The American Occupation

1898-1946
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1.Discuss the Filipino-American War.

2. Explain the American occupation and contributions in the Philippines.
BENEVOLENT ASSIMILATION
Benevolent assimilation refers to a policy of the United States
towards the Philippines as described in a proclamation by U.S.
President William McKinley issued in a memorandum to the
U.S. Secretary of War on December 21, 1898, following the
signing of the treaty which ended the Spanish-American War. It
stated that future control, disposition, and government of the
Philippine islands had been ceded to the United States and
that U.S. military government was to be extended over be to
the whole of the ceded territory.
PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN WAR
One gunshot from an American soldier (Pvt.
William Grayson) triggered the Philippine-
American War on February 4, 1899 in Sta>mesa
Manila, as Filipino forces were put on the
defensive.

The war was waged for more than two years until
the eventual American capture of Pres. Emilio
Aguinaldo at Palanan, Isabela in 1901.
Act No. 518 (Brigandage Act/Bandolerismo Statute )
On November 12, 1902, after the defeat of the First
Philippine Republic in the Philippine-American War, the
US-formed Philippine Commission passed Act No. 518
(Brigandage Act), branding all remnant resistance forces
against the Americans as bandits.

The law conflated all common highwaymen, thieves, and

Filipino nationalist resistance fighters as bandits, in an
effort to demonize the remnant Filipino forces. Those who
were caught would suffer either imprisonment (up to 20
years), or a death sentence.

Macario Sakay, a Filipino general who assumed control of

the remaining Filipino forces, continued his resistance
against US authority, and declared a Tagalog Republic in
1902.

Sakay surrendered on July 14, 1906. However, he was

still arrested, tried under the Bandolerismo Statue, found
guilty, and sentenced to death by hanging.
SEDITION LAW

• SEDITION LAW
The Americans also passed laws to
discourage the people to pursue their
struggle for independence in whatever
form of advocacy. This Law which
was passed on November 4, 1901
imposing death penalty, long prison
term or sky high fine for those who
would dare write, speak or fight for
independence.
The official language of the Philippines became English

• On January 1, 1906, by virtue of Philippine

Commission Act No. 1123, the official
language of the Philippines became
English. It was used in court proceedings
and no person was eligible for government
service who did not know the language.

• Reference: The Philippines, John Foreman,

Filipiniana Book Guild, Manila, 1980
 The Flag Law of 1907

the Flag Law of 1907 ,

which outlawed the display of
the Philippine flag and
replaced the country’s flag to
the stars and stripes of the
United States of America.
The same law prohibited the
playing of the national
anthem.
ABOLITION OF FLAG LAW OF 1907
• Jones Law of 1916
-It was a framework for a "more autonomous
government", with certain privileges reserved to the
United States to protect its sovereign rights and interests,
in preparation for the grant of independence by the
United States. The law provides that the grant of
independence would come only "as soon as a stable
government can be established", which was to be
determined by the United States Government itself.
• OSROX Mission (1931)
-It was a campaign for self-government and United States
recognition of the independence of the Philippines led by former
Senate President Sergio Osmeña and House Speaker Manuel
Roxas. The mission secured the Hare–Hawes–Cutting Act, which
was rejected by the Philippine Legislature and Manuel Quezon. -
To close America’s door to Filipino duty free exports and laborers
that were competing with American dairy farm products and labor.
• Tydings-McDuffie Law
- the law enacted by the US Congress
on March 24, 1934 which provided for
a transition period of 10 years during
which the Philippine Commonwealth
would operate.
• 1935 Constitution
-It was one of the noblest documents
written by Filipinos. -It embodied the
ideals of liberty and democracy which
Filipinos had aspired for.
 Andrew Carnegie

To counter what he perceived as American imperialism,

Carnegie personally offered $20 million to the Philippines
so that the Filipino people could purchase their
independence from the United States.
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S INFLUENCE ON FILIPINO
CULTURE
• Religious Freedom • English

When the United States took over the Philippines, the people began to be free to join
whatever religion they wanted. (During the Spanish rule, the Catholic church was During this time, English began to be taught in the schools, and this is the
established as the national religion and was strongly enforced). Because of this new found language that the teachers would use. Even today, most Filipinos can’t help
religious freedom, there began to be many different churches besides Catholicism. Today, but mix in English words when they speak. “Taglish” has literally become
it’s remarkable to see just how many different Christian churches there are in the Philippines part of the culture. In fact, English is now the 2nd national language. Lots of
– this religious diversity has become a big part of the culture.
English words have made their way into the Tagalog language. Often they
are pronounced the same, but the dictionary spelling is Filipino-ized. Here
• Free Education
are a few fun examples:
Americans introduced the idea of free education to the Philippine islands. The United States
even sent teachers to help establish schools where the Filipino children could have a free Cake = Keyk
education. A large group of these teachers were called “Thomasites,” named after the boat Cookie = Kukis
that they came on, called Thomas.
Biscuit = Biskwit
Ballpen= Bolpen
Interview = Interbyu
Computer = Kompyuter
X-ray = Eksrey

Reference: http://lifey.org/americas-influence-in-the-philippines/
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S INFLUENCE ON FILIPINO
CULTURE
Clothing

Here are a few types of clothing that America

introduced to the Filipino culture:

• Belts
• Suspenders
• Polo shirts
• Tennis shoes
• Short skirts/dresses
• Bonnets/hats
• High heels
• Pantyhose
• Make-up

Reference: http://lifey.org/americas-influence-in-the-philippines/
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'S INFLUENCE ON FILIPINO
CULTURE
Here is a list of some of the food that Americans Some American restaurants that have
introduced to the Philippines that have been widely
become very popular in the Philippines are:
adopted into their lifestyle:

• Hamburgers • McDonald’s
• Sandwiches • KFC
• Oatmeal
• Dunkin Donuts
• Ketchup
• Chewing gum
• Apple pie Other American influences:
• Mayonnaise • Jeepneys, Swing Dance, Democracy, etc.
• Hot dogs
• Steak
• Ice cream
• Corn flakes
• And more. . .
Reference: http://lifey.org/americas-
influence-in-the-philippines/