Filipino-American War and Treaty of Paris

• The Filipino-American War occurred due to General Emilio Aguinaldo's suspicion supported by the increasing number of American troops even after the Spaniards surrendered.
• The Americans had intentions of annexing the Philippines for several reasons.
• The country was a potential market for surplus American products.
• The country's strategic location was good for a naval base and a center of commerce near China.
• The Americans could obtain raw materials from the country's rich natural resources.

The Treaty of Paris

• The Treaty of Paris signed December 10, 1898.
• Under the treaty, the Spanish government ceded the Philippines, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Cuba to the U.S. Government.
• The U.S. paid 20,000.00 dollars to the Spanish government for permanent structures built by the Spaniards in the four countries.
• The Spanish would maintain free trade in the four countries for ten years after the treaty.
• Friars and religious orders would remain in the country, and their properties would stay with them.

The Filipino-American War

• The Administration of William McKinley initially had no reason to colonize the Philippines.
• The U.S. Congress questioned the presence of U.S. troops due to the U.S. Constitution prohibiting colonization.
• The American business community saw expansion as beneficial.
• Filipino troops under Aguinaldo continued to function as the military force of the government alongside American troops.
• On February 4, 1899, Filipino troops under Luciano San Pedro had conflict with American troops.
• General Elwel Otis declared war against the Filipinos, when he received the news of the conflict.
• Aguinaldo sent a letter to Otis stating the firing was against his orders and hoped for a diplomatic resolution.

The Battle Between Filipinos and Americans

• The forces faced the Americans led by General Arthur McArthur, who used military science and advanced weaponry to defeat Bugallan's forces and advance to Antonio Luna's location.
• In the southern Philippines, General Lawton led the Americans against Filipinos along the Manila to Dagupan railway.
• The Americans succeeded and approached the Malolos government in San Miguel de Mayuno in 1899.
• Aguinaldo's headquarters was again under attack, so he needed to transfer again to avoid being captured.
• Generals Antonio Luna and Gregorio del Pilar facilitated his escape by guarding passages to prevent American troops from capturing him.

The Assassination of General Antonio Luna

• General Luna was renowned for his military science knowledge due to his training in Madrid.
• Other Filipinos disliked him, viewing him as a leadership threat.
• On June 1, 1899, Luna was in Bayambang, Pangasinan, when he received a telegram from Aguinaldo ordering him to Kabanatuan.
• He left his troops under Colonel Roman.
• On June 5, 1899, Luna arrived at the location and went upstairs to see Aguinaldo but found Felipe Buencamino instead.
• Other members of the disarmed Kawit company subsequently stabbed and shot Luna, resulting in his death from over 40 stab wounds and gunshots.

The Death of Gregorio del Pilar

• Gregorio del Pilar, a young soldier and general, was a loyal ally of General Aguinaldo.
• Del Pilar was with Aguinaldo from the beginning of the revolution against the Spaniards.
• He guarded Aguinaldo's passage during his escape from the Americans but died on December 2, 1899, during battle due to the disloyalty of other Filipinos.

The American First Commission

• President William McKinley appointed Jacob Schurman as the first American commissioner in the Philippines.
• On March 4, 1899, Schurman arrived in the Philippines, a month after the start of the war between Filipinos and Americans.
• Within a month, Schurman and five other commissioners studied the necessary reforms in the Philippines and provided recommendations.

10 Recommendations of the Schurman Commission

• The Philippines was not yet ready for self-government and required American presence and guidance.
• Public schools should be established nationwide to educate those who cannot afford tuition.
• The American Civil government should replace the military government.
• Filipinos should be appointed to their local governments.
• The number of primary schools must be increased.
• Schools must provide good agricultural and manual training, with English as the medium of instruction.
• The U.S. should not withdraw from the Philippines pending congressional action.
• The selection of government officials should be done with care for those with highest character to be selected.
• Complete separation of Church and State. Priests were prohibited from holding any civil office.
• The government must prioritize public sanitation, water supply, drainage, waste disposal, quarantine, and research on tropical diseases.

The Report of Commission

• Over 35,000 residents of Panay had sworn allegiance to the newly established government.
• Filipinos are incompetent to govern themselves.
• Establishment of a civilian government run by American bureaucrats was recommended.
• The Philippines has vast reserves of minerals like copper, coal, gold, iron, sulfur, marble, granite, and petroleum.
• The forest reserves of the Philippines contain different species of trees.
• The commissioners emphasized the potential of the Philippines as a market for American surplus goods.
• The commission proposed a mandatory, non-sectarian, centralized educational system with a set curriculum for each year.

Apolinario Mabini

• Apolinario Mabini was known as the "Brain of the Philippine Revolution".
• During Emilio Aguinaldo's exile in Hong Kong, Mabini encouraged Filipino revolutionaries to continue fighting for their country's independence through various newsletters.
• Mabini noticed that the Malolos Constitution gave more power to the legislative than the other two branches, especially regarding the budget.
• Aguinaldo, pressured by Buencamino, excluded Mabini from the new Cabinet. Mabini then wrote a letter of resignation to Aguinaldo.

The End of the Filipino-American War

• The Filipino-American War ended with Emilio Aguinaldo's capture in Palawan, Isabela, on March 23, 1899.
• A revolutionist from Macabebe, Pampanga assisted with the capture.
• After his capture, William Howard Taft convinced Emilio Aguinaldo, who was then taken to Malacañang palace to cooperate with the American government.
• Aguinaldo was promised the Hacienda de Imus in return.
• On April 1, 1901, Emilio Aguinaldo pledged alliance with the Americans.