HISTORICAL MILESTONES

Political:

1898: The Philippine-American War erupted following the Treaty of Paris, which ceded the Philippines from Spain
to the United States. The Filipino revolutionary leader, Emilio Aguinaldo, declared independence but faced a
brutal suppression campaign by American forces. (Image of Philippine-American War)

1901: The war officially ends with American control firmly established. The Philippine Commission is formed to
govern the islands, introducing a centralized administration and American legal systems.

1907: The Jones Act grants greater autonomy, establishing an elected Philippine Assembly and promising eventual
independence.

1934: The Tydings-McDuffie Act sets a ten-year transition period towards Philippine independence. The
Commonwealth of the Philippines was established, with Manuel L. Quezon as the first president.

1942-1945: The Philippines was occupied by Japan during World War II. A Filipino resistance movement emerged,
collaborating with American forces to liberate the country.

Social and Economic:

1902: The Education Act establishes a public school system, modeled after the American one, promoting the
English language and American values. (Image of Education Act of 1902)

1908: The Philippine Constabulary is formed, maintaining peace and order throughout the archipelago.

1916: The Jones Act expands suffrage to all literate male Filipinos, increasing political participation.

1930s: The Land Reform Act attempts to address land ownership inequality, but faces strong opposition from
wealthy landowners.

1946: The Philippines finally gained its independence on July 4th, marking the end of the American colonial era.

INFLUENTIAL POLITICAL FIGURES

Filipino Leaders

The American period in the Philippines, spanning from 1898 to 1946, was a tumultuous era marked by struggles for
independence, the formation of political parties, and the rise of influential figures who shaped the nation's
future.

Emilio Aguinaldo (1869-1964): A revolutionary leader who declared Philippine independence from Spain in 1898 and
served as the first president of the First Philippine Republic. He later led the resistance against American
occupation during the Philippine-American War.

Manuel L. Quezon (1878-1944): A prominent politician who served as the second president of the Commonwealth of
the Philippines from 1935 to 1944. He advocated for Philippine independence and secured the passage of the
Tydings-McDuffie Act, which promised independence in 1946.

Sergio Osmeña (1878-1961): A close political ally of Quezon, who served as vice president of the Commonwealth of
the Philippines and later succeeded Quezon as president during World War II. He played a crucial role in the
Philippine resistance against Japanese occupation.

Jose P. Laurel (1891-1959): A lawyer and politician who served as president of the Second Philippine Republic, a
puppet state established by the Japanese during World War II. He remains a controversial figure due to his
collaboration with the Japanese.

American Leaders:

William Howard Taft (1857-1930): The first civilian governor-general of the Philippines, appointed by President
McKinley in 1901. He implemented policies aimed at modernizing the Philippines and establishing self-government,
but his tenure was also marked by the Philippine-American War.

Leonard Wood (1860-1920): A military governor of the Philippines from 1906 to 1910, who focused on
infrastructure development and education reform. He was known for his emphasis on Americanization and
assimilation of the Filipino population.

Francis Burton Harrison (1873-1957): A governor-general of the Philippines from 1913 to 1921, who introduced
policies promoting Filipinization of the government and greater autonomy for the Philippines. He is credited
with paving the way for Philippine independence.
Other Notable Figures:

Apolinario Mabini (1864-1903): A revolutionary leader and intellectual who served as Prime Minister of the First
Philippine Republic. He is known for his writings on Philippine nationalism and his opposition to American
annexation.

Gregorio del Pilar (1875-1899): A young general in the Philippine Revolution who became a national hero for his
bravery and leadership in the Battle of Tirad Pass. He is remembered as a symbol of Filipino resistance against
foreign occupation.

Sakdalista Movement: A religious and political movement that emerged in the 1930s, advocating for social justice
and land reform. It was led by Benigno Ramos and posed a challenge to American and Filipino elite control.

Military Government
The form of administration by which an occupying power exercises government authority

over occupied territory. The American military rule in the Philippines began on April 4, 1898,

the day after the capture of Manila. The existence gave the President of the United States the

power to establish a Military Government in the Philippines, as Commander-in-Chief of all

Armed Forces of the United States. His authority was delegated to the military governor who

exercised as long as the war lasted, all powers of government – executive, legislative, and

judicial. The first American Military Governor was General Wesley Merritt, and the second was

General Elwell E. Otis and the third and last was Major General Arthur MacArthur. Military

The governor exercised all three powers of government which consisted of army, war, and state.

