William H. Taft’s tenure as the first Civil Governor of the Philippines, from 1901 to 1903, marked a critical juncture in the history of both the Philippines and the United States. This period saw the transition from a harsh military occupation, amidst the ongoing Philippine-American War, to the establishment of a civilian administration guided by…
Tag: Philippine-American War
The Philippine Scouts: Filipinos Serving in the US Army During the American Colonial Era
Introduction The story of the Philippine Scouts is a unique and often overlooked chapter in both Philippine and American military history. Formed at the turn of the 20th century, the Philippine Scouts were a distinct military unit composed primarily of Filipinos serving within the United States Army during the American colonial period in the Philippines (roughly 1898-1946). Their existence…
Putting Benevolent Assimilation into Practice: William H. Taft’s Governorship in the Philippines (1901-1903)
The period following the Spanish-American War marked a dramatic turning point in Philippine history, ushering in a new colonial power: the United States. While the initial phase was dominated by military conflict during the Philippine-American War, a crucial transition occurred with the establishment of a civil government. At the helm of this new administration was…
Criminalizing Patriotism: The Philippine Sedition Law of 1901
The transition from Spanish to American rule in the Philippines was a period marked by conflict, resistance, and fundamental shifts in political control and legal frameworks. As the Philippine-American War raged and the United States sought to establish its sovereignty, one legal instrument stood out as particularly contentious and impactful: the Philippine Sedition Law of…
American Propaganda and the ‘Bandit’ Label: Suppressing Philippine Resistance (1899-1913)
Introduction Understanding the narrative framing of historical conflicts is crucial, especially when examining periods of conquest and resistance. The Philippine-American War (1899-1902) and the subsequent suppression campaigns were one such period where the dominant power, the United States, actively shaped public perception through calculated communication strategies. At the heart of this effort was the use…
Papa Isio and the Religious Resistance in Negros: A Philippine Peasant Uprising
Introduction The narrative of Philippine resistance against colonial powers is rich and multifaceted, extending far beyond the well-known Katipunan-led revolution. Among the most compelling examples of regional dissent is the movement led by Dionisio Seguela, famously known as Papa Isio and the Religious Resistance in Negros. This uprising, primarily centered on the island of Negros…
Filipino Resistance After Aguinaldo: The Fight Against American Rule (1901-1911)
Introduction The narrative of the Philippine-American War often centers on the initial, large-scale conflict and the leadership of Emilio Aguinaldo. His capture in March 1901 is frequently presented as the decisive turning point, signaling the effective end of organized Filipino resistance against American forces. However, this perspective is incomplete and overlooks a crucial decade of…
Philippine History: Life Under American Rule (1901-1911)
The decade between 1901 and 1911 represents a pivotal, often complex, period in Philippine History 1901-1911. Following the dramatic capture of General Emilio Aguinaldo in March 1901, the organized armed resistance against the invading American forces significantly weakened, paving the way for the United States to consolidate its control and transition from military occupation to…
Emilio Aguinaldo’s Long Retirement: Life and Legacy After 1901
Emilio Aguinaldo, a pivotal figure in Philippine history, is primarily remembered as the leader of the Philippine Revolution against Spain and the first President of the short-lived First Philippine Republic. His presidency, however, was cut short by the outbreak of the Philippine-American War. Following his capture by American forces in 1901, Aguinaldo entered a period…
Economic Transformation: Industries and Agriculture in American Colonial Philippines
The arrival of the United States in the Philippines at the turn of the 20th century marked not just a political shift but the beginning of a profound economic transformation that reshaped the archipelago’s landscape. Following the Spanish-American War and the subsequent, bloody Philippine-American War, the US established colonial rule, ushering in an era defined…