Independence of Philippines

Independence document of Philippines

  In 1899, Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence of Philippines. However, Spain and US didn't care about his declaration of independence. Aguinaldo continued guerrilla resistance against both Spain and US until 1901 when he was captured by US Army. The true independence starts from US passing a bill to ensure Philippines' autonomy in 1934 (A). The law was named Tydings-McDuffie Independence law. This law instituted commonwealth government and led further stipulated complete independence in 1944 (E). 

  

  As World War II occurred, Japan invaded Philippines as a result of it. In 1942, Japan successfully possessed the whole parts of Philippines. However, US general Douglas Mac Arthur recaptured Philippines in 1945. Due to the end of World War II, US finally recognized Philippines' independence in July 4, 1946 in the Treaty of Manila (C).

Fight for the Independence against Spanish

Leaders of Revolutionary

Flag of Kapitunan

  The fight for the independence of Philippines starts from Philippine revolution(1896~1898). Spain was controlling Philippines for more than 300 years when the revolution first occurred (C).In the 19th century, the middle class of Philippines started to feel importance of the independence. As a consequence of this importance, the martyrdom of three Filipino priests - Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez, and Jacinto Zamora started the anti-Spanish sentiment.
  In 1892, under the leader Andres Bonificio (a self-educated warehouse clergy), Philippines revolutionaries formed The Katipunan. The Katipunan was an organized secreted revolutionary society with 100,000 members by Aug 1896 (B). In 1897, Emilio Aguinaldo and Kapitunan fought against Spanish army in Manila but failed in defeating them. Also, his troops were pushed back into the mountains southeast of Manila. However, Aguinaldo exiled Hong Kong for 400,000 pesos and the pact of Biak-na-Bato was proclaimed in Dec 15,1897. Moreover, he gets promise from Spain about the substantial government reform (A). 
  Finally, Spain's rule in the Philippines came to a close in 1898 but US started to control Philippines from then. Emilio Aguinaldo began new revolution against US but US Army captured him in 1901 and the revolution came to the end (B).

Revolutionary congress of 1898

Colonial experience

  Philippines was a colony of Spain and US for over 300 years. Spain was the first country to colonize Philippines. Spainish people administered Philippines as a province of New Spain and used their products for Spain monopoly trade. Galleons from Spain shipped oriental goods from Philippines to Manila and other countries (A). Spanish governed the Philippines until the end of 19th century. In 19th century, Spain's rule was threatened by many other countries such as China, Dutch and England. Moreover, Chinese and Filipinos revolted against Spanish in 1820s. Due to these reasons, Spain opened Philippines' port to world which made them to export sugar, coconuts and other oriental goods (D). However, Spain lost in Spanish-American war in 1898 and lost their important colony, Philippines (E).

Spanish Galleon

  After Philippines became independent from Spain, they were ruled again by US. US wanted to make Philippines as a supplier country to help US. They wanted raw materials from Philippines' land and expected Filipino to become a buyer of finished goods from US (A). From 1898 to 1946, US ruled Philippines for their own profit and made Filipinos to supply them for World war II (E).

  

Initial conquest

  Philippines suffered from bloody continuous conquest from Spain, US, and Japan. Philippines was first discovered on March 15, 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese navigator, while sailing to Spain (A). He tried convert Filipinos to Christianity and take control of their area. Magellan thought that fighting against the natives will be easy, however, Lapu Lapu who was the chief of the Mactans in the island proved him wrong. The Mactans recognized Magellan and immediately killed him leaving his men to surrender (C). 

  Even though Lapu Lapu first resisted foreign colonist, Spain returned for the conquest of the Philippines. With the force by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, they were able to conquer Philippines (C). Philippines had no special attractions or effective trade goods that would attract Spain. Although Philippines did not have much attraction, it was the only island that could be the stopping point in the middle of Atlantic Ocean. Spain's initial conquest of Philippines led Filipinos to convert to Christianity and adapt more developed Spanish culture. Slowly along with their conquest, the Mestizo culture emerged to the Philippine society. Also, churches of Christianity did not tolerate any old practices to Philippine which led Spanish culture to become more dominant (E).