Impact Of Spanish Colonial Rule PDF

Page | 1 IMPACT OF SPANISH COLONIAL RULE * POLITICAL STRUCTURE 1571 – Spain occupied Manila in an almost bloodless way. The purpose of Spanish colonization was the 3 G’s – God (driven by the anti-Muslim spirits of the Crusades and obligation to convert the natives t...

Page | 1 IMPACT OF SPANISH COLONIAL RULE * POLITICAL STRUCTURE 1571 – Spain occupied Manila in an almost bloodless way. The purpose of Spanish colonization was the 3 G’s – God (driven by the anti-Muslim spirits of the Crusades and obligation to convert the natives to Christianism), Gold (desire for economic wealth, demand for Oriental products, and monopoly of the lucrative spice trade; accumulation of bullions became the guiding principle of mercantilism), and Glory (Treaty of Zaragoza became a motivating factor to find land besides Moluccas for its policy of expansionism). 1565-1821 – the Philippines was a dependency of the Viceroyalty of Mexico (Nueva España). All Spanish territories was governed by the Royal and Supreme Council of Indies guided by the Recopilacion de Leyes de los Reynos de las Indias (compendium of in governing colonies). Political Institutions – centralized form of government whose power was concentrated with the Governor-General (chief executive, commander-in-chief of the army, issues and implement royal decrees, can disregard decrees not suitable to the colonies - cumplase, has the right to dismiss public officials except for those appointed by the King, President of the Royal Audiencia – highest court, and Vice Royal Patron – can appoint priests to ecclesiastical position). Checkers of the powers of the governor-general – 1. Residencia – special judicial court who reviews the performance of the outgoing governor-general. 2. Visita – sent to the colony by the King to observe the conditions of the colony. The Visitador could visit the colony in no specific time and reports directly to the King. 1863 – the administration of the Philippines was transferred to Spain under the Ministro de Ultramar (Ministry of Colony). Local Government – an arm to facilitate the administration of the country and to represent the King and the governor-general in the provinces. Provincial Government – 1. Alcaldias – formerly known as encomiendas; pacified provinces whose inhabitants accepted the Spanish rule and owed their loyalty to the King of Spain; headed by Alcaldes Mayores (usually appointed by the governor-general, implement the laws, collect taxes, performed judicial functions, was given a trading privilege known as indulto de comercio) and Alcaldes En Ordinario. 2. Corregimientos – led by the military officer called Corregidor or Corregidores; areas still in conflict with Spain and were not fully subjugated. City Government – known as ayuntamiento headed by an alcalde mayor. The first city was Cebu and later Manila as the capital city. Municipal Government – alcaldias were further divided into towns called pueblo which was governed by gobernadorcillo or capitan. This was due to the reduccion plan (resettlement) presented by Fr. Juan de Plasencia. The smallest political unit was the barangay headed by a cabeza de barangay. 1894 – there were 8 recognized ayuntamientos and these were Manila, Iloilo, Cebu, Jaro, Batangas, Albay, Nueva Caceres, and Vigan.  Page | 2 * SOCIAL STRUCTURE Social Stratification – governed by the principle of limpieza de sangre (purity of blood). The structure was divided into three: those with Spanish blood, those with money and power, and the Indio class. 1. First Structure: a. Peninsulares – Spaniards born in Spain (held the highest position in the Spanish colonial government, governor-general should be pure blooded Spaniards born in Spain); b. Insulares – Spaniards born in the Philippines (held positions in the colonial army and in the parishes); c. Spanish Mestizo – born with a Spanish father and Indio mother (the term Filipino was used to refer to the mestizos during the early part of the Spanish era). 2. Second Structure: a. Principalia – town’s ruling elite class (administrations of towns awere given to them); b. Creoles – landed native class; c. Chinese Mestizo – born of a Chinese father and Indio mother; d. Chinos – who arrived originally from China. 3. Third Structure: the most discriminated were the Indios who were not even regarded as human beings, they were treated worse than the Chinese and Chinese mestizos in the Philippines. 