**II.

Introductory Activity: Audio-Visual Presentation**

*English:*
The introductory activity involves an audio-visual presentation on the Spanish-American War in the
Philippines. It highlights the arrival of American troops after defeating the Spanish fleet at Manila
Bay. The teacher may also conduct a silent reading on President McKinley's "Benevolent
Assimilation Proclamation." This proclamation, issued in 1898, outlines the transfer of Philippine
sovereignty to the United States. It emphasizes the U.S.'s intention to act as friends, protecting the
inhabitants' rights and property. The military commander is instructed to maintain order and
administer justice. The proclamation expresses a commitment to earning the trust and respect of
the Filipino people through just governance.

*Bisaya:*
Ang introduktoryong aktibidad naglakip og usa ka audio-visual nga presentasyon mahitungod sa
Spanish-American War sa Pilipinas. Gitukod kini sa pag-abot sa mga Amerikanong tropa human
madato ang Spanish fleet sa Manila Bay. Ang magtutudlo mahimo usab nga maglunsad og hulga
nga pagsusi sa "Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation" ni President McKinley. Kini nga
proklamasyon, nga gipalabot sa 1898, naglaraw sa pag-transfer sa soberanya sa Pilipinas ngadto sa
Estados Unidos. Gituki kini sa intensyon sa U.S. nga mag-amping isip mga higala, nag-protehir sa
mga katungod ug kahimtang sa mga puyo. Gihatagan og tagubilin ang militar nga magsiguro sa
kahusayan ug magmando og katarungan. Ang proklamasyon nagpahayag sa usa ka komitment sa
pag-angkon sa kahilwasan ug pagrespeto sa katawhang Pilipino pinaagi sa makatarunganong
panggobyerno.

**III. Lesson Proper**

*English:*
Explored the American colonial period in the Philippines, spanning 1898 to 1946, including the
Commonwealth era (1935-1946). Understanding why and how America became involved in the
Philippines was crucial to tracing historical developments.

*Bisaya:*
Gisusi ang American colonial period dinhi sa Pilipinas, gikan sa 1898 ngadto sa 1946, lakip ang
Commonwealth era (1935-1946). Importante nga masabtan nganong ug unsaon nahimong bahin
ang Amerika sa Pilipinas alang sa pagtan-aw sa mga kinaiya sa kasaysayan.

**1. What were the events that brought the Americans to the Philippines?**
*English:*
The Americans came to the Philippines due to a shift in their isolationist policy after the Civil War.
With a surplus of products and capital, the U.S. sought new markets, leading to imperialist
ambitions. Identifying Spain as the weakest colonizer, the U.S. deliberately strained relations
through incidents like the De Lome letter and rumors of maltreatment in Cuba. The explosion of the
USS Maine in 1898 provided a pretext for war, leading to the U.S. Congress declaring war against
Spain on April 21, 1898. As the Philippines was a Spanish colony, the Americans entered the scene
to supposedly defeat Spanish forces in the colony.

*Bisaya:*
Ang mga Amerikano miadto sa Pilipinas tungod sa pagbag-o sa ilang isolationist policy human sa
Civil War. Sa sobra sa ilang produkto ug kapital, gikinahanglan sa U.S. ang bag-ong merkado,
mihimo kini og imperialistang plano. Sa pagsaysay sa Espanya isip ang labing kahina nga
colonisador, ang U.S. maoy naglantaw nga kinahanglan nga paundangon ang ilang relasyon pinaagi
sa mga insidente sama sa De Lome letter ug ang paglapas sa balita nga gipangmaltrato sa Cuba. Ang
pagsabog sa USS Maine sa 1898 mao ang naghatag og rason alang sa gubat, nga miresulta sa
deklarasyon sa U.S. Congress og gubat batok sa Espanya niadtong Abril 21, 1898. Sa Pilipinas nga
kolonya sa Espanya, mitambong ang mga Amerikano aron dawaton ang mga pwersa sa Espanya sa
kolonya.

**2. What was the Treaty of Paris and what was its role in the incorporation of Mindanao and Sulu
into the former colony of Spain?**
*English:*
The Treaty of Paris marked the end of the Spanish-American War, transferring the Philippine colony
to the United States for $20 million. The Christian revolutionaries, especially Emilio Aguinaldo, felt
betrayed as the Americans went back on their promise not to colonize the country. The Moros also
opposed the treaty, as it included their territories despite the Spaniards failing to subjugate them.
The imperialistic interests prevailed, and the Americans replaced the Spaniards in the Philippines,
defining "Felipinas" now to include the Spanish-controlled areas of Luzon, Visayas, and the
unconquered lands of Mindanao and Sulu Sultanates.

*Bisaya:*
Ang Treaty of Paris usa ka kasulbaran nga nagtapos sa Spanish-American war ug gihatag ang
kolonyang Pilipino ngadto sa Estados Unidos alang sa $20 milyon. Nahimong biktima ang mga
Kristiyanong rebolusyonaryo, ilabi na si Emilio Aguinaldo, nga gidaya sa mga Amerikano nga wala'y
plano nga kolonyahon ang nasud. Gikondena usab sa mga Moro ang kasulbaran tungod kay
gipasakop sila sa treaty bisan wala'y tagumpay ang mga Katsila sa ilang lugar. Gibaligya sa Espanya
ang tibuok Mindanao ug Sulu nga wala'y kalahian sa mga Moro, ug wala'y pangutana sa katarungan
o katarungan! Ang mga Amerikano miabot aron mopasaka sa Katsila sa Felipinas. Mao kini ang
gisugilon sa Treaty of Paris nga gipalabot ang tanang Katsilang teritoryo sa Luzon, Visayas, ug tibuok
Mindanao ug Sulu, bisan wala pa matagbaw ang Moro ug Sulu sultanates.

