LEARNING MODULE SURIGAO STATE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY

TITLE : READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY

TOPIC : AMERICAN COLONIZATION

TIME FRAME : 8 hours

INTRODUCTION : The Filipinos accepted help from the Americans to win the
revolution against Spain. The Filipinos won the revolution and the Spaniards left the Philippines
too. The Americans cheated the Filipinos. They wanted to colonize the Philippines too. So, the
Americans took over from the Spaniards and made our country a colony of the United States.
The first Philippine Republic was the first independent republic in Asia by Asians. It lived only for
two years because the Filipinos lost the war against the United States.

OBJECTIVES : In this lesson, learners will be able to:

1. explain the Economic Policy, Political and Social Conditions;
2. recognize the Positive Negative Result of American Occupation;
and
3. familiarize the American Heritage.
PRE-TEST:

Answer the following questions:

1. What was the immediate cause of the war between Spain and the U.S.?

2. Explain briefly what is Manifest Destiny?

3. Trace the historical event of the dictatorial government?

LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Read the following view and concept of American colonization of our country.

Why the Americans came to Philippines?

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1. The Spanish American war. A war broke up between the United States and Spain on
April 25, 1898.
2. New Lands. The United States wanted new lands in Asia for their business to develop
and to trade.
3. American Bases. The United States was also looking for an Asian Naval bases and
shipping ports, these bases was needed to refuel, repair and supply its growing navy
and commercial ships.
4. The Policy of “Manifest Destiny”. The Americans believed that it as their mission to
civilize the Filipinos, to educate and train them for democracy and to make them better
Christians.
5. The Filipino invitation. In fact, the Filipinos asked the Americans to come and help them
fight the Spaniards in the Philippines.

Battle of Manila Bay

Commodore Dewey, commander of the
U.S. Navy Asiatic Squadron was, already
in Hong Kong and heard the news of the
outbreak of the Spanish – American War.
He was ordered by the U.S. government
to go at once to the Philippines and
destroy the Spanish navy there. The
American squadron passed during the
night through Corregidor and surprised
the Spanish navy at Manila bay. Battle of Manila Bay
The battle of Manila Bay was finished in one day May 1, 1898 and the Americans
won. The Battle of Manila Bay, so cheaply won by Dewey, was one of the most
decisive and significant battles in American history. Dewey’s victory signaled the
end of more than three centuries of Spanish rule and the beginning of a new
colonial era of American rule.

The Return of Aguinaldo

After Dewey’s victory of Manila Bay, the Filipino war leaders returned to the Philippines. At first,
they were given help by the Americans, Aguinaldo and his friends left Hong Kong onboard the
Dewey’s dispatch ship. Aguinaldo met Dewey, both men were happy to see each other, the
Filipinos and the Americans agreed to fight against the Spaniards.

Filipinos Victories against Spain

The Americans won the war at sea, but the Filipinos won the war on land. After Aguinaldo and
his general returned, the patriots rushed to arms again, this time they united behind Aguinaldo
to win the revolution against Spain. He was at the head of a large Filipino army, they were all
volunteers willing to fight and die for the independence. The Filipinos beat the Spanish
government troops in one battle after another at Cavite, Laguna, Tayabas, Batangas,
Pampanga and other provinces. By June 1898 Aguinaldo and the Filipinos had conquered the
whole Luzon except Manila.

Dictatorial Government

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For a short of a time, Aguinaldo headed a dictatorial government, his adviser Ambrosio
Rianzares Bautista, convinced him that a dictatorship was needed to fight against Spain. This
dictatorial government only lasted from May 24, 1898.
Declaration of Philippine Independence

The most important act of the dictatorial government was

the declaration of the Philippine Independence at Kawit,
Cavite on June 12, 1898. Aguinaldo proudly displayed the
new national flag with the sun and three stars. The
Philippine national anthem was played for the first time
also.

Surrender of Spain House of Emilio Aguinaldo

The city of Manila was doomed. It was surrounded on land by 12,000 Filipinos troops of General
Aguinaldo. It was cut off from the sea by Dewey’s American warships, at any moment was
expected to fall. The Spanish Governor General Fermin Jaudenes, secretly talks to the
Americans for the surrender of the Spaniards. It was agreed that he would surrender after a little
fight to save Spain’s honor. Aguinaldo did not know this secret deal between the Americans and
the Spaniards. The co – called Battle of Manila began at 9:30 AM of August 13,1898. After only
one and a half hours of fighting. The white flag of surrender was raised on the Intramuros. The
Filipinos had won but the Philippines was still not free because the Spaniards surrendered to
the Americans not to the Filipinos.

