Philippine Revolution's First Phase

First Phase of the Philippine Revolution

• The Spanish found out about the Katipunan due to Teodoro Patino, who worked at the Diario de Manila
• Patino revealed the secrets to his sister, who was a nun, after a dispute with a fellow member
• She told Sor Teresa de Jesus, who advised Patino to tell Fr. Mariano Gil
• Fr. Gil then informed the Guardia Civil, which led to them uncovering documents that confirmed the existence of the Katipunan
• Father Mariano Gil was the parish curate of Tondo, Manila
• He played a significant role in the discovery of the Katipunan
• He promptly informed the authorities after Teodoro Patino revealed the society's existence
• The Katipuneros, led by Andrés Bonifacio, initiated a call for armed rebellion upon discovery of the Katipunan by Spanish authorities
• They tore their cedulas (residence certificates) during the "Cry of Balintawak" on August 23, marking the official start of the Philippine Revolution
• Tandang Sora, or Melchora Aquino, played a crucial role in the Philippine Revolution as she supported the Katipunan
• She provided refuge and assistance to wounded revolutionaries and her home served as a meeting place for Katipuneros
• The primary goal of the 1896 Philippine Revolution, led by the Katipunan under Andrés Bonifacio, was to achieve independence from Spanish colonial rule
• They tore their cedulas to signify their rejection of Spanish oppression
• August 30, 1898, was the date of the Battle of Pinaglabanan which was the first significant engagement of the Philippine Revolution
• Andrés Bonifacio and his Katipuneros aimed to seize the El Polvorin, a Spanish powder magazine
• The eight rays of the sun on the Philippine flag symbolize the first eight provinces that revolted against Spanish colonial rule during the Philippine Revolution - Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, and Tarlac
• Emilio Aguinaldo led the Filipino forces to several significant victories in Cavite during the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule
• The Magdalo, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, favored a more centralized approach to governance
• The Magdiwang, led by Mariano Alvarez, emphasized local governance and grassroots participation

Disagreement at Tejeros Convention

• March 22, 1897, the date of the Tejeros Convention which was a pivotal event in the Philippine Revolution
• Andrés Bonifacio and his followers sought to resolve disputes between the Magdalo and Magdiwang factions
• Daniel Tirona contested Bonifacio's election as Secretary of the Interior, which led to Bonifacio declaring the proceedings null and void and leaving with his supporters
• The elections resulted in Emilio Aguinaldo being elected as president, with other key positions filled primarily by members of the Magdalo faction
• The Acta de Tejeros and the Naik Military agreement were two key documents signed by Andrés Bonifacio and his supporters to reject the results of the Tejeros Convention elections
• Andrés Bonifacio, the founder of the Katipunan, was executed on May 10, 1897, by fellow revolutionaries loyal to Emilio Aguinaldo after a military trial
• Emilio Aguinaldo established his headquarters in Biak-na-Bato, Bulacan and proclaimed the Biak-na-Bato Republic in July 1897
• Pedro Paterno played a crucial role as a mediator between Aguinaldo and Spanish Governor-General Primo de Rivera
• The Pact of Biak-na-Bato, signed on December 15, 1897, temporarily ended hostilities
• Aguinaldo and other leaders agreed to go into exile in Hong Kong in exchange for financial compensation and promises of reforms from Spain

Second Phase of the Revolution

• Emilio Aguinaldo, organized a revolutionary government known as the Hong Kong Junta during his exile in Hong Kong
• They met with Spencer Pratt, an American consul, to discuss support for their cause and facilitated the smuggling of supplies
• The Battle of Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, was a pivotal naval engagement during the Spanish-American War
• The U.S. Asiatic Squadron, commanded by Commodore George Dewey, defeated the Spanish fleet led by Rear Admiral Patricio Montojo
• May 28, 1898, The Battle of Alapan took place with was the first major victory for Filipino revolutionaries led by Emilio Aguinaldo after his return from exile
• June 12, 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo declared Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite, ending over 300 years of Spanish colonial rule
• The Malolos Congress convened on September 15, 1898, in as the legislative body of the Philippine Revolutionary Government
• The Treaty of Paris which ceded the Philippines from Spain to the United States for $20 million occurred on December 10, 1898

The Philippine-American War and Occupation

• Benevolent Assimilation was a policy announced by U.S. President William McKinley on December 21, 1898, to govern the Philippines for the benefit of its people
• Military, economic, civilization and manifest destiny were the motivations of the Americans
• The war began on February 4, 1899 which was characterized by brutal fighting
• Battle of Tirad Pass took place on December 2, 1899 and is often called the "Philippine Thermopylae"
• The Battle of San Mateo occured on December 19, 1899 and General Licerio Geronimo and his forces defeated General Henry Ware Lawton
• On March 23, 1901, General Emilio Aguinaldo was captured by American forces led by Colonel Frederick Funston, which marked the decline of the First Philippine Republic
• During the Philippine-American War American forces committed severe atrocities against the Filipino population, including the notorious "water cure" torture method
• Felipe Salvador led a revolt in 1902, Makario Sakay was a prominent guerrilla leader and Miguel Malvar became a key leader of resistance in Batangas after Aguinaldo's surrender
• The Flag Law (1907) prohibited displaying the Philippine flag and the Brigandage Law (1902) gave severe penalties against individuals labelled as brigands, in order to suppress Filipino nationalism
• The Schurman Commission (1899) recommended a civilian government and the Taft Commission (1900) implemented the recommendations

