CHAPTER 18OUR COUNTRY AS AN

AMERCAN COLONYBy: Ivone Marah D. Abao Ivone Zarah D. Abao

The Philippines was once a part of the United States. This happened when we were an American colony between 1898 and 1946 minus the years of the Filipino-American War (1899-1901) and the Second World War (1942-1945)

But the Americans promised to leave as soon as the Filipinos showed they could run their own government.

PHILIPPINE TERITORY IN AMERICAN TIMES

The territory of the Philippines changed during the American era.

*The island archipelagos of the Marianas, Carolines, and Palau in the South Pacific no longer belonged to the Philippines. Guam was made

by the United States into a separate colony. The other islands in Micronesia were grabbed by Germany and Britain

*Mindanao and Sulu became part of the Philippines. To bring the Mu good relations between American and the Muslim Filipinos

(Moro's)of the Sulu archipelago into American power, General John C. Bates made an agreement with the Sultan of Sulu on August20,

1899. The Bates Treaty was not approved by the American Congress. But it helped to establish good relations between American and the

Muslim Filipinos.

*Interior mountain regions of Luzon and Visayas were now included in the Philippine territory. They were colonized and developed during the American era. The gold mines of the Cordilleras were developed. And the Igorots joined the armed forces of the Philippines as scouts and soldiers. Baguio became the summer capital of the Philippines

AMERICAN COLONIAL POLICY1.The Americans said they would go as soon as the Filipinos could stand on their own as a free nation. From the beginning , American officials did not want to hold on to the Philippines as a colony forever . They promised to train the Filipinos in democracy and self-government. They wanted the Philippines to stand on its own s a free and independent nation and not to be a part of the United States always

2. The Americans were kinder and more generous than other colonial powers of the same era. The Americans shared power with the Filipinos in government. The human rights of Filipinos were protected. The Americans developed the economy improved hygiene and sanitation, and introduced popular education for all.

3.The Filipinos adopted American ways very well. Soon we began to talk, eat, drink ,dress, and even think like Americans. In fact, other Asians thought we acted liked its mother country as much as the Filipinos liked the United States.

AMERICAN COLONIAL GOVERNMENTThe United States was really too far away to rule the Philippines directly.Our country was ruled by the American government in the following ways;

MILITARY GOVERNMENT (August 14,1898-July 4, 1901)

Three Military GeneralsGen.Wesley Merrit,Gen. Arthur McArthur,Gen. Elwell Otis

CIVIL GOVERNMENT (JULY 4,1901-AUGUST 1902)

This government was run by American civilian officials appointed by the American president. But later it was run by Filipino officials elected by the Filipinos.

Two Philippine CommissionThe Philippine Commission- it composed of special

American advisers to the U.S. president. There were two such commissions but the only the second one was really important.

1.The first Philippine Commission came to the Philippines in 1899. I t was led by Dr. Jacob C. Schurman , Cornell University president. Because of the war , it did not stay and finish its work.

2.The Second Philippine Commission came in 1990-1916. It was led by Judge William Howard Taft. The Taft Commission Stayed and organized the civil government in the Philippines.

AMERICAN GOVERNOR GENERAL on July4, 1901- inaugurated in the Philippines. William H. Taft became the first American Governor General.Governor General works- chef executive, he assisted by the cabinet, and he is making sure that the laws were put ito effect.

FILIPINO PARTICIPATION in GOVERNMENT

The Americans appointed Filipinos to important positions in government. This was supposed to train our people in democracy and self-rule. Because we were really ready to run our own government.

The Local Officials Who Elected in Free Elections.In 1901 Cayetano was appointed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.In 1903 Gregorio Araneta became the first Cabinet Secretary of Finance and Justice

PHILIPPINE BILL 1902- The American had to pass laws for the Philippines at that time. Some American Congressmen were not sure that the Filipinos could be trusted. They even called the Filipinos “barbarians "and “savages”.

Philippine Bill 1902 was passed by the Congress. It created the Philippine assembly.

THE PHILIPPINE ASSEMBLY- on July 30, 1907 , the first free national elections were held in the Philippines for members of the all Filipino lawmaking body.-Philippine Assembly was inaugurated on October 16 ,1907 at Manila Grand Opera House. Sergio Osmena of Cebu as elected speaker. -was the first all Filipino lawmaking body during the American era.

THE PHILIPPINE LEGISLATOR

-national elections were held for members of the New Philippine Legislature.

-the new Philippine Legislature was inaugurated at Manila on October 16, 1916. It had two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives . Manuel Roxas as Senate and Sergio Osmena as House Of Representative

-There were separation power among the three branches of government in the colony.

The American governor – general was the power. He put into effect with the help of Cabinet.

The all-Filipino Philippine Legislature made the laws of the colony.

The supreme Court and lower courts decided on disputes about law.

FILIPINO LOYALTY DURING WORLD WAR 1

-When the United States entered First World War in Europe (1914-1918), the Filipinos became their allies.

The loyalty of the Filipinos to the Americans at this time was true.

_We are helpful to the Americans because we knew that we would get our independence at last , and because we were treated well.

Historical Values Our colonial government under the United States teaches us the following lessons.

1. The Filipino cooperated with the Americans because we were treated well as compare to other colonials.

2. During the American regime , the interior mountain regions were developed, the Sulu archipelago became part of the Philippines, and Guam was made a separate colony.

3. The Filipinos were a model for other colonial peoples because we shared power with the Americans in the colonial government. We filled important positions in government, made our own laws , and had a democracy.

4. The Filipinos were a model for other colonial peoples because we shared power with the Americans in the colonial government. We filled important positions in government, made our own laws, and had a democracy.

5. The Americans and the Filipinos began to work together as allies in peace and in war. The Americans were impressed with the Filipino people and their leaders

Ivone Zarah

D. Abao

Ivone Marah

D. Abao

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