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The Philippines
Strategically located, the Philippine Islands have been one of the keys to American policy in the Pacific. But this loose island chain has a better history, vacillating between oppression and rebellion. America's military installations here ensure that she will be caught in any Filipino conflict.
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First published March 27, 2006
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About the author
Joseph Stromberg
37 books3 followersJoseph Stromberg is a research fellow at the Independent Institute and has held the JoAnn B. Rothbard chair in history at the Ludwig von Mises Institute. He received his BA and MA from Florida Atlantic University, and his further graduate work was completed at the University of Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 23, 2017
I obtained access to this book via EBSCO Host, I'm going to spend the next two years in the Philippines and wanted to learn more about America's interaction with it. This book did not disappoint, although it was published in 1991. It is a good summary of the cultural and legal history of Philippine colonialism under the Spanish and Americans. I was fascinated by the Senate debates over proper and Constitutional jurisdiction of American power over the Philippines after the Spanish-American War. Some Americans had a guilty conscience over their nations' treatment of Filipinos, and the reinterpretation of the Constitution required to colonize it, and given recent events in Puerto Rico, I'm not sure that same conscience exists in 2017.
Pre-colonial Filipino culture centered around the Berangai, or village, consisting of 30-100 houses. Spanish rule over the islands fulfilled Spanish goals. Catholic Friars formed the bureaucracy as an arm of the Spanish colonial government. These clergymen spoke and wrote letters for the Filipino's rights but they also had a duty to run the empire's colony. There was much discontent about corruption, and as Filipinos began to take opportunities to study abroad in the 1800s, they learned about democracy and the rights of man. They brought these ideas back to the Philippines and an indendependence movement began to take root. In 1872, there was a revolt over taxes. Jose Rizal was a novelist whose writings inspired independence fighters. He was executed in 1896 despite supposedly never wanting revolution himself. (His works are now required reading in Philippine school curriculum.)
Meanwhile, America was growing and believing in Manifest Destiny. President McKinley pushed the "open door" policy to Asia, with a focus on China, and trade expansion was an outgrowth of mercantilism. The author quotes the Foreign Mission Board as saying "American imperialism is for Republicanism," exporting liberty and democracy was seen as hand-in-hand with exporting American products. The Philippines were attractive to America because of its harbors, making it an ideal refueling point for the navy near China. Teddy Roosevelt, not yet of Rough Rider fame, sent a cable about planning an invasion of Manila in the event of a war with Spain. After the USS Maine exploded, McKinlsey went to war and the Philippines were one of several targets. Unlike Cuba, there was no justification of "freedom for the Cuban people" in the Philippines.
Initially, Filipino rebels who had long sought independence from Spain and been actively fighting since 1898, saw the US as liberators. US consulates in other countries met with dissident Filipino exiles. Admiral Dewey destroyed Spain's Manila fleet and American commanders used Filipino rebels to their advantage. On June 12, 1898 General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Philippines independent of Spain's rule and put forth a Declaration of Independence that echoed that of Thomas Jefferson. But Secretary of State John Hay made no promises as the US pushed Spain for a full cession. Eventually, the US would pay $20 million to Spain for their cession of the Philippines to America. On December 12, 1898, America began to annex the Philippines while the Philippines were forming their own government.
General Aguinaldo soon found himself fighting Americans. A controversial event where some Filipinos confronted American troops led to Filipinos being shot, and claims of both sides committing atrocities. The author records some racist sentiment among American soldiers and American yellow journalism back home. The US Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris by two votes. I found the debates on the Senate floor over whether American Republicanism and the Spirit of 1776 could coincide with an American colonial empire. The American Civil War was used as context and proof that "government does not depend upon consent of the governed." No American politician wanted a new US state in the Pacific, although some cynically argued on the Senate floor that Filipinos should be given statehood so they could vote, thus becoming a large and important state that could swing elections. Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution, and all rights enumerated therein, did not apply fully to the new American colonies.
An estimated 5,000 Americans and 250,000 Filipinos died in the struggle for Phillipine independence. "We are not dealing with a civilized people..." justified many controversial actions by Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing in the Moro War. After three years of war, Aguinaldo finally capitulated in 1901. William Howard Taft became the first Governor of the Philippines. America bought the Spanish Catholic Church lands and helped the Philippines establish its own civil society. Eventual independence for the Philippines was considered, but not before the Philippines were made economically dependent upon the US. The Jones Act of 1916 established the constitution of the Philippines, set up the Philippine government's bicameral legislature, and created a pathway to eventual autonomy. The Jones Act would be the law of the land until the 1934 Tydings-McDuffie Act established a 10-year transition to independent, democratic rule. Manuel Quezon, President of the Senate of the Philippines, personally lobbied the US Congress for its passage.