THE FIRST PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC AND THE FILIPINO – AMERICAN WAR

The Malolos Congress and Malolos Constitution

Eighty – five Filipinos met in a revolutionary congress at Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan
start in September15, 1898. They were the most intelligent men in the country, the president of
the Malolos Congress was Dr. Pedro A. Paterno. This congress approved the independence of
the Philippines and the making of a new constitution for the Philippines.
The Malolos Constitution written by the congress was proclaimed on January 22, 1899, creating
what is known today as the First Philippine Republic, with Aguinaldo as its president. The
constitution was approved by delegates to the Malolos Congress on January 20, 1899, and
sanctioned by Aguinaldo the next day. The convention had earlier elected Aguinaldo president
on January 1, 1899, leading to his inauguration on January 23. Parts of the constitution gave
Aguinaldo the power to rule by decree. The constitution was titled "Constitución política", and
was written in Spanish.

The First Philippine Republic

On January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic was inaugurated at Barasoain Church, it was
a solemn and happy time. Everybody dressed in their best costume. Aguinaldo was sworn in as
president of the First Republic at the church altar.

Failure of the First Philippine Republic

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The First Philippine Republic lived only for two years January 23, 1899 to March 23, 1901. It
ended on the day when Aguinaldo was captured by the Americans.

The Americans start the War

The Americans pretended that the Filipinos brutally attacked them. At 8:00 PM of February 4,
1899 an American Sharp shooter shot and killed a Filipino soldier crossing the San Juan Bridge.

The Filipino American War

At daybreak of February 5, 1899, the American navy bombarded the Filipino positions in Manila.
On March 31, 1899, the Americans captured Malolos, which was then the capital of the First
Philippine Republic. One by one, the Filipino generals and officials were captured by the enemy
and deported to Guam.
When the First Philippine Republic was constituted on January 22, 1899 in Malolos, that
municipality became the seat of government of the Philippine Republic, and was serving as
such when hostilities erupted between U.S. and Filipino forces in the Second Battle of Manila on
February 4. On February 4, 1899, armed conflict erupted in Manila between Philippine Republic
forces and American forces occupying the city subsequent to the conclusion of the Spanish–
American War. That day President Aguinaldo issued a proclamation ordering and commanding
that "peace and friendly relations with the Americans be broken and that the latter be treated as
enemies, within the limits prescribed by the laws of war." The fighting quickly escalated into
the Second Battle of Manila, with Philippine Republic forces being driven out of the city.
American forces pushing north from Manila after the outbreak of fighting captured Caloocan on
February 10. On March 29, as American forces threatened Malolos, the seat of government
moved to San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. On March 31, American forces captured Malolos, the initial
seat of the Philippine Republic government, which had been gutted by fires set by withdrawing
Philippine Republic forces. Emilio Aguinaldo and the core of the revolutionary government had
by then moved to San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. Peace negotiations with the American Schurman
Commission during a brief ceasefire in April–May 1899 failed, and San Isidro fell to American
forces on May 16. The Philippine Republic core government had moved by then to Bamban,
Tarlac, and subsequently moved to Tarlac town. Aguinaldo's party had already left Tarlac, the
last capital of the Philippine Republic, by the time American troops occupied it on November 13.[
American forces captured Calumpit, Bulacan on April 27 and, moving north, captured Apalit,
Pampanga with little opposition on May 4 and San Fernando, Pampanga on May 5. This forced
the seat of government to be shifted according to the demands of the military situation.
In October 1899 American forces were in San Fernando, Pampanga and the Philippine
Republic was headquartered not far north of there, in Angeles. On October 12, an American
offensive to the north forced the Philippine Republic to relocate its headquarters in November to
Tarlac, and then to Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. On November 13, under pressure by American
forces, Aguinaldo and a party departed Bayombong by rail for Calasiao, Pangasinan, from
where they immediately proceeded eastwards to Sta. Barbara in order to evade pursuing
American forces. In Sta. Barbara, they joined a force of some 1200 armed men led by
General Gregorio del Pilar.[
On November 13, in a conference in Bayambang, Pangasinan, Aguinaldo decided to disperse
his army and begin guerrilla war. From that point on, distance and the localistic nature of the
fighting prevented him from exercising a strong influence on revolutionary or military operations.

