The Annexation of the Philippines. Was it Right or Wrong?

Summary

This video explores the complex history of the Philippine-American War, beginning with the U.S. involvement in the Spanish-American War and the Philippines' struggle for independence. After defeating Spain, the U.S. initially viewed itself as a liberator but soon became an occupier, leading to guerrilla warfare. The video delves into key events such as the mock battle for Manila, tensions between Filipino rebels and American forces, and the eventual annexation of the Philippines. It also raises critical questions about whether the Philippines could have remained independent if the U.S. had not intervened, highlighting the broader context of imperialism in the late 19th century.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Philippine Revolution began before the U.S. formally ended the Spanish-American War, with Filipinos fighting for independence from Spain.
• 😀 The U.S. took control of the Philippines after defeating Spain, but the Filipinos did not want to be annexed and desired independence.
• 😀 Admiral Dewey played a crucial role in the U.S. victory in the Philippines, even bringing Filipino revolutionary leader Aguinaldo back to the islands.
• 😀 A mock battle was staged between the U.S. and Spanish forces to avoid bloodshed during the surrender of Manila, but some casualties occurred.
• 😀 The Treaty of Paris (1898) gave the U.S. control of the Philippines, but the Filipino rebels were excluded from the negotiations.
• 😀 Tensions grew as the U.S. established a military government in the Philippines, leading to the outbreak of the Philippine-American War.
• 😀 Aguinaldo declared the First Philippine Republic in 1899, but this clashed with U.S. interests, resulting in further conflict.
• 😀 The Philippine-American War officially began on February 4, 1899, and lasted until 1902, with the U.S. eventually gaining control of the Philippines.
• 😀 European powers, including Germany and Japan, had interests in the Pacific, making the Philippines a potential target for colonization after Spain's departure.
• 😀 The U.S. faced difficult questions about whether they could have guaranteed Philippine independence without annexing the islands, considering the imperialist ambitions of other powers.
• 😀 The complexity of the geopolitical situation suggests that the Philippines might not have remained independent without U.S. intervention, as other colonial powers could have taken control.

Q & A

What was the initial American involvement in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War?

The U.S. became involved in the Philippines when Admiral Dewey's fleet defeated the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. The U.S. sent an expeditionary force to occupy the Philippines, aiming to free the islands from Spanish colonial rule.

How did the Filipinos react to the American arrival after defeating the Spanish?

The Filipinos, who had been fighting for independence from Spain, did not want to be annexed by the U.S. They began to see America as an occupier, leading to the start of the Philippine-American War.

What was Admiral Dewey's plan to avoid a bloody battle for Manila?

Admiral Dewey arranged a mock battle in which both Spanish and American forces would fire over each other’s heads. The Spanish would then surrender under the pretext of this staged battle, avoiding significant casualties.

What role did the Germans play during this period in the Philippines?

The Germans had a naval presence in Manila Bay to protect their business interests, which caused tensions with the U.S. The situation was resolved when Dewey made a forceful statement warning the Germans against interfering.

Why did tensions rise between the Filipinos and Americans after the Treaty of Paris?

The Treaty of Paris, signed in December 1898, ended the Spanish-American War and ceded the Philippines to the U.S. without consulting the Filipinos, escalating tensions as they felt betrayed by the U.S. after fighting for their independence.

What did President McKinley state in his executive order regarding American treatment of Filipinos?

In his executive order of January 20, 1899, President McKinley emphasized that the U.S. should show respect for Filipino customs and institutions, aiming to treat them as a liberating force rather than an imperial power.

How did Aguinaldo respond to the American presence in the Philippines?

Aguinaldo, the leader of the Filipino independence movement, declared the First Philippine Republic on January 21, 1899, and positioned himself as the leader, rejecting American control over the islands.

What triggered the start of the Philippine-American War?

The war officially began on February 4, 1899, when Filipino soldiers refused to respond to a challenge from an American sentry. This incident escalated, leading the U.S. Army to launch an attack on Filipino positions.

What was the result of the Philippine-American War?

The Philippine-American War lasted from February 1899 to July 1902, resulting in a U.S. victory and the eventual annexation of the Philippines as an American colony.

Could the Philippines have maintained independence if the U.S. had not annexed the islands?

It is debated whether the Philippines could have maintained independence. Given the geopolitical situation with Germany, Japan, and other European powers eyeing the Pacific, it is likely that another imperial power would have colonized the islands if the U.S. had not annexed them.