Cuban Revolution

◦ Cuba was a colony under Spain

◦ The Cubans were also fighting the Spanish
for their independence
◦ United States, a newly formed country – fresh from its independence from UK – sided with
the Cuban insurgents
◦ The Cubans view it as aid/alliance/ties
◦ US took it as a protection for their economic investments in Cuba

Spanish-American War

◦ On 15 February 1898, the American warship Maine was blown up allegedly by an act of
treachery at Havana harbor, giving the American government an excuse to declare a state of
war against Spain on 25 April 1898. Soon after, the Battle of Manila bay was fought and the
Americans reached the Philippines.

◦ Unfortunately, Spain was overpowered by the Americans

◦ May 19, 1898

◦ Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, upon the persuasion of American Consul E.
Spencer Pratt and with the advice of the Hong Kong Junta, returned to the Philippines
and immediately issued a proclamation urging Filipinos to once again rally for the
cause of the motherland

◦ The support of the Filipinos on his call was overwhelming and was followed
with sweeping victories.

◦ While Manila was surrounded by the Filipinos by June 1898, the American and
Spanish authorities engaged in secret negotiations
paving way for a mock battle on 13 August 1898 and eventually a surrender that
would deprive the Filipinos a taste of victory

THE ACT OF DECLARATION OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE

• Patterned after the American declaration of independence

– But it was not recognized by Spain nor America

TREATY OF PARIS

• December 10, 1898

• Spanish-AmericanWar
• Spain:
– Relinquish Cuba and cede
Puerto Rico and one of the
Mariana Islands to the US
– Philippines: to be held by US until its
disposition is determined
• $20 million dollars for the Philippines
PHILIPPINE FLAG
• General Aguinaldo explained the symbolism of the Filipino flag. Each of the three colors
has an
appropriate meaning:
a. the lower red stripe represents patriotism and valor
b. the upper blue stripe signifies peace, truth and justice
c. the white triangle stands for equality

• The three stars indicate the three geographical areas of Luzon,Visayas and Mindanao.

• The eight rays of the sun refer to first eight provinces of Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva
Ecija, Bataan, Laguna, Batangas and Cavite which took up arms against Spain and were
placed under martial law by the Spaniards at the start of the Philippine Revolution in 1896