19th Century – another class emerged from the ranks and these were the Ilustrados – the educated class, Filipinos who benefited from economic progress brought about by the opening of the Philippines to the world commerce. * ECONOMIC POLICIES Taxes – 1. Direct Taxes – included personal tribute and tax imposed on income; 2. Indirect Taxes – comprised of bandala (annual enforced sale or requisition of goods like rice and coconut oil) and custom duties. Tribute – which ranges from 8 to 15 reales inclusive of 3 reales for sanctorum tax (church taxes for 3 festivities), 10 reales for tribute, 1 real for tithes, and 1 real for town community chest. In 1884, the tribute was replaced by cedula personal. Polo y Servicio Personal – forced labor, one of the most abusive Spanish economic policy; male ranging from 16 to 60 years old were obligated to give community service to the government for 40 days. Polistas or laborers were deployed to work in the construction of bridges and churches, repair of infrastructures, shipbuilding or cutting of logs in the forest. Falla – exemption fee for polo y servicios equal to 1 ½ reales a day. Encomienda System – a reward given by the King of Spain to those Spaniards who helped in the process of colonization. The natives were placed under one encomendero who will be responsible for their protection, education, and indoctrination. The encomendero were given the rights to collect taxes and recruitment of men for polo y servicios. Kinds of Encomienda: 1. Royal or Crown Encomienda – were those lands reserved for the King which included principal towns and ports (ex: Bagumbayan); 2. Private Encomienda – were granted to those individuals who were either the King’s protégés or men who served with merit during the conquest and pacification campaigns. Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade – also known as Galleon de Manila or Nao de China; the controlled trade between Manila and Acapulco which was held annually from 1565-1815; 200 days from Phil.-Mexico; 70 days from Mexico-Phil.; the trade where piloncitos (considered as the first coins; also called as dos mundos or pieces of eight) was used; effects were intercultural exchanges bet. Phil. & America and it brought valuable flora & fauna.  Page | 3 Real Sociedad Economica de Amigos del Pais – or Economic Society of Friends of the Country (1781) which came up with Plan General Economico that aims for income-generating monopolies of tobacco, nuts, and liquor. Gov. Gen. Basco gathered around experts on agriculture, manufacturing, education, and foreign trade to help the economy improve and develop. Tobacco Monopoly – institutionalized by Jose Basco y Vargas, it was created by virtue of a royal decree issued by King Charles III of Spain in 1782. The government strictly supervised the planting and manufacturing of tobacco in the Philippines, it will determine which provinces will plant tobacco, the quantity to be planted, and how much should be paid to those working in the plantations. This increased the government’s income and the Philippines became self-sufficient and even sent a portion of its income in Spain. Royal Company of the Philippines – founded on March 1785; established to promote a direct trade between Spain and colonies and the development of the colonies’ natural resources; a 25-year charter for the purpose of uniting American and Asian commerce; considered as a strong competitor of the Galleon Trade; it provided Filipinos an opportunity for an open trade with the Europeans; it increased the income of the colony and it allocated 4% of its profit for agricultural purposes. It was abolished in 1834. * RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION - Spain utilized Christianity as the best means to pacify and get the trust of the Filipino natives. They remove animism and replaced the anitos and diwatas with statues of saints. They introduced fiestas and other church festivities. Missionaries: 1. Augustinians – 1565; 2. Franciscans – 1577; 3. Jesuits – 1581; 4. Dominicans – 1587; 5. Recollects – 1606; 6. Benedictines – 1895. La Soberania Monacal – Monastic Supremacy also known as Frailocracia or Frailocracy given by M.H. del Pilar who believed that there is high influence of church on the state. - The Spaniards created brown indios in a black suit. They replaced kanggan and bahag with Americana and coat. Women created a blend of pre-colonial baro and saya with panuelo and mantillas. They learned to use slippers and build houses made of bricks. - Filipinos adopted Spanish sounding names as decreed by Gov. Gen. Narciso Claveria in 1849 (became the basis of exact tax collection and demographic control). Filipinos were exposed to Spanish language and were introduced to different forms of pastimes and entertainment (sabong, careras, cenakulo, moro-moro, zarzuela). 