The Philippines By Michael Bianco, Max Bedrosian, Andrew Schonberg, and Brian Schupack

How Did the US Get Involved? The US got involved when, in 1898, they defeated Spain (original owner of Philippines) The US got involved when, in 1898, they defeated Spain (original owner of Philippines) The US then inherited the Philippines from Spain as part of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 The US then inherited the Philippines from Spain as part of the Treaty of Paris of 1898 The US promised the country would someday be independent, but Filipinos were “not yet ready” The US promised the country would someday be independent, but Filipinos were “not yet ready”

What Were the US Motives? US secretly wanted the Philippines as a gateway to Asia US secretly wanted the Philippines as a gateway to Asia Philippines could be used as a valuable port to help open up business relations in China, Japan, etc. Philippines could be used as a valuable port to help open up business relations in China, Japan, etc. Asia could be used in order to sell excess American goods Asia could be used in order to sell excess American goods Also could be used as a naval base to further strengthen American presence (in Asia) Also could be used as a naval base to further strengthen American presence (in Asia)

How Did They Justify Their Actions? US government justified its actions based on Filipinos being uneducated US government justified its actions based on Filipinos being uneducated US Gov. claimed them unfit to run their own country US Gov. claimed them unfit to run their own country McKinley wanted to make them Catholic (even though Filipinos already were) McKinley wanted to make them Catholic (even though Filipinos already were)

Reaction of Local Population Filipinos were at first relieved to be out of Spanish control Filipinos were at first relieved to be out of Spanish control They knew they were still being used They knew they were still being used They still wanted freedom and ability to govern themselves They still wanted freedom and ability to govern themselves

Reaction of Local Population cont. Philippine-American War Philippine-American War Began on February 4, 1899; ended July 4, 1902 Began on February 4, 1899; ended July 4, 1902 Rebellion led by Emilio Aguinaldo Rebellion led by Emilio Aguinaldo U.S. used brutal tactics (like concentration camps) U.S. used brutal tactics (like concentration camps) Many civilians died in the conflict Many civilians died in the conflict US eventually won US eventually won

The Final Result US continued control over islands US continued control over islands Commonwealth status was granted in 1935 Commonwealth status was granted in 1935 Became fully independent on July 4, 1946 Became fully independent on July 4, 1946 It took almost 50 years to become fully independent It took almost 50 years to become fully independent

Super Man or Mafia Don? Mafia Don Mafia Don US used force against Filipinos to make them annex into US US used force against Filipinos to make them annex into US Annexation would benefit US more than Philippines Annexation would benefit US more than Philippines Because Philippines would help US with trade relations in Asia Because Philippines would help US with trade relations in Asia Also would help establish naval superiority in the area Also would help establish naval superiority in the area

Were US Actions Beneficial No No Philippines were still under control by foreign power Philippines were still under control by foreign power Filipinos still unhappy with foreign power (Philippine-American War) Filipinos still unhappy with foreign power (Philippine-American War) Still being used economically (naval base, gateway to Asia) Still being used economically (naval base, gateway to Asia)

Philippines in Relation to US

Works Cited world-factbook/geos/rp.html world-factbook/geos/rp.html world-factbook/geos/rp.html world-factbook/geos/rp.html