Civil Government
Apparatus of the state other than its military units that enforce law and order. According to

the so-called Spooner Amendment (on the Army Appropriation Act passed in the US Congress on

March 3, 1901) which ended the military regime in the Philippines, the Civil Government was

inaugurated in Manila on July 4, 1901. The Civil Governor whose position was created on

October 29, 1901. The Civil Governor also exercised legislative powers. He remained as

President of the Philippine Commission, the sole law-making body of the government from 1901

to 1907. From 1907 to 1916, the Philippine Commission acted as the upper house of the

legislative branch with the Philippine Assembly serving as the lower house. With the passage of

the Spooner Law in 1916, these two bodies gave way to the Philippine Legislature. The

The Philippines was represented in the United States by two Resident Commissioners who were

elected the Philippine Legislature. The known Civil Governor from this government was William

Howard Taft, Henry C. Ide, and James S. Smith.

Commonwealth Government
The next stage in the political development of the Filipinos was the establishment of the

Commonwealth Government of the Philippines pursuant to an act of the United States Congress

on March 24, 1934, commonly known as the Tydings- McDuffie Law. Among other things, the

law provided for a transition period of ten years during which the Philippines Commonwealth

would operate and at the expiration of said period on July 4, 1896, the independence of the

The Philippines would be proclaimed and established. The new government of the Commonwealth of

the Philippines, deemed successor to the Government of the Philippine Islands, was inaugurated

on November 15, 1935, following the first national election under the 1935 Constitution held on

September 12, 1935, with Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña, as President and Vice President, respectively.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS

PHASES in the American Period:

1. Acquisition and Crisis Phase (1898-1902):

•The US acquired the Philippines from Spain in 1898, sparking Filipino resistance led by Emilio Aguinaldo.

•A fierce conflict lasted from 1899 to 1902, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.

•U.S. tactics included concentration camps, which caused extensive suffering.

2. Post-Conflict Phase and Growing Autonomy (1902-1913):

•Despite suppressing the rebellion, the US faced ongoing Moro resistance in the south.

•The Philippines Act of 1902 provided limited self-government, laying the foundation for democratic
institutions.

•The Nationalist Party emerged as a major political force advocating for increased autonomy.

3. Legislative Progress and Moro Unrest (1913-1927):

•Frequent legislative elections saw the Nationalist Party dominate, pushing for independence.

•The Jones Act of 1916 established a bicameral legislature, further empowering Filipino self-governance.

•Moro rebellion continued in the south, with Major General Pershing implementing forceful disarmament measures.

4. Independence Movement Gains Momentum (1927-1941):

•The Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934 promised Philippine independence within 12 years, creating the Commonwealth.

•Governors Wood and Stimson faced increasing demands for independence from the Filipino people.

Key Points of the American Period in the Philippines

1. Transition from a Republic to a Colonial Power:

•The Battle of Manila Bay in 1898 marked the US shift from a republic to a colonial power.

•This shift also led to a change in self-perception, with the US now viewing itself as a world power with a
"civilizing" mission.

2. The Philippine-American War (1899-1902):

•Conflict erupted between Filipino nationalists and US forces after the US annexed the Philippines from Spain.

•Despite the US declaration of victory in 1902, resistance continued in some areas.

3. Americanization and Urban Development:

•The US aimed to "civilize" the Philippines through Westernization and urban planning.

•The Philippine Commission emphasized the importance of developing urban centers to establish American authority
and "modernize" the country.

•Daniel Burnham's urban plans for Manila and Baguio exemplified this vision, featuring grand government
buildings, parks, and boulevards.

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POLICY CHANGES

During the American period in the Philippines (1898-1946), several significant policy changes were

implemented. These included:

* Educational Reform: The establishment of a public education system based on American models aimed at providing
primary education for Filipinos.

* Infrastructure Development: The Americans improved transportation, communication, and infrastructure,

* Cultural and Social Changes: American influence led to changes in language, legal systems, and cultural
practices, impacting Filipino society.

These policies and changes had a profound effect on the Philippines, shaping its governance, economy, and
societal structures during this period