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Recognizing that American troops blocked his escape east, he turned north and west on
November 15, crossing the mountains into La Union province. Aguinaldo's party eluded
pursuing American forces, passing through Tirad Pass near Sagada, Mountain Province where
the Battle of Tirad Pass was fought on December 2 as a rear guard action to delay the
American advance and ensure his escape. At the time of the battle, Aguinaldo and his party
were encamped in Cervantes, about 10 km south of the pass. After being notified by a rider of
the outcome of the battle and the death of del Pilar, Aguinaldo ordered that camp be broken,
and departed with his party for Cayan settlement. Aguinaldo was captured by American forces
on March 23, 1901 in Palanan, Isabela. Following his capture, Aguinaldo announced allegiance
to the United States on April 1, 1901, formally ending the First Republic and recognizing
the sovereignty of the United States over the Philippines.
Aguinaldo's party, traveling with del Pilar's force, reached Manaoag, Pangasinan on November
15. There, the force was split into vanguard and rear guard elements, with Aguinaldo and del
Pilar in the vanguard. The vanguard force overnighted in Tubao, La Union, departed there on
November 16, and was in Naguilian, La Union by November 19, where word was received that
American forces had taken Santo Tomas and had proceeded to Aringay. Aguinaldo's force
arrived in Balaoan, La Union on November 19, pushed on the next day, and arrived at the Tirad
Pass, a natural choke point, on November 23. General del Pilar decided to place a blocking
force in Tirad Pass to delay pursuing American forces while Aguinaldo's party moved on.[
The Battle of Tirad Pass took place on December 2, 1899. 52 men of del Pilar's 60-man force
were killed, including del Pilar himself. However, the Filipinos under del Pilar held off the
Americans long enough for Aguinaldo's party to escape. Aguinaldo, encamped with his party
about 10 km south of the pass in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, was apprised of the result of the battle
by a rider, and moved on. The party reached Banane settlement on December 7, where
Aguinaldo paused to consider plans for the future. On December 16, the party departed
for Abra to join forces with General Manuel Tinio. The party traveled on foot through a pass at
the summit of Mount Polis, and arrived at Ambayuan the next morning. The party pushed on to
Banane, pursued closely by American forces. At this point, Aguinaldo's party consisted of one
field officer, 11 line officers, and 107 men. The remainder of December 1899 was spent in
continuous trek.
The party was at the border of Abra and Cagayan provinces on Aguinaldo's 31st birthday on
March 23, 1900. The trek from place to place continued until about May 22, 1900, when
Aguinaldo established a new headquarters in Tierra Virgen. On August 27, 1900, after American
forces landed at Aparri, Cagayan, Aguinaldo concluded that Tierra Virgan had become
untenable as a headquarters and decided to march to Palanan, Isabela. On December 6, 1900,
the party reached Dumasari, and arrived in Palanan the following morning. Aguinaldo remained
in Palanan until his capture there by American forces with the aid of the native scouts on March
23, 1901.

OUR COUNTRY AS AN AMERICAN COLONY

The Philippine Territory in American Times

● The island archipelagos of the Marianas, Carolines and Palaus in the South Pacific no
longer belong to the Philippines.
● Mindanao and Sulu became part of the Philippines. Interior mountain regions of Luzon
and Visayas were now included in the Philippine territory.

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American Colonial Policy

Their policy was unique because:

1. They said that they would go as soon as the Filipinos could stand on their own as free
nation.
2. The Americans were kinder and generous than other colonial powers of the same era.
3. The Filipinos adopted American ways very well, we began to talk, eat, drink, dress and
even think like Americans.

American Colonial Government

● Military Government (August 14, 1898 – July 4, 1901) – this government was run by
military generals appointed by the American president. 1. Gen. Wesley Meritt 2. Gen.
Elwell Otis 3. Gen. Arthur MacArthur, the father of Douglas MacArthur, the hero of World
War II.
● Civil Government (July 4, 1901 – August 1902) – run by American civilian officials
appointed by the American president but later run by Filipino officials elected by
Filipinos. 1. The Philippine Commission 2. The American Gov.Gen. together with the
Philippine Assembly or the Philippine Legislature 3. The Commonwealth of the
Philippines.

The Philippine Commission

It is composed of special American advisers to the U.S. president. The first Philippine
Commission came to the Philippines in 1899, led by Dr. Jacob C. Schurman, Cornell University
president – bec. Of the war it did not stay and finish its work. The second Philippine
Commission came in 1900 – 1916, led by Judge William Howard Taft.