17th Century Filipino Writers – Fernando Bagongbanta (Salamat nang ualang hanga), Tomas Pinpin (auit), Pedro Suarez Ozorio (Salamat nang ualang hoyang) 18th Century Filipino Writers – Gaspar Aquino de Belen, Felipe de Jesus, Jose dela Cruz (Huseng Sisiw) Painters – Juan Luna, Felix Ressurecion Hidalgo, Maria Paz Paterno (only woman painter of the 19th Century) Books produced by the first wood-block printing – 1. Doctrina Cristiana en lengua española y tagala; 2. Doctrina Cristiana en letra y lengua china; 3. Wu-chi t’ien-chu cheng-chiao chen-chuan shih-lu (A discussion of real traditional propagation of the true religion) La Funeraria – first funeral parlor  Page | 4 Ferrocaril de Manila – only railway line in the Phil. (120 miles long from Manila to Dagupan) Compania de los Tranvias de Filipinas – in Manila, 1885 by Jacobo Zobel de Zangronis and Adolfo Bayo 1893 – La Electricista de Manila Puente Colgante – now Quezon Bridge, 1st suspension bridge in the Far East designed by Gustave Eiffel Museo Biblioteca de Filipinas – 1st public library and museum - Parochial schools were founded in order to propagate religion and to teach the natives obedience towards the religious authorities. Education was used for the indoctrination process of the natives. - Colleges or colegios were founded and taught Latin, geography, history and mathematics. 1589 – Colegio de San Ignacio was founded as the first college for boys (for priesthood and general secondary education) and became a university in 1621. Colegio de Sta. Potenciana was also founded as the first college for girls and was merged later to Colegio de Sta. Isabel which was founded in 1632 (oldest school for girls). College of San Ildefonso – Cebu (1599) University of San Carlos, sole secondary school outside Manila College of the Immaculate Concepcion – or Escuela Pia or Ateneo Municipal de Manila now Ateneo de Manila University, founded by the Jesuits in 1817 (school for the poor boys). Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario – now UST, oldest in Asia; longest existing university founded in 1611 and primarily run by the Dominican friars. Beaterios – for those daughters of upper class Spaniards who wanted to led a secluded life; 1. Beaterio dela Compania de Jesus (1684) 2. Santa Catalina de Sena (1696) 3. San Sebastian de Calumpang or Sta. Rita College (1719) 4. Santa Rita de Pasig (1740) 5. Santa Rosa (1750) Escuela Normal de Maestros de Manila – 1865-1901 1st normal school to train male teachers for primary schools Escuela Normal Superior de Maestras – supervised by Assumption in 1892, prepared Filipino women teachers for primary schools Seminario de Niños Huerfanos de San Pedro Y San Pablo – now College of San Juan de Letran, for orphaned Spanish children, oldest secondary school in the Phil. Educational Decree of 1863 – ordered the establishment of two schools in each town, one for the boys and one for the girls to improve the accessibility of education Spain could offer the natives. Moret Decree of 1870 – implemented by Gov. Gen. De la Torre; transferred the administration of schools under the government supervision (secularization of schools).  Page | 5 EARLY REVOLTS OF THE FILIPINOS Reasons why Indios revolted against Spaniards: 1. Personal Motives (Political & Religious Motives) 2. Resistance to Spanish-imposed institutions (polo, indulto, tribute, galleon trade, government system, monopoly) 3. Land problems (agrarian problems, land grabbing due to encomienda system) First Revolts – Lapu-lapu (1521) and Dagami (1567) in Cebu 1. Personal-Political Motives – Sulayman, Lakandula (1574), Conspiracy of the Maharlikas (1587-1588) 2. Personal-Religious Motives – Lanab and Alababan(1625), Francisco Rivera (Papa Rey-1718), Apolinario de la Cruz (Hermano Pule), Tamblot (1621), Bankaw, Tapar, Moro Wars Hermano Pule ‘s Confradia de San Jose Revolts – Phase I: 1832-1841 by Hermano Pule, Phase II: 1870-1871 by Januario Labios 3. Resistance to Spanish-imposed Institutions – Magalat (1596), Maniago and Malong, Diego Silang (1762), Pedro Mateo (Ambaristo Revolt-1807), Francisco Sumoroy (1644), Francisco Dagohoy (1744) Diego Silang – assassinated by the Silanistas namely Miguel Vicos and Pedro Buecbuec (Silang’s friend) 4. Land Problems – Dayag and Cutabay, Parang (Luis de los Santos) and Upay (Juan Silvestre) 1822, Casimiro Camerino (El Tulisan-1860) Failure of the Resistance Movement: 1. The geographic nature of the Philippines seemed to be the main source why most of the resistance failed; 2. There was a problem on national leadership; 3. Spain employed some indios to become assassins to kill leaders of revolts to suppress the uprisings; 4. The absence of national