Schurman to taft Commission

Summary

This transcript covers the history of the U.S. government's role in establishing a new governance system in the Philippines after the Philippine-American War. It highlights the mission of two U.S. commissions sent by President McKinley, with the first led by Jacob G. Schurman. The commissions aimed to understand the conditions in the Philippines and recommend a form of government. They emphasized the U.S.'s goal to develop, civilize, and educate the Filipino people. The efforts led to significant reforms, including laws for local governance, health systems, judicial reforms, and the establishment of public education with English as the medium of instruction.

Takeaways

• 🇺🇸 The first government establishment in the Philippines by Americans occurred during the Philippine-American War.
• 📝 President McKinley sent two commissions to the Philippines, with the first being the Schurman Commission, led by Jacob G. Schurman.
• 📜 The Schurman Commission's main tasks were to investigate conditions in the Philippines and recommend a suitable form of government.
• 🤝 The U.S. emphasized noble intentions, claiming they aimed to civilize, educate, and prepare the Filipinos for eventual independence.
• 🏛️ The Commission officially began its work in September of the same year, laying down foundational laws for governance.
• 💵 The first law allocated $2 million for building and repairing roads, signifying early infrastructure development.
• ⚖️ The Commission enacted 440 laws, focusing on local governments, civil systems, and judicial organization, including establishing a Supreme Court.
• 🏥 Public health was prioritized, with several agencies established for health promotion and sanitation control.
• 🏫 Public education was also a major focus, with English becoming the medium of instruction, especially in schools and government.
• 🚢 A group of 600 American teachers, known as the 'Thomasites,' arrived in the Philippines to train and educate Filipino students.

Q & A

Who was sent to the Philippines by President McKinley during the Philippine-American War?

President McKinley sent two commissions to the Philippines, with the first being the Schurman Commission, led by Jacob G. Schurman, the president of Cornell University.

What was the main purpose of the Schurman Commission in the Philippines?

The main purpose of the Schurman Commission was to survey the conditions in the Philippines and recommend the type of government suitable for the Filipino people, with a mission of preparing them for eventual independence.

What instructions did President McKinley give to the Schurman Commission regarding governance?

President McKinley instructed the Schurman Commission that the government they were establishing in the Philippines was not for the selfish interests of the U.S. but for the benefit of the Philippine Islands.

When did the Schurman Commission officially begin its work in the Philippines?

The Schurman Commission arrived in Manila on March 4, 1899, and began its definitive activities in September of the same year.

What was the first law enacted by the Schurman Commission in the Philippines?

The first law enacted by the Schurman Commission appropriated 2 million U.S. dollars for building and repairing roads in the Philippines.

What were some of the major accomplishments of the Schurman Commission in the Philippines?

The Schurman Commission enacted 440 laws, organized local governments and civil systems, established a judicial system including the Supreme Court, and promoted public health and sanitation.

What was done to improve public health during the Schurman Commission's time in the Philippines?

Several agencies, including the Bureau of Health and quarantine service, were established to promote public health. Many hospitals and clinics were also built across the Philippines.

How did the Schurman Commission contribute to the education system in the Philippines?

The Schurman Commission organized the public school system, making English the medium of instruction for grade schools, business, and government. They also hired and brought 600 American teachers to the Philippines, known as the 'Thomasites.'

What was the role of the 'Thomasites' in the Philippines?

The 'Thomasites' were the first group of 600 American teachers brought to the Philippines to help establish the public school system and teach in English.

What was the long-term goal of the United States for the Philippines as expressed by the Schurman Commission?

The long-term goal of the U.S. as expressed by the Schurman Commission was to prepare the Filipinos for eventual independence through civilizing, educating, and developing self-governance in the country.