The Philippine Revolution (1896-1902)

The Philippine Revolution (1896-1902)

• The Philippine Revolution began in 1896, sparked by resistance against Spanish rule, culminating in the Cry of Pugad Lawin.
• A temporary truce, the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, followed, but promises of reform were ultimately broken.
• Filipino revolutionary leaders regrouped in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Junta) during the exile period, strategically aligning with the Spanish-American War.
• The US emerged as a new colonial power, overriding Filipino aspirations for independence.
• Continued resistance led to the second phase of the revolution (1898-1902), characterized by Aguinaldo's return, early victories against Spain, and the declaration of independence on June 12, 1898.
• The establishment of a revolutionary government followed, but the Treaty of Paris (1898) ceded the Philippines to the United States, contradicting the declaration of independence.
• The Treaty of Paris formally transferred sovereignty from Spain to the US, disregarding Filipino aspirations. This set the stage for the Philippine-American War.
• The Malolos Congress drafted the Malolos Constitution, establishing the First Republic, but faced challenges due to the looming American threat.

American Imperialism and the Philippine-American War

• American imperialism was driven by economic, geopolitical, and ideological factors. This included economic opportunity, strategic location, and perceived racial superiority.
• The Spanish-American War and the annexation of the Philippines fueled American expansionist ambition.
• The concept of "benevolent assimilation" was presented as rationale for U.S. involvement. However, it concealed the colonial intentions.
• President McKinley, Senator Beveridge, and Senator Hoar held differing views on the morality and justification of annexation, supporting contrasting sides of ideology and self-determination.
• The Philippine-American War (1899-1902) resulted from the conflict over sovereignty. Key figures included Antonio Luna and Gregorio del Pilar. Continued resistance was seen with the actions of Miguel Malvar and Macario Sakay.
• The war was marked by brutality on both sides. Aguinaldo's capture was a major turning point.

Colonial Rule and the Rise of Filipino Nationalism (1901-1935)

• The Schurman and Taft Commissions were established by the US to govern.
• These commissions aimed to create a colonial administrative system, merging pragmatism and paternalism in their policies.
• Filipino nationalism was suppressed by legislative measures like the Sedition Law, Brigandage Act, and Flag Law.
• The Balangiga Massacre exemplified the brutality of these measures.
• Macario Sakay's case highlighted the harshness of the US approach to quell resistance.
• The Philippine Assembly was established, gradually integrating Filipinos into the governing structure.
• Key figures like Sergio Osmeña and Manuel Quezon played pivotal roles.
• The Partido Nacionalista advocated for swift independence.
• Governor-General Harrison's policies influenced the pace of integration.
• The Jones Law (1916) granted greater Filipino autonomy but delayed independence.
• The colonial economy was dominated by cash crops and free trade policies. Infrastructure and banking systems were introduced. However, dependency and inequality persisted.
• Filipino leaders relentlessly lobbied for independence through resident commissioners and independence missions to Washington D.C.
• The Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act and the Tydings-McDuffie Act paved the way for independence, highlighting controversies leading to its enactment.
• The 1935 Philippine Constitution established the Commonwealth. However, restrictions on women's suffrage limited its scope.
• The Commonwealth Government inaugurated a new era of Filipino leadership. This included the first national elections and the formation of a unicameral assembly.

War, Liberation, and the Birth of the Third Republic (1939-1946)

• World War II's Pacific Theater encompassed the Japanese invasion of the Philippines.
• The Japanese invasion involved swift attacks and the implementation of War Plan Orange, leading critical battles like Bataan and Corregidor.
• The Bataan Death March was a tragic consequence of the war.
• President Quezon and the government went into exile, further adding to the challenges.
• Allied forces, including the U.S., liberated the Philippines.
• The Battle of Leyte Gulf was a major turning point and the Battle of Manila was fiercely fought and devastating.
• President Osmeña's administration faced the challenges of rebuilding, engaging with the U.S., and addressing collaboration issues in the post-war period.

The Third Republic and Beyond (1946-Present)

• The Third Republic officially began on July 4, 1946. Ongoing US influence and recovering from the war presented significant obstacles
• This section outlines the presidencies of Roxas, Quirino, Magsaysay, Garcia, Macapagal, and Marcos.
• Critical post-war agreements, including the Philippine Rehabilitation Act, the Philippine Trade Act, and the Military Bases Agreement, profoundly impacted the Philippines.
• These agreements influenced economic sovereignty, perpetuated colonial mentalities, and exacerbated social inequalities.
• The Marcos regime initially promised national greatness. Their policies shifted to militaristic reliance and eventually led to Martial Law in 1972.

Additional Information

• Part 3 covers the World War II period, including Japanese invasion.
• Part 4 focuses on the Third Republic era and beyond, including Marcos's time in office.
• A timeline of key events is provided as a reference tool.
• The text critiques the documentary "Manila, Queen of the Pacific" (1938) due to its biased portrayal of the Philippines' social and economic situation.