American colonialism:

1901-1946
RATIONALE OF AMERICAN
EXPANSIONISM

The following reasons were given by the

Americans on why did they colonize the
Philippines.
 Pacification techniques
• The Americans adopted various
pacification techniques to end Filipino
resistance which continued in spite of
Aguinaldo’s capture in 1901:
– The Sedition Law (1901) made any advocacy
for Philippine independence a crime
punishable by long imprisonment or death.
The law also punished by long imprisonment
and a fine any person who would “utter
seditious words, or speeches, write, publish or
circulate scurrilous libels.”
– The Brigandage Act (1902) classified guerilla
fighters as brigands or ladrones and made
membership in an armed group punishable by
death or long imprisonment.
– The Reconcentration Act (1903) forced
residents of towns infested with bandits and
brigands to live in designated military zones.
The purpose of this act was to prevent people
from giving aid and support to rebels.
– The Flag Law (1907) prohibited the display of
all flags, banners, symbols and other
paraphernalia to suppress nationalistic
feelings.
 – Uncompromising Filipino nationalists, the
“Irreconciliables”, like Mabini, Ricarte, and
others were deported.
– Political parties which advocated
independence were banned.
• The establishment of the public
educational system with English as the
medium of instruction was one of the best
ways of pacification.
– It was aimed at making the Filipinos “little
brown Americans.”
– Military leaders saw education as a means of
ending resistance of the people.
– Educating the Filipinos with American values and
culture developed pro-American sentiments.
– With American education, the Filipinos forgot their
roots and their nationalistic goals.

q The American army conducted military campaigns

against the natives.
§ Brigadier General Jacob Smith ordered that Samar be
turned into a “howling wilderness.” This was the
result of the Balangiga incident.
§ Gen. Franklin Bell, campaigning in Batangas, ordered
the burning of towns near areas of guerrilla
operations. The town of Barotac Viejo in Iloilo was
razed to the grounds.
– The occupation army also committed
abuses and atrocities. Filipinos suspected
of being rebels were subjected to water
cure and other forms of torture.

q The Americans also suppressed

nationalistic journalism and literature.
Publication such as El Nuevo Dia and El
Renacimiento were subjected to
censorship.
 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FILIPINO
AND AMERICAN LEADERSHIP
A. COLLABORATION AND COMPROMISE
§ It should be noted that some of the elite or
ilustrados joined the revolution only when
they saw the possibility of success. Their
participation was also characterized by
their willingness to compromise with
colonialism, especially to insure their
interests. Many ilustrados who were
prominent in the Aguinaldo government
not only collaborated with the Americans
but they also welcomed American rule.
§ In November 1898, the Negros elite
organized themselves into a
provisional government which was
against the Aguinaldo government.
They thought that the action would
be recognized by Americans as a sign
of loyalty. The elite believed that the
island should be under American
control.