The Commonwealth Period

• Established on November 15, 1935, as a transitional government aimed at preparing for independence from the United States, which was set to occur on July 4, 1946
• The National Defense Act of 1935 (Commonwealth Act No. 1) established a regular armed force for the Philippines
• Commonwealth Act No. 184 established the National Language Institute in the Philippines
• The Education Decree of 1940 (Commonwealth Act No. 586) made primary education compulsory for all children
• The National Economic Council (NEC) was established as an advisory body on economic and financial affairs
• The Anti-Dummy Law of 1939 aimed to limit foreign control over businesses and the National Trading Corporation assisted small businesses and industries
• Labor Laws enacted set a minimum wage and set an eight hour working day to ensure workers were protected
• The Court of Industrial Relations was established in the Philippines under Commonwealth Act No. 103 on October 29, 1936 to mediate for labourers and employers
• The Sakdalista Uprising was movement seeking private land expropriation and redistribution of land during the 1930s
• American colonial period improved public education and sanitation
• American movies, television, theater like bodabil, new genres of music, and fashion trends greatly influenced Filipino culture

Japanese invasion and occupation

• Japan invaded surrounding territories for resources needed to bolster industry and economy
• Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere was a concept created by Japan that claimed to unite Asian countries and free them from Western colonial rule
• Japan invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1941 and Manila was declared as an open city on January 2, 1942
• Battle of Bataan took place January 7 – April 9, 1942 and the defenders surrendered on April 9 and led to the Bataan Death March
• The Second Republic of the Philippines was established during the Japanese occupation, with José P. Laurel as its president.
• Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa mga Hapon (HUKBALAHAP) guerilla group led by Luis Taruc fought against the Japanese occupation
• The National Food Production Campaign Office encouraged people to grow their own vegetables, with economic struggles during Japanese rule
• KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas) was the only political party allowed during occupation
• Kempeitai, the Japanese military and Makapili identified suspected guerillas, and Japanese atrocities towards comfort women went unaddressed

Liberation of the Philippines

• Led by General Douglas MacArthur, American forces landed on Leyte Island in the Philippines on October 20, 1944 to liberate the Philippines
• Battle of Leyte Gulf took place from October 23 to 26, which became the largest naval battle in history
• The liberation of Manila took place from February 3 to March 3, 1945 when American forces, commited acts against civilians and caused destruction
• Japanese general Tomoyuki Yamashita was held responsible for these crimes known collectively as the Manila Massacre
• Huks fought against Japanese occupation, showing that those who resisted often came from less privileged backgrounds, while some wealthy people chose to collaborate with the enemy
• Atomic bombs were used for the first time. Hiroshima and Nagasaki were bombed and on August 15, 1945, Japan finally surrendered
• Osmeña faced a country that was severely damaged and lacking resources for recovery after World War II
• The United States officially granted independence to the Philippines on July 4, 1946

Rehabilitation Period

• After the war, the Philippines faced poverty, a lack of resources for recovery and essential services, such as railways and shipping, were out of operation
• The Philippine Civil Affairs Unit actively provided emergency assistance and international assistance played a role in disaster relief efforts
• Tacloban in Leyte served as the seat of the Commonwealth Government during Sergio Osmena's presidency after the death of President Manuel Quezon in 1944
• Senator Millard Tydings conducted a survey, recommending $100 million for rehabilitation and reconstruction and the American Congress approved funding and loan
• Manuel Roxas served as the first president of the Third Philippine Republic from 1946 to 1948 but faced problems with corruption and rebellion from Hukbalahaps
• Proponents and critics debated that the Bell Trade Act parity rights amendment in the Philippines would help or hinder economy
• The Military Bases Agreement of 1947 allowed the US to maintain bases until 1991 but lead to a loss of sovereignty
• Manuel Roxas declared a general amnesty for some guerrillas in the Bell Trade Act
• Elpidio Quirino replaced President Manuel Roxas who focused on restoring the people's faith in government
• A mission led by Daniel Bell was sent to the Philippines in 1950 to evaluate conditions, and recommended improvement
• Luis Taruc met with President Quirino in 1948, to grant amnesty to some guerrillas, but the government failed to meet these agreements
• NARRA to help integrate former rebels

Rise of the Philippine Economy

• Ramon Magsaysay, as Secretary of National Defense fought the Hukbalahap guerrillas and won the 1953 presidency
• NARRA was established to manage land resettlement, distribute agricultural lands and The Land Tenure Reform and Agricultural Tenancy Act supported these efforts
• During his presidency from 1953 to 1957, Ramon Magsaysay promoted laws that protected poorest Filipinos, provided basic education and health care
• Economic Reforms under Magsaysay increased national production, Implemented price controls and established the Presidential Assistant on Community Development (PACD)
• The Magna Carta of Labor was established, the Social Security System (SSS) was created and the Blue Sunday Law was implemented
• Magsaysay strongly supported this organization and worked closely with the United States to ally Southeast Asian countries against communism
• Carlos P Garcia succeeded after Magsaysay's death, promoting prioritizin Filipino businesses over foreign investments
• Austerity program focused on reduce government spending and combat corruption, and the Retail Trade Nationalization Law tried to ensure that Filipinos had complete control
• Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation with Japan improved economic relations and the Scientific and Infrastructural Projects helped scientific research
• Diosdado Macapagal won the election, focused on improving economy ,moved Philippine independence from July 4 to June 12