**3. What were the various stages of the American occupation in Moroland and how distinct the
American policies were in each of the stages?**
*English:*
In the American occupation of Moroland, three distinct stages emerged: Military Occupation (1899-
1903), Moro Province (1903-1913), and the Department of Mindanao and Sulu (1914-1920).

*Military Occupation and Non-interference Policy (1899-1903):*

- The Filipino-American War began after the San Juan Bridge incident, leading to distorted reports
and Senate approval of the Treaty of

Paris.
- The original plan for Emilio Aguinaldo's Filipino Republic would have coexisted peacefully with
Muslim states (Sulu Sultanate, Maguindanao Sultanate, and Republika ng Pilipinas).
- The Americans focused on pacifying Luzon and Visayas, avoiding conflict with Muslims.
- Brigadier General John C. Bates pursued a Non-interference Policy, respecting native autonomy in
affairs, religion, and economy.
- The Bates agreement symbolized American policy for the first five years, emphasizing non-
interference.

By 1903, the American policy shifted from "non-interference" to "direct rule," abandoning the
former as the war in the north subsided. During the Moro Province era, a tribal ward system was
established, with districts like Davao, Cotabato, Lanao, Zamboanga, and Sulu. American district
governors oversaw each district, reporting to the governor of the Moro Province. Policies such as
taxation, anti-slavery laws, and disarmament led to violent clashes in Mindanao and Sulu, notably
in Bacolod Grande, Cotabato, Taraka, Bud Dajo, and Bud Bagsak. American military force
suppressed Moro resistance, consolidating Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao into a centralized
Philippine colony. The term "Moro Problem" emerged, reflecting the US view of the Moros as akin
to American Indians, to be dealt with through force. This period aimed at administering the Moros
for eventual integration with the Christian government, requiring cultural and civilizational
advancement.

*The Department of Mindanao and Sulu and Filipinization:*

The United States sought to present a positive image during its acquisition of the Philippines as a
colony. President McKinley's Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation emphasized America's intent to
develop, civilize, educate, and train Filipinos in self-government. McKinley justified keeping the
Philippines, arguing that returning them to Spain or leaving them to other countries was
unacceptable, and granting them freedom was unthinkable. The Benevolent Assimilation
Proclamation hinted at a future where Filipinos would exercise self-government and achieve
independence. This vision began to materialize in 1913 when the Democrats came to power. Their
policy of Filipinization aimed to hasten self-government, leading to the transfer of control from
Americans to Filipinos. As part of this initiative, the Moro Province, advocating "direct rule," was
abolished, and in 1913, reorganized into the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. The administrative
structure included turning former districts into regular provinces and adding new provinces like
Agusan and Bukidnon. The Filipinization of colonial administration in Mindanao and Sulu, led by the
Department of Mindanao and Sulu, aimed to empower Filipino officials in governing Moroland.
However, the term "Filipino" seemed limited to "Christian Filipinos," causing resentment among
the Moro population. Sultan Alauya Alonto expressed concern about outsiders governing Moroland.
Despite Moro discontent, the Filipinization program continued for seven years until its formal
abolition in May 1920. Subsequently, Moro affairs were placed under the Bureau of Non-Christian
Tribes, consolidating control in Christian Filipino hands within the Department of the Interior.

*Policy of Attraction:*
To address the negative impact of colonialism on the Moro population, the colonial government
implemented a "Policy of Attraction." This included initiatives like free education with compulsory
attendance, the Pensionado Program sending non-Christian natives for higher learning, and the
establishment of hospitals and dispensaries for widespread medical care. Infrastructure
development, such as new roads, aimed to end isolation and connect communities. The
government also fostered Muslim participation in local and provincial government, even appointing
some to the Philippine legislature. Leaders were periodically invited to Manila to promote peace,
cooperation, and agricultural activities were encouraged through experimental "agricultural
colonies."

*How did American policy or practice contribute to the present Mindanao problem?*
The United States significantly impacted the Mindanao issue through four key actions: a) forcibly
integrating Mindanao and Sulu into the Philippine colony; b) relocating Christian natives to
Mindanao; c) implementing discriminatory land laws; and d) attempting to annex Mindanao, Sulu,
and Palawan into US territory.

**Forcible Incorporation:**
The United States forcibly included Maguindanao and Sulu in the Philippine colony during the
Treaty of Paris in 1898, subjugating the Moros and incorporating them into the predominantly
Christian Philippines.

**Resettlement of Christian Natives:**

In 1912, the Americans introduced a plan to resettle landless farmers from Luzon and Visayas to
Mindanao, intending to address agrarian unrest. This policy, though well-intentioned, fueled
resentment among Muslims and Lumads, leading to frequent and bloody encounters.

**Discriminatory Land Laws:**

Several discriminatory land laws were enacted, including the Land Registration Act of 1902, Act
#718 of 1903, Act #926 of 1903 (Public Land Act), Mining Law of 1905, and Cadastral Act of 1907.
These laws marginalized and alienated Moros and Lumads, turning many into squatters on their
own lands.

**Attempt to Annex Mindanao into US Territory:**

While making Mindanao part of the Philippines under the Treaty of Paris, certain practices
indicated a desire to make it a permanent territory of the United States. Efforts to annex Mindanao
intensified through the 1920s, with proposals to detach it from the Philippines. These attempts
were eventually defeated by counter protests among Filipino nationalists and broader US policies
aimed at granting independence to the Philippines.