How The US Stole The Philippines

Summary

The script narrates the historical account of the United States' colonization of the Philippines, beginning with Spain's influence and the subsequent American conquest. It discusses the US's strategic military actions, the fabricated battle for Manila, and the Filipinos' fight for independence against American rule. The script also addresses the legal and political implications of US territorial acquisitions, the concept of 'unincorporated territories,' and the lasting effects on the rights and representation of inhabitants in these territories, drawing parallels to current issues faced by US island territories.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Philippines, a cluster of 7,000 islands, has a rich history of its own with over 30,000 years of human habitation and cultural development.
• 🏰 The islands were colonized by Spain, which left a lasting impact on the culture and identity of the Filipino people, including the adoption of Spanish names and religion.
• 🇺🇸 The United States, once a colony itself, became an empire, expanding beyond its mainland borders and engaging in wars of conquest, starting with the Spanish-American War in 1898.
• 🎭 The U.S. used the narrative of 'liberation' to justify its wars and colonial expansion, particularly in the Philippines, despite the locals already fighting for their independence from Spain.
• 🤝 The U.S. and Spanish militaries orchestrated a fake battle to maintain the appearance of the U.S. liberating the Philippines from Spanish rule, excluding Filipino fighters from the final stages of the conflict.
• 💵 The U.S. paid Spain 20 million dollars as part of the Treaty of Paris, effectively purchasing the Philippines and establishing a new colonial relationship.
• 🏳️ The Filipino people resisted U.S. colonization, leading to a bloody conflict known as the Philippine-American War, which resulted in numerous civilian casualties.
• 🏛️ The U.S. Supreme Court created the category of 'unincorporated territories' for places like the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam, where inhabitants had limited rights and no voting representation.
• 🍊 A legal dispute over tariffs on oranges from Puerto Rico brought the status of these territories into question, highlighting the contradiction between American ideals and its colonial actions.
• 🕊️ The Philippines was granted independence in 1946, but the precedent set by the Supreme Court continues to affect the status and rights of residents in U.S. territories today.
• 🌐 The script challenges the viewer to reconsider the narrative of U.S. history, acknowledging its role as an empire and the ongoing implications of colonialism on contemporary society.

Q & A

What are the 7,000 islands referred to in the script?

The 7,000 islands refer to the Philippines.

How long have people been living in the Philippines?

People have been living in the Philippines for over 30,000 years.

What was the original name of the Philippines?

The original name of the Philippines was Ma'I.

How did the Spanish influence the Philippines during their rule?

The Spanish brought their religion, language, and culture to the Philippines, which is why many common last names are of Spanish origin, such as Reyes or Del Rosario.

How did the United States justify going to war with Spain in 1898?

The United States justified the war by claiming they were liberating the people of Spanish colonies, including Cuba and the Philippines, from Spanish rule.

What was the role of Teddy Roosevelt in the war against Spain?

Teddy Roosevelt, then the assistant secretary of the Navy, played a key role in pushing the United States to go to war with Spain and directed the Navy to attack Spanish territories, including the Philippines.

What was the outcome of the fake battle between the US and Spain in Manila?

The US staged a fake battle with Spain in Manila, resulting in a US victory. This allowed the US to claim sovereignty over the Philippines, rather than recognizing Filipino independence.

What was the Filipino reaction to US sovereignty over their country?

Filipinos, who had been fighting for their independence, rejected US sovereignty and continued to fight for their freedom in a bloody war against the United States.

What were the Insular Cases, and what did they determine?

The Insular Cases were a series of Supreme Court cases that determined the status of US territories. The court ruled that these territories, including the Philippines, were 'unincorporated territories' where inhabitants did not have full constitutional rights.

How does the US's treatment of its territories contradict its founding beliefs?

The US's treatment of its territories as 'unincorporated' and denying their residents full rights contradicts the founding belief that 'all men are created equal' and highlights the country's imperial actions.

How does the legacy of US colonialism still affect territories like Puerto Rico today?

The legacy of US colonialism affects territories like Puerto Rico by denying residents full representation and rights, leading to inadequate responses to crises and treating these territories as separate from the mainland US.