consciousness of the Filipinos hindered all resistance against Spanish rule. BIRTH OF FILIPINO NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS Decelerators of Filipino Nationalism - Divide & Conquer Rule Policy; superior military technology & strategy of Spaniards; co-optation of Filipino chiefly class with Spanish authorities; disunity; absence of good leaders; network of spies; and friars meddling with natives lives Accelerators of Filipino Nationalism - opening of the Phil. to world trade; liberal regime of De la Torre; secularization; Cavite Mutiny; and execution of the 3 martyrs Results of opening of the Philippines to world trade (1834-1898): 1. Principalia was formed (elite social group composed of gobernadorcillos and indio nobility) 2. Ideas on liberalism were learned through books like Two Treatises on Government (John Locke-1689) and the Social Contract (Jean Jacques Rousseau-1762) which believed that if people were not satisfied with their leaders, they can overthrow them 3. Leisure were developed – Manila Jockey Club for horseracing, Paco for bullfighting, teatros were established (Teatro Filipino-Echague,Quiapo/Circo de Bilibid/Teatro Zorilla-Recto/Teatro de Colon/Teatro de Porvenir), Salon de Pertierra in Escolta was built for movies 4. Other establishments – mail service between Manila & Cavite (1839); use of postage stamp (1854); Hotel de Oriente – 1st of its kind hotel (Binondo, 1880s); Fonda de Lala or  Page | 6 Fonda Francesca by Lala Ari – best hotel; Banco Español-Filipino de Isabel III – 1st Phil. bank that issued paper money in 1852; 1846 – 1st daily newspaper appeared 5. Residential organizations – Intramuros (within the walls, politico-religious center of the Spanish enclave in the Phil.); San Miguel (most fashionable district, part of Quiapo, 2nd concentration of Spaniards & other European business tycoon); Sampaloc ( contained large elite population, town of noted printers); and Extramuros (outside the wall, Filipino, Chinese, and Mestizo communities) / Binondo – business sector in Manila; Quiapo – residence of Filipino gov’t. clerks, artists & merchants; Tondo – residential area for clase pobre; Parian de los Sangleyes – reserved for the unconverted Chinese B.D. Baluyot – 1st known indio priest in 1698 Fr. Pedro Pablo Pelaez and Fr. Mariano Gomez – trailblazers in the nationalist movement and secularization La Algarada Caviteña – 1st ever huelga recorded in the Phil. Ilustrados – sons of the wealthy & well-to-do Filipino families Propagandists: 1. Graciano Lopez Jaena - wrote Fray Botod (Fat Friar) which deals with the ignorance, abuses, and immorality of Friar Botod - 1880, he left for Spain, enrolled in Medicine then transferred to Madrid - great orator, founder of Sol - 1891, published Discursos y Articulos Varios (compilation of his speeches and articles) - died on Jan. 20, 1896 at the age of 40 due to tuberculosis 2. Marcelo del Pilar - political analyst, married his first cousin Marciana - 1882, founded Diariong Tagalog - wrote a pamphlet “Caiingat Cayo” under his pen name Dolores Manapat to answer “Caingat Cayo” of Fray Jose Rodriguez who was attacking Rizal and his Noli - wrote Dasalan at Toksohan (parody of the prayer book), 10 Commandments of the Friars - Oct. 1888, he left for Spain, became editor of Sol in Dec. 1889 - Died on July 4, 1896 at the age of 46 due to hunger 3. Jose Protacio Realonda Mercado Rizal - 8 years old when he wrote Sa Aking Kabata - 1882, he left for Spain - 26 years old when he wrote Noli Me Tangere (The Social Cancer) - 1889 – published La Vision de Fr. Rodriguez - 1891 – wrote El Filibusterismo (The Reign of the Greed or The Subversive) with Valentin Ventura as financier - 1892 – returned to the Phil., founded La Liga Filipina, and was arrested - July 7, 1892 – banished to Dapitan - Dec. 30, 1896 – died by musketry La Solidaridad – mouthpiece of the Filipinos in Spain, Pablo Rianzares Bautista as financier and Jaena as the founder and first editor  Page | 7 Hispano-Filipino Association – urged the petition for parliamentary representation and secured the passage of the Maura Law in 1893 (law for compulsory teaching of Spanish) Masonry: 1. Lodge Revolucion – in Barcelona by Lopez Jaena 2. Lodge La Solidaridad – in Madrid 3. Lodge Nilad – in Manila by Serrano Laktaw 4. Lodge Walana – where Rosario Villaruel became the 1st woman mason THE KATIPUNAN AND THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION KKK – or Kataas-taasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, founded by Andres Bonifacio together with Valentin Diaz, Teodoro Plata, Ladislao Diwa and Deodato Arellano on July 7, 1892 Katipunan