American

Period
(1898–1901)
The Treaty of Paris (1898)
•The Treaty of Paris was signed on December 10,
1898, officially ending the Spanish-American War.
•Spain agreed to cede its remaining colonies, including
the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico, to the United
States.
•The U.S. paid $20 million to Spain for the Philippines.
Filipino Reactions
•Many Filipinos, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, had already
declared independence on June 12, 1898 and saw the treaty
as a betrayal.
•The treaty sparked the Philippine-American War (1899–
1902), as Filipinos resisted U.S. colonization.
U.S. Motivations for Acquiring the Philippines
•Economic Interests: The Philippines provided access to
Asian markets.
•Strategic Military Importance: Establishing naval bases in
the Pacific.
•Civilizing Mission ("Benevolent Assimilation"): U.S.
claimed they would "educate and uplift" Filipinos.
Major Events of the War

A. Early Battles (1899–1900)

•Battle of Manila (February 1899): U.S. forces quickly took
control of Manila.
•Shift to Guerrilla Warfare (Late 1899): After heavy defeats,
Filipinos resorted to guerrilla tactics.
B. Capture of Emilio Aguinaldo (March 23, 1901)

•Aguinaldo was captured in Palanan, Isabela by

U.S. forces led by Frederick Funston.
•He later swore allegiance to the U.S., marking
the collapse of organized resistance.
C. The Resistance Continues (1901–1902)
Key Filipino Resistance Leaders (1901–1902)

A. General Miguel Malvar (Batangas)

•Took command of the Philippine forces after Aguinaldo’s capture.
•Operated in Batangas, Laguna, and Tayabas (now Quezon
Province).
•Used hit-and-run tactics, striking American supply lines and
garrisons.
•Surrendered on April 16, 1902, due to dwindling resources and
increased pressure from U.S. forces.
B. General Vicente Lukbán (Samar)
•Led guerrilla resistance in Samar, a province in the Visayas.
•Orchestrated the Balangiga Massacre (September 28, 1901),
where Filipino fighters ambushed and killed around 48 American
soldiers.
•In response, General Jacob Smith ordered the "kill and burn"
policy in Samar, leading to the destruction of villages and civilian
deaths.
•Lukbán was captured in February 1902, but resistance in Samar
persisted.
C. General Simeón Ola (Bicol)
•Led guerrilla warfare in the Bicol region, especially in
Albay.
•His forces launched surprise attacks on American
patrols and military outposts.
•Surrendered in September 1903, marking the end of
major resistance in Bicol.
The U.S. Declares the War Over (July 4, 1902)

•On July 4, 1902, U.S. President Theodore

Roosevelt declared the war officially over.
•Most Filipino generals had either surrendered
or been captured, and the American colonial
government was fully established.
Continued Resistance (1902–1913)
A. Macario Sakay and the Tagalog Republic (1902–1906)
•Sakay and his followers declared the establishment of the
"Tagalog Republic", continuing the fight for independence.
•Used guerrilla tactics in Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, and
Cavite.
•The U.S. tricked Sakay into surrendering by offering him a
false promise of amnesty.
•He was arrested in 1906, tried for "banditry," and executed
in 1907.
B. The Moro Resistance in Mindanao (1902–1913)
•Muslim groups in Mindanao, known as the Moro people, refused to
recognize American rule.
•Fought using traditional weapons and fortified settlements called
"cotta".
•Major conflicts:
• Battle of Bayan (1902) – First major battle between the Moros and
the U.S.
• Battle of Bud Dajo (1906) – U.S. troops killed over 600 Moro men,
women, and children.
• Battle of Bud Bagsak (1913) – Marked the final large-scale Moro
resistance.
•By 1913, the last major armed resistance against American rule was
crushed.
Key Strategies and Tactics

Filipino Forces
-Guerrilla Warfare: Hit-and-run attacks,
ambushes.
-Support from Local Communities: Civilians
provided food and intelligence.
American Forces
-Superior Firepower: More advanced weapons and
military technology.
-Burning of Villages ("Scorched Earth" Policy):
Destroyed towns that supported rebels.
-Reconcentration Camps: Civilians placed in camps to
cut off support for guerrillas.
-Water Cure Torture: Used on Filipino prisoners to
extract information.
Consequences of the War

Casualties and Destruction

•Filipino casualties: 200,000–250,000 (including
civilians due to war, disease, and famine).
•American casualties: 4,200+ soldiers killed.
•Widespread destruction of villages and farmlands.
Impact on the Philippines

•Loss of Independence: The Philippines became a U.S.

colony until 1946.
•Economic Disruption: War destroyed agriculture and
trade.
•American Colonial Rule: The U.S. established a new
government, education system, and military control.
Impact on the U.S.

