to all the freedoms-freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to complain, and freedom to change’s one domicle (a place permanent residence)

Political parties• The parties then had a political platform which

Filipinos learned from the Americans.• In time, the good as well as the bad

characteristics of the political party system in United States were adopted by the Filipinos.

• The result of this system of political parties was the increase in the knowledge of government machinery and government affairs by the wealthy and educated Filipinos.

• This kind of politics, ironically was deepened during the time of Governor-General Harrison, when more Filipinos came to control the lawmaking body and government bureaucracy.

Language and Literature• McKinley ordered that the English language be

made as the medium of instruction in all public schools.

• Some Filipinos began to write in English.• By 1935, many Filipino writers in English

distinguished themselves in poetry, short stories, and essays. A few wrote dramas and novels. Some of the poems and short stories of Filipino writers in English were published in the U.S.

• Words like putbol (football), basketbol (basketball), pawl (foul), boksing (boxing), bistik (beefsteak), kendi (candy) and many others are now part of the tagalog vocabulary.

Negative Results of American Rule

• The Philippines became dependent exclusively on the United States to continue prosper economically.

• There was no real industrialization in the hands of Filipino capital.

• Our own delicacies and heroes are no longer appreciated. Filipino people focus about American culture.

• Materialistic view of life has weakened the Filipino’s communal spirit towards an individualistic and consumerist way of life.

Pictures

Thomasites

University of the Philippines (Diliman)

Siliman University

Central Philippine University

Railway Line