American Colonization in the Philippines

Today, many people see America to be the land of opportunity and wealth. But
because of the fact that they colonized our country, we can never forget the past. According
to the Asuncion (2015), after its defeat in the Spanish-American War of 1898, Spain ceded
its longstanding colony of the Philippines to the United States in the Treaty of Paris. On
February 4, 1899, just two days before the U.S. Senate ratified the treaty, fighting broke out
between American forces and Filipino nationalists led by Emilio Aguinaldo who sought
independence rather than a change in colonial rulers. The ensuing Philippine-American
War lasted three years and resulted in the death of over 4,200 American and over 20,000
Filipino combatants. As many as 200,000 Filipino civilians died from violence, famine, and
disease. American Colonization really affected the government and education in our
country as well.

According to Hunterfact (2017), there were three kinds of government that were
established by the Americans in the Philippine archipelago during the American period.
These kinds of governments are the Military government, the Civil Government and the
Commonwealth Government. The Military Government is the first government that was
established by the Americans. When they captured the city of Manila in the month of April
year 1898, the Military rule was started. The Military government was established because
of the existence of war. This government had executive, legislative as well as judicial
powers. The highest authority in the land is the Military Governor; the Military Governors
who serve in this government are Gen. Wesley Meritt, Gen. Elwell Otis and Gen. Arthur
McArthur. The second kind of government that was established is the Civil Government.
The former Military Government was ended by the Spooner Amendment; giving the way to
the new Civil Government that was inaugurated in the 4th day of July, year 1901. The
highest authority in this government is the Civil Governor which was later change to the
title of Governor-general on the 6th day of February, year 1905. Judge H. William Taft
became the first Civil-Governor; he was followed by Luke F. Wright who became the first
American to have the title of Philippine Governor-General. Wright was followed by
Governor-General Frank Murphy; Murphy also became the first High Commissioner of the
United States to the Philippines upon the inauguration of the Commonwealth Government.
The third government that was established by the Americans is the Commonwealth
Government in pursuant to the act of the Congress of the United States on the 24th day of
March year 1934; this is also known as the Tydings-McDuffie Law. The Commonwealth
Government serves as a transition government in the preparation for the Philippine
Independence. The Tydings-McDuffie Law provided a transition of about ten years for the
Commonwealth Government to exercise political power until in the 4th day of July year
1946, when the independence of the Philippines would be proclaimed. Meanwhile, in the
15th day of November year 1935, the Philippine Government was inaugurated; the first
national election followed under the constitution of 1935 that was held on the 12th day of
September year 1935. The National Election had made Manuel L. Quezon as the President
of the Philippines. The Commonwealth Government in the Philippines was a republican
form under the presidential type of government. The Commonwealth of the Philippines
was the administrative body that governed the Philippines from 1935 to 1946, aside from a
period of exile in the Second World War from 1942 to 1945 when Japan occupied the
country. It replaced the Insular Government, a United States territorial government, and
was established by the Tydings–McDuffie Act. The Commonwealth was designed as a
transitional administration in preparation for the country's full achievement of
independence.

Education became a very important issue for the American colonial government. It

is allowed it to spread their cultural values particularly the English language to the Filipino
people. Instruction in English language and American history lead to forming of a national
identity and Filipino nationalism. Educational goal during the American period is to
promote democratic ideals and way of life; formation of good citizens, including the rights
and responsibilities of people. America’s greatest achievement in the Philippines was the
introduction of the public school system. According to Bartolome (2016), the public school
system increased the number of Filipinos who knew how to read and write. In 1903, the
literacy rate was 44.2%. This rose to 49.2%. Some Filipinos began to write in English. By
1935, many Filipino writers in English distinguished themselves in poetry, short stories,
and essays. A few wrote dramas and novels. Some of the poems and short stories of Filipino
writers in English were published in the U.S. According to Dela Pena (2016), education Act
of 1901 laid the foundation of the Philippine Public school system. In August 1901, 600
teachers are called “Thomasites” arrived. English was made medium of instruction.
Curricular structure and programs were patterned from the U.S. There were three levels of
education during the American period. The "elementary" level consisted of four primary
years and 3 intermediate years. The "secondary" or high school level consisted of four
years; and the third was the "college" or tertiary level. New subject areas were introduced.
Religion was not included in the curriculum of the schools. Normal, vocational, agricultural,
and business schools were also opened. Schools were also built in non-Catholic areas like
Sulu in Mindanao, and in Mountain Province. Education under American colonization led to
a widespread Americanization of the Philippines. Through education, Americans had
influenced many Filipinos in terms of what they like, eat, culture, and demand on
westernized products and lifestyle.

References:
http://www.thenewstoday.info/2006/08/18/the.government.during.the.american.regime.html
https://independent.academia.edu/lailaniedelapena
https://learning.knoji.com/the-three-kinds-of-government-that-were-established-by-the-americans-in-the-philippines/