•Rise of Anti-Imperialism: Some Americans

opposed U.S. colonization.
•Expansion of U.S. Influence in Asia: Strengthened
U.S. presence in the Pacific.
Political and Governmental Changes
Establishment of American Civil Government
(1901)

•U.S. introduced civil governance under the

Philippine Commission
•First civil governor: William Howard Taft
Philippine Organic Act of 1902
•Introduced a bicameral legislature
11️⃣ Philippine Commission (Upper
House) – Comprised of Americans and appointed
officials.
2️⃣ Philippine Assembly (Lower
House) – Composed of elected Filipino
representatives, allowing limited self-rule.
•Established the Philippine Assembly
(1907)
•First time Filipinos were allowed to elect their own
legislators.
•Held its first elections in 1907, with the Nacionalista
Party, led by Sergio Osmeña and Manuel Quezon,
winning the majority.
•Established the Philippine Assembly
(1907)
•First time Filipinos were allowed to elect their own
legislators.
•Held its first elections in 1907, with the Nacionalista
Party, led by Sergio Osmeña and Manuel Quezon,
winning the majority.
Jones Law of 1916

•The law declared that the U.S. would grant

independence once a stable government was
established.
•This commitment set the stage for the Tydings-
McDuffie Act of 1934,
Creation of the Philippine Legislature
•Senate (Upper House) – 24 members elected
by Filipinos.
•House of Representatives (Lower House) –
Elected Filipino representatives.
•First Senate President – Manuel L. Quezon
Tydings-McDuffie Act (1934)

•Set a 10-year transition period for

independence
•Creation of the Commonwealth of the
Philippines (1935)
Socioeconomic Changes
Education System
•Establishment of the public school system
•Use of English as the medium of
instruction
•Thomasites: American teachers who
trained Filipino educators
Economic Policies Under American Rule
•Development of cash-crop economy
(sugar, coconut, abaca)
•Free trade agreement between the U.S.
and the Philippines
•Introduction of American businesses and
corporations
Infrastructure and Public Health
•Road, bridge, and railway construction
•Improvement of public sanitation and
healthcare
•Establishment of hospitals and modern
medical facilities
The Commonwealth Period (1935–1946)
The Commonwealth Government

Tydings-McDuffie Act (1934)- Allowed the

Philippines to have a 10-year transition
period before full independence.
Manuel L. Quezon as the First President
•Election of 1935: Defeated Emilio Aguinaldo and
Gregorio Aglipay
•Inauguration: November 15, 1935, at the
Legislative Building (now National Museum)
•Vice President: Sergio Osmeña
World War II and the Japanese
Occupation (1941–1945)
•Japanese invasion of the Philippines
•Filipino and American resistance efforts
•Liberation of the Philippines by U.S.
forces in 1945
Fall of Bataan and Corregidor
•Bataan Defense (Jan-April 1942): Last stand of
Filipino-American forces
•April 9, 1942: Fall of Bataan – Start of the Bataan
Death March
•May 6, 1942: Fall of Corregidor – General Jonathan
Wainwright surrenders
The Bataan Death March

•Background: Forced march of 76,000 Filipino and

American soldiers
•Route: From Bataan to Capas, Tarlac (~100 km)
Filipino and American Resistance Efforts
•Hukbalahap (Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon) –
Peasant guerilla movement
•USAFFE remnants & Filipino guerrillas –
Harassment of Japanese forces
•Role of indigenous groups in resistance
The Battle for the Liberation of the Philippines
(1944–1945)
•October 20, 1944: General Douglas MacArthur
lands in Leyte (Leyte Gulf Landing)
•Battle of Manila (Feb-March 1945) – Urban
warfare and devastation
•Role of Filipino guerrillas in assisting Allied forces
The Destruction of Manila
•One of the most devastated cities of WWII
•Atrocities committed by Japanese forces (Manila
Massacre)
•March 3, 1945: Manila fully liberated
•September 2, 1945: Japan formally surrenders
after atomic bombings
•Post-war impacts on the Philippines:
•Economic devastation
•Loss of hundreds of thousands of lives
•U.S. rehabilitation programs
The Japanese Occupation (1942–1945)
•Establishment of the Second Philippine Republic
under José P. Laurel
•Japanese policies:
• Military rule and propaganda
• Use of "Mickey Mouse money" (inflation)
• Forced labor (Kempeitai & comfort women)
• Suppression of resistance
The Road to Independence
The Independence of the Philippines
(July 4, 1946)
•Treaty of Manila (1946)
•Transfer of sovereignty from the U.S. to
the Philippines
•Challenges faced by the new Republic
Lasting American Influences
•Politics: Democratic system, constitutional
government
•Education: Public school system, use of English
•Economy: American-style business practices
and consumer culture
•Culture: American holidays (Thanksgiving,
Halloween), pop culture influence
•How did American colonization differ from
Spanish colonization?
•What were the advantages and disadvantages
of American rule?
•What aspects of American influence still exist
in the Philippines today?