American Gov.Gen.
On July 4, 1901, the civil government was inaugurated in the Philippines – William H. Taft
became the first American Gov.Gen.

Filipino Participation in Government

The American shared power with the Filipinos. They appointed Filipinos to important positions in
the government. At first, the Filipinos were only appointed to local governments. As the war
ended in each town or city a Filipino was appointed to head the local government. Later, these
local officials were elected in the free elections. Cayetano Arellano was appointed as Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court. Gregorio Araneta became the first Cabinet Secretary.
The Philippine Assembly President Manuel L. Quezon

On July 30, 1907, the first free national election in the Philippines. The
Philippine Assembly was inaugurated on October 16, 1907, it was the first all
Filipino law making body during the American era. The Commission acted as
the upper house of the Congress, the assembly acted like the lower house.

The Philippine Legislature

Again, national election were held for members of the new Philippine
Legislature. The new legislature was inaugurated on October 16, 1916 at

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Manila. It has two houses the Senate headed by Manuel L. Quezon and the House of
Representatives headed by Sergio Osmena. The American gov.gen.was the power which put
laws into effect, the Filipino Philippine Legislature made laws, the Supreme Court and the lower
courts decided on the disputes about law but there were still limitations like the president and
the American gov. gen. can veto any laws.

ECONOMIC PROGRESS UNDER AMERICA

1. American Economic Policy – the economy
would be developed by Americans for the
benefit of the Filipinos.
2. New Prosperity
a. Population explosion – the Filipino
population increase because people
enjoyed a good life and better health.
b. New Land Policy – 3 ways of improved
land policy 1. Friars land were resold to
Filipino farmers 2. The homestead Act of
1924 allowed all Filipinos to own up 24
hectares of public land. 3. The land has
been registered and the owners got Torrens title.
c. Agriculture Increase – American Congress sent $3million emergency fund to import
rice and carabaos, modern farm tools were introduced, American experts came to
educate Filipinos how to produce more crops, farm pets and market their products.
d. Free Trade with America – the buy and sell were develop, we were introduced to the
Big American markets, free trade agreement which the Filipino products entered the
United States without paying custom tariffs and vice versa.
e. Business Boom – the Filipinos had more money to buy food, shoes clothes and like
to buy more imported goods.
f. New Industries – factories of coconut oil, cigarettes, sugar, rope, hats and mats,
shoes, blankets and towels, rattan and wood furniture.
g. Improvement in Transportation and Communications – Filipinos enjoyed the
automobile, electric street car, airplane, telephone, wireless telegraph, radios and
movies.
h. Better Government Budget – the Philippine colonial government under the
Americans had one of the best budgets in the world.
i. New Banks – Postal Savings Bank and the Philippine National Bank were introduced
– people could deposit and withdraw money in savings account.
j. International Exhibitions and Meetings – the Philippines was projected into the
world’s limelight bec.of its participation in international exhibitions, conferences, and
meetings.

Economic Problems
1. We sold our raw materials cheap and bought expensive manufactured goods from
America.
2. Colonial mentality became worse – we preferred imported goods to those made in the
Philippines it is bad because we forgot to develop our native products.
3. Labor and peasant unrest spread in the 1920s and 1930s, many of them lost their jobs
or accepted less salary.
4. American capitalists and businessman controlled the new companies.

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OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE

