AMERICAN

COLONIALISM IN THE
PHILIPPINES
Coming of the Americans
The issuance of Teller Resolution on April 21, 1898 contains the declaration
of war of USA against Spain. The American war against Spain was formally
declared on April 25, 1898.
➢ Reasons why USA declare war against Spain:
1. The reported maltreatment of American citizens in Cuba;
2. The publication of the letter of Spanish ambassador to America Enrique
Dupuy de Lome criticizing the policies of president McKinley and referring
him as a weakling president; and,
3. The bombing and sinking of the American military naval warship “Maine”
on Feb 15, 1898 at Havana, Cuba.
After the declaration of war, American Consul-General E. Spencer
Pratt met with Emilio Aguinaldo in Singapore. In this meeting,
Pratt sought Aguinaldo's support against Spain. As Aguinaldo
expressed his eagerness to return to the Philippines, Pratt then
cabled Commodore George Dewey in Hong Kong and arranged
for Aguinaldo's return to the Philippines.

Commodore George Dewey, commander of American Asiatic

Squadron, and his men sailed from Hongkong to attack Manila.
On May 1, 1898 Dewey’s forces defeated the Spanish forces in
Manila under the leadership of Admiral Patricio Montojo. This was
the so called Battle of Manila Bay or the “Mock” Battle of Manila
Bay.
The war between Spain and USA ended with
the signing of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 on
Dec. 10, 1898 that formally ended the
Spanish occupation of the Philippines and
also changed the life of the Filipinos, including
the Moros later on, forever.
 Establishment of
the First Republic
Proclamation of 1898 Philippine Independence
➢ In anticipation of rebel armies' ultimate triumph, on
June 12, 1898, between four and five in the afternoon,
General Aguinaldo proclaimed the Las Islas Filipinas'
independence in Kawit, Cavite.
➢ The national anthem entitled Marcha Nacional Filipina
(formerly Marcha Filipina Magdalo), composed by
Julian Felipe, was played by the town band of San
Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias).
➢ After the proclamation of Philippine Independence, Gen. Aguinaldo
changed the form of government from dictatorial to revolutionary.
➢ By a decree of June 18, 1898, President Aguinaldo organized the
municipal and provincial governments. He directed the town’s
chiefs in all provinces to elect members to a Congress from among
the residents in these provinces who are noted for their education
and social position.
➢ On August 1, 1898, the first Convention of municipal residents held
in Bacoor, Cavite, the revolutionary government's capital. The
Declaration of the Philippine Independence was ratified in this
Convention.
Revolutionary Government
➢ On June 29, 1898, Gen. Aguinaldo established the
Revolutionary Government replacing the Dictatorial
Government with himself as President and a Congress whose
function was advisory and ministerial.
➢ The decree making such change stated that the aims of the
new government were “to struggle for the independence of the
Philippines, until all nations including Spain will expressly
recognize it,” and “to prepare the country for the establishment
of a real Republic.”
Malolos Republic (First Philippine
Republic)
➢ On September 15, 1898, a revolutionary congress of Filipino
representatives met in Malolos, Bulacan at the call of the
Revolutionary Government. The Malolos Congress ratified on
September 29, 1898 the proclamation of Philippine independence
and framed the so-called Malolos Constitution.
➢ The Malolos Constitution was the first democratic constitution ever
promulgated in the whole of Asia. It established a “free and
independent Philippine Republic” which was inaugurated on
January 23, 1899 with Gen. Aguinaldo as President.
➢ The Republic existed from January 23, 1899 to March 23, 1901.
To advance the country’s interests overseas,
diplomatic representatives were appointed to
look for other country’s interest overseas.
Aside from attempting to secure international
recognition for its independence, the Hong
Kong junta solicited foreign aid.
THE END
BUT NOT
THE END
The Spanish-American War
The issuance of Teller Resolution on April 21, 1898 contains the declaration
of war of USA against Spain. The American war against Spain was formally
declared on April 25, 1898.
➢ Reasons why USA declare war against Spain:
1. The reported maltreatment of American citizens in Cuba;
2. The publication of the letter of Spanish ambassador to America Enrique
Dupuy de Lome criticizing the policies of president McKinley and referring
him as a weakling president; and,
3. The bombing and sinking of the American military naval warship “Maine”
on February 15, 1898 at Havana, Cuba.
After the declaration of war, American Consul-General E. Spencer
Pratt met with Emilio Aguinaldo in Singapore. In this meeting,
Pratt sought Aguinaldo's support against Spain. As Aguinaldo
expressed his eagerness to return to the Philippines, Pratt then
cabled Commodore George Dewey in Hong Kong and arranged
for Aguinaldo's return to the Philippines.