structure – was influenced by the Liga and the masonry where Bonifacio was a member (Lodge Taliba) Supreme Council – government with a cabinet Andres Bonifacio – Father of Phil. Revolution - born on Nov. 30, 1863 in Tondo, Manila - with brothers Ciriaco, Procopio, and Troadio with sisters Espiridiona and Maxima - peddler of canes and fans; made posters for business firms; clerk/messenger then agent in Fleming & Co.; agent of Fressell and Co. - read Rizal’s Noli & Fili, Ruins of Palmyra, Les Miserables, The Wandering Jew, Lives of the US President, International Law, Penal & Civil Codes, French Revolution - married Monica who died of leprosy - 1892, he met & married Gregoria de Jesus in 1893 who became the Lakambini of Katipunan under the Katipunan rites - died May 10, 1897 at the age 34 Emilio Jacinto – Brains of the Katipunan - born on Dec. 15, 1875 in Tondo, Manila - at the age of 18, he became the youngest member of KKK - wrote Kartilla (primer of Katipunan; consists of official teachings of the society with 13 teachings; it was supposed to be Bonifacio’s Decalogue but he saw that Kartilla was better than his) - editor of Kalayaan (official newspaper of Katipunan) - died in April 16, 1899 at the age of 24 Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Z. Ll. B. – rules to be followed by the members, originally the Decalogue with 10 rules. Kalayaan – Katipunan newspaper; press was bought by Candido Iban and Francisco del Castillo for P400 from Antonio Salazar; Jacinto bought some lost types or stole some from Diario de Manila; 2000 copies was released for its first number dated Jan. 18, 1896 but came out in mid-March with M.H. del Pilar as editor and Yokohama as the place of printing; included an article and the Manifesto by Jacinto (Dimas-Ilaw), Catuiran by Valenzuela (Madlang-Away), Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa by Bonifacio (Agap-ito Bagumbayan); led to 30,000 Members from 300 only.  Page | 8 Series of Events in KKK: (1896) 1. Aug. 19 – discovery of KKK; before midnight, Bonifacio and others reached Balintawak 2. Aug. 21 – Bonifacio changed KKK code 3. Aug. 22 – they proceeded to Pugadlawin 4. Aug. 23 – in the yard of Juan Ramos, they tore their cedulas (Cry of Pugadlawin) 5. Aug. 24 – it was decided that on the night of Aug. 29, there will be a general attack in Manila 6. Aug. 25 – first skirmish between Spaniards and Katipuneros 7. Aug. 26 – the alleged “Cry of Balintawak” which was just a simple story created by the Spaniards that they fought and won in the battle with the Katipuneros but the truth was they just killed two innocent farmers since they were not able to see the Katipuneros 8. Aug. 27 – they proceeded to Hagdang Bato 9. Aug. 28 – Bonifacio issued a manifesto inciting the people for a concerted attack against the Spaniards 10. Aug. 29 – Nagsabado sa Pasig by Valentin Cruz 11. Aug. 30 – the Katipuneros attacked the powder magazine at San Juan del Monte (Pinaglabanan Shrine); Gov. Gen. Ramon Blanco issued a decree declaring the 8 provinces under martial law Execution and Death of Bonifacio: (1897) 1. March 22 – Tejeros Convention where Katipunan was changed into a revolutionary/republic government and election was held for its officers but declared as null and void by Bonifacio 2. March 23 – Tejeros winner took their oath of office; Acta de Tejeros was created by Bonifacio explaining why he declared the results in the convention as null and void 3. Naik Military Agreement was created by Bonifacio organizing a government independent and separate from Aguinaldo which led to Bonifacio’s arrest 4. April 28 – Aguinaldo forwarded Bonifacio’s case (treason and sedition) to the Council of War 5. April 29 – the council personnel was completed and started the trial till May 4 6. May 8 – Baldomero Aguinaldo recommended for the execution of the Bonifacio brothers but Aguinaldo commuted it to banishment but changed it again to death sentence 7. May 10 – execution of Bonifacio brothers upon order of Gen. Noriel to Major Lazaro Makapagal at Mount Nagpatong SECOND PHASE OF THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION Reasons for Spanish-American War: 1. Letter of Spanish Ambassador Dupuy de Lome was intercepted by the Americans, content was saying that Pres. Mc Kinley was a weakling and a low politician 2. American warship Maine in Havana, Cuba was blown up 3. Economic interest of America over Cuba Singapore – Aguinaldo met US Consul Spencer Pratt who persuaded him to cooperate with the Americans Hong Kong – Consul Rouseville Wildman told Aguinaldo that Dewey made an arrangement for him to return to the Phil. and establish a dictatorial