1. The Bible and Religion Freedom - the Filipinos were free to choose their religion and
open distribution and reading of the Bible.
2. Training in Democracy – the Americans allowed us to practice democracy, we had free
elections, women voters, political parties, free press and religious freedom.
3. Free Education – education was no longer the privilege for just a few rich families, all
children could study in schools, boys and girls could study together in the schools and
colleges and could enroll in any courses.
4. Better Health – the Filipinos enjoyed better health and hygiene then, the government
built the free Philippine General Hospital in Manila and other hospital in provinces.
5. English Language – the Filipinos learned the English language, the most important
language today.
6. Free Press – many Filipinos started their own newspaper.
7. Diet and Dress – they brought new foods like cornflakes, oat meal, ham and eggs
sandwiches, hamburgers, hotdogs, tomato, catsup, mayonnaise, ice cream and chewing
gum. Filipinos began to wear trousers with belt, polo shirts, and tennis shoes, women’s
hemline were shorter, wear fancy hats, high heeled shoes and put on make - up.
8. Democratic Family Life and Social Classes – the address of po, ate, kuya or kissing the
hands of parents and elders were gone. Instead of good morning, good evening, hi,
young people could now go out without chaperon, we began to celebrate American
holidays like Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Halloween, and Valentines Day.
9. Women’s Rights – they were free to work in an office, study with men, can become
professionals, can vote and hold public office.
10. Recreation – outdoor sports became popular, physical education became part of the
curriculum, listened to radios and went to carnivals.
11. Movies and Vaudeville
12. Music and Dance – the radios and movies helped to spread American songs and dance.
13. Houses – Americans brought new types of houses and constructions. New bungalows,
two story concrete buildings.
14. Art – Filipinos paint rural landscape, and scenes from ordinary life became the new
styles used for souvenirs by the soldiers.
15. Science – the American introduced modern science in the Philippines and trained the
Filipinos to become a good scientists.
16. American Blood
Habits – good habits like frankness, practicality, hardwork, open mindedness and fairness, bad
like materialism, ruthlessness, rudeness, drunkenness and selfishness
Review of Concepts:
The Filipinos did not know that the Americans wanted to make the Philippines a colony. When
the Filipinos united under one leader during the second part of the revolution, they had the help
of a foreign power they were successful. The Filipinos declared their own independence and
made us a colony again. The Filipinos could have captured the city of Manila, but the secret
deal between American and Spaniards cheated the Filipinos of the real victory. The Filipinos
won the revolution against Spain gave the Philippines to the United States. The Filipinos should
be proud that Philippines was the first independent republic in Asia by Asians. Filipinos are
brave people who will fight for their independence even if they lost. The Filipinos lost the Filipino
- American because they were not united and they had inferior weapons. Our Country’s natural
resources and wealth was developed by the United States. They benefited the most from our

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economic development because we were not yet independent. There were tremendous
progress in population, agriculture, trade, business, transportation and communication,
government budget, we got a training in democracy, the widespread use of the Bible and
religious freedom, free education also helped the country, knowledge of the English language
keep kept us up to date, a free press, equal rights for women, and better health and hygiene.

Activity 1: In a matrix form, list down atleast five (5) positive and negative result of American
occupation.

Activity 2: Create a mind map on the Economic Progress of the American Time

SELF-EVALUATION:

1. Give the comparison of the status of the Filipino Women during the Spanish time from
American era in terms of: 5 pts. each
Item Spanish Time American Era

a. Education

b. Politics

c. Job

2. Fill in the table with corresponding contribution of Americans and Spaniards to the
Filipinos in terms of each item: 2 pts. Each
Item American Contribution Spanish Contribution

a. Plants

b. Animals

c. Industries and
Business

d. Customs and
Tradition

e. Words and Language

References:

Zaide and Zaide, Philippine History Roots and Government.

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Canderlaria, J., Alphora V., Readings in Philippine History

Main article: Commonwealth of the Philippines
Docs.google.com
Wikipedia .org.com

POST – TEST:

Multiple Choice. Select the best answer. Encircle the letter of your answer.

1. The Philippine independence was declared on _________.

a. June 12, 1898 b. June 12, 1998 c. June 12, 1988 d. June 12, 1888
2. Philippine Commission: Senate House, _________:House of Representatives
a. Philippine Legislature c. Philippine Assemebly
b. Philippine Congress d. Philippine Arena
3. It is an independence law that provides the Philippines would be independent after 10
years of transition.
a. Hare Hawes Cutting Law c. Tydings McDuffie Law
b. Jones Law d. All of these
4. A general who is known of his promise I shall return.
a. Douglas McArthur c. William Taft
b. Arthur McArthur d. Greg Smith
5. Americans introduced new food like _______.
a. Bread b. Mayonnaise c. All of These
6. Why did the Americans came to the Philippines?
a. Because of new lands c. Because of Treaty of Paris
b. Because of Filipino invitation d. Both b and c
7. The Americans introduce the use of machine and mass production of goods in Manila
like ______.
a. Sugar b. Blankets c. Hat d. Bricks
8. Filipinos learned good American habits like practicality, open minded and _____.
a. Selfishness b. Frankness c. Hardwork d. Rudeness
9. The statement below are reasons why the Filipinod lost the Flipino – American war
except.
a. They were united c. They have no great commanders
b. They have inferior weapons d. All of these
10. The following statement supports the policy of Manifest Destiny.
a. To educate the Filipinos
b. To train for democracy
c. To make them better Christians

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