Commodore George Dewey, commander of American Asiatic

Squadron, and his men sailed from Hongkong to attack Manila.
On May 1, 1898 Dewey’s forces defeated the Spanish forces in
Manila under the leadership of Admiral Patricio Montojo. This was
the so called Battle of Manila Bay or the “Mock” Battle of Manila
Bay.
Treaty of Paris of 1898
➢ Five commissioners from each country were tasked to
discuss the settlement of the war.
From United States were William R. Day, senators
Cushman Davis, William P. Frye, George Gray, and a
diplomat, Whitelaw Reid.
From the Spanish delegation was composed of Eugenio
Montero Rios, Buenaventura Abarzuza, Jose de Garnica,
Wenceslao Ramirez de Villa Urrutia, and Rafael Cerero.
Treaty of Paris of 1898
The main provisions of the Treaty were as follows:
1. 1.Spain ceded the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico
to the United States
2. 2.The U.S. paid the sum of $20 million to Spain
3. 3.Spain withdrew from Cuba
4. The U.S. Congress would determine the civil and
political status of the inhabitants in the ceded
territories.
The US Senate ratified the Treaty on
February 6, 1899, two days after the infamous
San Juan Bridge incident. Spain following suit
on March 19, 1899.
Documents of ratification were exchanged at
Washington on April 11, 1899, thereby
entering the Treaty into force on the same
day.
McKinley's Benevolent Assimilation
Proclamation
On December 21, U.S. President McKinley issued his “Benevolent
Assimilation” proclamation, which states his administration’s intention
of the Philippines. This proclamation laid America’s claim over the
Philippines.
 It is said that the United States came “not as invaders or conquerors but
as friends and that the bare administration was to win the confidence,
respect, and affection of the inhabitants of the Philippines by assuring
them every possible way that the full measure of individual rights and
liberties is the heritage of free peoples, and that by proving to them that
the mission of the United States is one of benevolent assimilation . . .”
Basis of American
expansionism
➢ White Man’s Burden – the Westerners’ perspectives, like the
Americans, that they had a moral obligation to bring humanity,
especially the non-Westerners and non-whites, to the path of
civilization.
➢ Manifest Destiny – Americans believed that it is their duty to bring the
benefits of civilization to ignorant people abroad either through
conversion or conquest.
➢ McKinley’s Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation – the
Americans came to the Philippines not to conquer the Filipinos but to
develop, educate, civilized and train them in the science of self-
government.
The Philippine-
American War
(1899 – 1902)
Deterioration of Filipino-American relations
➢ Filipino troops were mandated to evacuate
in Manila’s capture
➢ signing of the Treaty of Paris without
consulting the Filipinos
➢ The U.S. President McKinley's “benevolent
assimilation declaration”
Reactions of the Filipinos
➢ Some members of the ➢ Mabini opposed their views,
Assembly, like Pedro which led him to resign from
Paterno, Ambrosio his post as the Cabinet and
Rianzares Bautista, and minister of foreign affairs.
Felipe Buencamino, Moreover, when Gen.
wanted to negotiate peace Antonio Luna heard the
with the Americans and “Peace Cabinet” plan, he
accept their offer of also opposed any attempt to
make peace with the
autonomy rather than
colonizers and strongly
independence.
advocated a fight for
independence.
By November 12, 1899, the regular army was dissolved, and
Aguinaldo formed guerilla units instead to carry on the war. To
elude the American forces, Aguinaldo and his forces proceeded
to the Cordillera mountain range. On December 2, 1899, Gen.
Gregorio del Pilar took charge of defending Tirad Pass against
American troops pursuing Aguinaldo.
In the encounter, known as the Battle of Tirad Pass, Del Pilar lost
his life. His sacrifice in Tirad Pass allowed Aguinaldo to get to
safety. On February 8, 1901, a group of six guerillas led by Cecilio
Segismundo, a messenger of President Aguinaldo, surrendered
to Lt. James Taylor Jr. at Nueva Ecija.
Brig. Gen. Frederick Funston employed 80 Macabebe
scouts, two former officers of Aguinaldo (Lazaro Segovia
and Hilario Tal Placido), three Tagalog natives, and four
other American officers for the capture of Aguinaldo.
On March 23, 1901, Funston and his men, who were
pretending to be the captives of the Macabebes, arrested
President Aguinaldo, leading to the First Philippine
Republic capitulation. Nine days after his capture,
Aguinaldo swore allegiance to the United States on April
19, 1901.
On July 4, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt declared that the
Philippine-American War was over.
However, local resistance continued, commonly led by politico-
religious groups called ladrones. Composed of the poor and
uneducated peasants, these groups continued to harass the
newly-organized Philippine scouts or Filipinos now serving in the
U.S. army. Among them were the samahans and confradias of
Ruperto Rios in Tayabas; Apo Ipe Salvador in Bulacan,
Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlaz, and Pangasinan and Papa Isio
of Negros. There were also the pulajanes in Cebu led by Tabal
brothers, Dios-Dios in Leyte led by Faustino Ablan, and Papa
Pablo in Samar.
American colonial objectives
1. to pursue a “manifest destiny” for America as a world
power;
2. to use the Philippine as a source of raw materials for
U.S. industries and as a market for U.S. manufactured
products;
3. to use the Philippines as a military and naval base;
and,
4. to have a refueling port for American ships servicing
their interests in China.
Anti-Nationalist Policies
➢ Sedition Law (1901) – made any advocacy for Philippine
independence a crime punishable by death or long
imprisonment, the law also punished long imprisonment
and a fine to any person who would “utter seditious words
or speeches, write, publish or circulate scurrilous/immoral
libels”.
➢ Brigandage Act (1902) – classified guerilla fighters as
brigands or ladrones and made membership in an armed
group punishable by death or long imprisonment.
Anti-Nationalist Policies
➢ Reconcentration Act (1903) – forced residents of
towns infested with the so-called brigands to live in
designated military zones. The purpose of this act
was to prevent people from giving aid and support to
rebels.
➢ Flag Law (1907) – prohibited the display of all flags,
banners, symbols and other paraphernalia to
suppress nationalistic feelings.
 Philippine
Commission
s
Schurman Commission (1899)
1. It suggested that a civil government supplant the military
administration after the American victory in the Mock
Battle.
2. It recommended creating a bicameral legislature, with the
lower house composed of the Filipino statesmen and the
upper house to American colonial administrators.
3. The commission endorsed the improvement of the
Philippines' general sanitary conditions and the founding of
a public school system to educate the Filipinos.
Taft Commission (1900)
➢ It proceeded to execute the recommendation provided
by the previous commission. On July 4, 1901, a Civil
Government was established, known as the Insular
Government, with Taft himself as the governor-general.
➢ While the Civil Government exercised jurisdiction over
the pacified provinces, the military rule remained in the
unpacified regions until 1902, and in the Moroland until
1914.
American Policies
➢ Spooner Bill (1901) – It provided for the establishment of civil
government which enabled the Americans to: public franchise,
buy public lands and have mining claims.
➢ Cooper Act (Philippine Organic Act of 1902) – Provided for
the creation of a Philippine Assembly of leaders, and
commissioners to USA. It also provided for Modernization of
roads, bridges and other infrastructures which served first and
foremost the American military operations and economic
activities such as the collection of Philippine products and the
distribution of American goods.
American Policies
➢ Jones Law or the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916
- provided a bicameral Philippine legislature with an
Upper House (Senate) with 24 members and a Lower
House (Representatives) with 93 members. It also
contains a preamble declaring that independence
would be granted to the Filipino people as soon as a
stable government could be established in the
Philippines.
Independence
Missions to
Self-
Government
Os-Rox Mission
➢ The 9th independence mission led by Osmeńa and Roxas in 1931 which
brought home the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act.