government necessary for prosecution of war against Spain; Aguinaldo ordered armaments from Wildman with the 1st shipment containing 2000 rifles and 200,000 rounds of ammunition for P50,000 and 2nd shipment worth P67,000 but no delivery was received by Aguinaldo  Page | 9 Dictatorial Government – declared because it was war time and the country needs a strong executive - May 24, 1898 – June 23, 1898 (Dictator) - May 29 – Aguinaldo issued a circular urging the people to stop the disgraceful treatment of the Spanish prisoners - June 1 – issued an order that all types of crimes were to be tried by competent military tribunals Revolutionary Government – June 23, 1898-March 23, 1901 - President as head, congress was created, four departments were established, had cabinet appointments - Jan. 21, 1899 – Aguinaldo proclaimed the Malolos Constitution - Jan. 23, 1899 – Phil. Republic was inaugurated in Malolos Events Prior to the Mock Battle of Manila (1898) - May 19 – Aguinaldo return to Cavite - May 28 – Battle of Alapan; Gov. Gen. Basilio de San Augustin called for a Consultative Assembly and appointed prominent mestizos - June 6-7 – Aguinaldo offered honorable surrender of Gov. Gen. Basilio de San Augustin after the Siege of Manila but Augustin disagree since he was protecting the Spanish code of honor - Augustin planned to surrender to the Americans but upon knowing this plan by the Peninsular Government, he was relieved by Gov. Gen. Fermin Jaudenes who also had the same plan of surrendering to the Americans - Dewey, Meritt and Jaudenes agreed on a mock battle; Gen. Francis Greene ordered Aguinaldo to vacate the Intramuros area for the battle - Aug.10 – original schedule for the mock battle but because of heavy rain, it was rescheduled - Aug. 12 – Mc Kinley ordered the suspension of all military operations against the Spaniards due to the Protocol of Peace - Aug. 13 – the mock battle happened in the morning; by 12 noon, Gen. Greene entered Intramuros; by 5 noon, both sides agreed on the content of the Terms of Capitulation - Aug. 14 - the Terms of Capitulation was signed by the Americans and the Spaniards - Aug. 16 – Meritt received the Aug. 12 order of Mc Kinley Filipino-American War - Feb. 4, 1899 – San Juan Bridge Incident where Private Robert William Grayson shot a Filipino sentry - Mabini resigned due to Aguinaldo’s formation of new cabinet - Antonio Luna was assassinated by the Kawit Company receiving 40 wounds - Gen. Gregorio del Pilar was killed in the Battle of Tirad Pass - Aguinaldo was captured by the Americans on March 23, 1901 - He took his oath of allegiance to America on April 1, 1901 - He appealed to all Filipinos to accept the sovereignty of US - 1901-1902 – Balangiga Massacre in Samar, known for its howling wilderness - The last three generals who still fought the Americans: Gen. Miguel Malvar, Gen. Vicente Lukban, and Gen. Macario Sakay - Dec. 10, 1898 – Treaty of Paris (US paid $20,000,000 to the Spanish government) - Dec. 21, 1898 – Benevolent Assimilation (1st official indication of American policy on the Phil.)  Page | 10 American Interests in the Philippines: 1. Economic Interest – expanding American business in the orient 2. Naval and Military Interest – made Phil. as the 1st line of American defense 3. Political Interest – Benevolent Assimilation 4. Religious Interest – made Phil. as the base of operations for Protestant missionaries American Influences to the Filipinos: 1. The system of public education was introduced where the American soldiers became the first public school teachers and later on substituted by the Thomasites. 2. Higher education was set-up like the state-supported University of the Philippines in 1908. 3. Co-education was allowed to be practiced. 4. English became the language of instruction which made the Philippines the third largest English-speaking country in the world. 5. The literacy rate of the Filipinos increased from 5%-8% during the Spanish Period to 65% during the American Period. 6. An advanced system on public health and sanitation was introduced resulting to a decrease in the mortality rate of the Filipinos. 7. Improvements were made on the trading system, commerce and industries which led to an enhanced economic condition of the country. 8. The utmost legacy was democracy in which Filipinos were given a chance to participate in government affairs through free and open elections. People enjoyed human rights, political parties were formed, and there was emancipation of women. 9. Colonial mentality was intensified and there was partial loss of the Filipino culture. 10. Filipinos became economically dependent to the Americans.