How Americans LIED to the Philippines | History

Summary

The video script narrates the complex history of the Philippines during the Spanish-American War and the subsequent American occupation. It details how the Philippines, seeking independence from Spain, initially allied with the US, only to be betrayed and colonized by a new power. The US, driven by strategic, economic, and ideological interests, established colonial rule under the guise of 'benevolent assimilation.' This led to the Philippine-American War, where Filipinos, despite being outmatched, fiercely resisted US imperialism. The narrative concludes with the US granting the Philippines commonwealth status in 1935 and full independence in 1946, acknowledging the Filipino struggle for self-determination.

Takeaways

• 🏳️‍🌟 The Filipino revolutionaries initially fought alongside the Americans against Spain, viewing the Spanish-American War as an opportunity for independence.
• 🌎 The United States aimed to extend its influence into Asia and saw the Philippines as a strategic territory with abundant resources and a central location in Southeast Asia.
• 🤔 American leaders believed in their own superiority and the need to 'civilize' and 'modernize' the Philippines, viewing the Filipinos as in need of American guidance.
• 🚢 The U.S. Navy's victory at the Battle of Manila Bay in 1898 paved the way for American troops to enter and seize control of the Philippines.
• 🗣️ The U.S. initially promised to support Philippine independence but later decided to annex the country, betraying the trust of the Filipino revolutionaries.
• 💵 Spain ceded control of the Philippines to the U.S. for 20 million dollars after its defeat in the Spanish-American War.
• 🏛️ The U.S. established a colonial administration in the Philippines, with William Howard Taft as the first governor, implementing policies of 'benevolent assimilation'.
• 🛡️ The Filipinos resisted American colonization, leading to the Philippine-American War from 1899 to 1902, where they faced a technologically superior American military.
• 🏞️ The U.S. used harsh tactics such as concentration camps and scorched earth policies, causing significant displacement and suffering among the Filipino population.
• 🏛️ Despite internal conflicts, the Filipinos were tenacious defenders, making the war costly for the United States.
• 🏅 The U.S. granted the Philippines commonwealth status in 1935, providing some autonomy but retaining control over foreign affairs and defense.
• 🌟 Full independence was finally granted to the Philippines in 1946, following global trends of decolonization and self-determination after World War II.

Q & A

What event did the Filipino revolutionaries seize as an opportunity to fight against the Spaniards?

The Filipino revolutionaries took the outbreak of war between Spain and the United States as an opportunity to fight against the Spaniards.

Why did the United States intervene in the conflict between Spain and Cuba?

The U.S intervened due to reports of Spanish atrocities against the Cuban people, driven by humanitarian concerns to minimize their suffering.

What was the strategic significance of the Philippines for the United States during the late 19th century?

The Philippines was seen as a coveted territory with abundant resources and a strategic location in Southeast Asia, essential for extending U.S influence into Asia.

How did the U.S. leaders justify their colonization of the Philippines?

U.S. leaders justified their colonization by the belief in the superiority of American-style democracy and capitalism, with a sense of responsibility to civilize and modernize the Filipinos.

What was the role of Admiral George Dewey in the U.S. involvement in the Philippines?

Admiral George Dewey played a significant role by destroying the Spanish Fleet during the Battle of Manila Bay, which allowed the U.S. to deploy troops and seize Manila.

Why did the United States break its promise to the Philippines after the victory over Spain?

The U.S. broke its promise because it planned to annex the Philippines, seeing it as an opportunity to spread American power in Asia and maintain it as a colony.

Who served as the first governor of the Philippines under American colonial rule?

William Howard Taft served as the first governor of the Philippines before he became the President of the United States.

What was the term used by American politicians to justify their imperialism in the Philippines?

The term used was 'benevolent assimilation,' which was meant to portray the colonization as a mission to modernize and civilize the country.

How did the Filipinos respond to the realization of American betrayal and broken promises?

The Filipinos felt betrayed and turned against the Americans, leading to the Philippine-American War from 1899 to 1902, also known as the Philippine Insurrection.

What tactics did the Filipino fighters employ during the Philippine-American War?

The Filipino fighters used guerrilla warfare, hit and run attacks, and leveraged their expertise in local terrain, despite being poorly equipped and lacking formal training.

What policies did the United States implement in the Philippines to maintain control and spread American influence?

The U.S. enforced economic policies favoring American enterprises, implemented educational policies to teach English and American culture, and used force through the creation of the Philippine constabulary.

When did the United States finally grant full independence to the Philippines?

The United States granted full independence to the Philippines in 1946, following the trend of self-determination and decolonization after World War II.