This Act provided for:

1. establishment of a ten-year transition period for the Philippines under a
Commonwealth Government;
2. after which absolute independence shall be proclaimed;
3. while the Act provided for Philippine Independence after the ten-year
transition period, this law however stated, among other things, that the
United States would reserve commercial, military and naval bases in the
Philippines.
Quezon Mission
➢ It is the 12th mission to secure a better independence act sent on 1933 led by Manuel
Quezon; it secured the Tydings-McDuffie Law.

It provided for:
1. 10-year transition period under the Commonwealth of the Philippines, preparatory to the
granting of absolute and complete independence;
2. an annual quota of 50 Filipino immigrants to America;
3. control of currency, coinage, foreign trade, and foreign relations by America;
4. representation of one Filipino resident commissioner in America and an American High
Commissioner in the Philippines; and,
5. authorized the Philippine Legislature to call a constitutional convention to draft the
Philippines' Constitution to be approved by the American President and ratified by the
people in a plebiscite.
As provided in the Tydings-McDuffie Law, the Philippine
legislature was authorized to call a constitutional
convention to draft the Constitution of the Philippines.
Thus, on May 5, 1934, the Filipino law-makers passed an
act setting the election of some 202 delegates to the
convention. This election was held on July 10, 1934 and
as soon as the officials of the Constitutional Convention
were elected, the delegates immediately commenced
drafting the constitution.
After six (6) months of drafting, the Philippine Constitution was then ready. With
the exception of a unicameral legislature and a unitary system of government, the
Philippine Constitution on the whole, followed the American model.
On February 8, 1935, the constitution was unanimously approved by the
convention; and after careful scrutiny, U.S. President Roosevelt also approved the
drafted constitution.
On May 14, 1935, a plebiscite for ratification or rejection was held for the
constitution and the qualified voters, including women, went to the polls to cast
their vote. The result of the plebiscite was an overwhelming one – the 1, 213, 046
votes favoring ratification won over the 44, 963 votes that were for the
constitution’s rejection.
With this, the inauguration of the Philippine Commonwealth soon followed on
November 15, 1935 with Manuel L. Quezon as President.
Commonwealth Government
1. Reorganization of the government by creating new offices
2. Granting of women suffrage
3. Creation of new chartered cities
4. Adoption of the national language based on Tagalog
5. Promotion of Social Justice
6. Compulsory military training of Filipino youths under the supervision of
Gen. Douglas MacArthur
7. Improvement of the Philippine economy
8. Creation of the JPCPA (Joint Preparatory Committee on Philippine Affairs)
Commonwealth Government
9. Passage of three amendments to the 1935 Constitution and
ratified by national plebiscite on June 18, 1940. These
amendments were:
 the tenure of the office of the President and Vice-President
was four years with reelection for another term;
 establishment of bicameral Congress of the Philippines; and,
 creation of an independent Commission on Elections to
supervise all elections