The author describes the Philippine system as "political capitalism," where the "hasenderos," or major landlords, got large swathes of property. There were crony capitalistic deals with Del Monte and others. The fruits of free trade with America went largely to the elite. This problem still plagues the modern Philippines, as capital is concentrated in the hands of known families. Quezon was particularly known for his harsh politics and score-settling.
By 1931, Japan had become a military force threatening China and the rest of Asia. Manuel Quezon wanted early independence for the Philippines in order to declare neutrality in the hopes that the Japanese would not invade. Otherwise, he knew American war with Japan would see the Philippines in the costly middle of the conflict. Manuel believed that the Philippines could not be successfully defended against a Japanese invasion. In 1942, Gen. MacArthur seemed to prove this point with his "strategic abandonment" of the Philippines. Indeed, the Japanese exacted a harsh rule in the Philippines. There were 18 million Filipinos in 1942, and 180,000 guerilla fighters against the Japanese among them. Monuments exist today of the heroic sacrifices of Filipino and American soldiers in liberating the Philippines from Japan by 1945.
In the wake of WWII, Philippine nationalism ran high, along with desires for political and economic reforms. The Philippines gained independence in 1946. The US was given a 99 year lease on its military bases, and free trade existed for five years. Quezon, Roxas, and Quirino were early Presidents. Quirino inherited the Presidency after the death of Roxas and dealt with "Hukbalahap" rebels, an impeachment attempt, and other issues before being re-elected in 1949. The author details the lineage of Philippine politics in this time.
During the Cold War, the US feared the Chinese minority in the Philippines (and other nations) would act as potential underminers of American-supported democracy. While these fears were unfounded, the Chinese diaspora in SE Asia would indeed be a remarkable economic force for the 20th century. In the Philippines, the crony capitalism led to stagnant growth relative to other places in Asia, like Hong Kong and Japan. The author details the rise of Ferdinand Marcos and his many scandals. Marcos was apparently hated by Lyndon Johnson, but was somewhat of a rock star to the American public. This reminded me a bit of the Shah of Iran during the same period. Aquino and other rivals to Marcos' political power were arrested or exiled. Aquino returned from exile to run for office in 1984 and was promptly assassinated allegedly at the bidding of Imelda Marcos. Since the book ends with the 1980s, the reader is left hanging to know how it all turns out.
In all, I enjoyed this book and learned a great deal about America's relationship with the Philippines. It is a great help to anyone who wants to live and work there. 4 stars out of 5.
Pre-colonial Filipino culture centered around the Berangai, or village, consisting of 30-100 houses. Spanish rule over the islands fulfilled Spanish goals. Catholic Friars formed the bureaucracy as an arm of the Spanish colonial government. These clergymen spoke and wrote letters for the Filipino's rights but they also had a duty to run the empire's colony. There was much discontent about corruption, and as Filipinos began to take opportunities to study abroad in the 1800s, they learned about democracy and the rights of man. They brought these ideas back to the Philippines and an indendependence movement began to take root. In 1872, there was a revolt over taxes. Jose Rizal was a novelist whose writings inspired independence fighters. He was executed in 1896 despite supposedly never wanting revolution himself. (His works are now required reading in Philippine school curriculum.)
Meanwhile, America was growing and believing in Manifest Destiny. President McKinley pushed the "open door" policy to Asia, with a focus on China, and trade expansion was an outgrowth of mercantilism. The author quotes the Foreign Mission Board as saying "American imperialism is for Republicanism," exporting liberty and democracy was seen as hand-in-hand with exporting American products. The Philippines were attractive to America because of its harbors, making it an ideal refueling point for the navy near China. Teddy Roosevelt, not yet of Rough Rider fame, sent a cable about planning an invasion of Manila in the event of a war with Spain. After the USS Maine exploded, McKinlsey went to war and the Philippines were one of several targets. Unlike Cuba, there was no justification of "freedom for the Cuban people" in the Philippines.
Initially, Filipino rebels who had long sought independence from Spain and been actively fighting since 1898, saw the US as liberators. US consulates in other countries met with dissident Filipino exiles. Admiral Dewey destroyed Spain's Manila fleet and American commanders used Filipino rebels to their advantage. On June 12, 1898 General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Philippines independent of Spain's rule and put forth a Declaration of Independence that echoed that of Thomas Jefferson. But Secretary of State John Hay made no promises as the US pushed Spain for a full cession. Eventually, the US would pay $20 million to Spain for their cession of the Philippines to America. On December 12, 1898, America began to annex the Philippines while the Philippines were forming their own government.
General Aguinaldo soon found himself fighting Americans. A controversial event where some Filipinos confronted American troops led to Filipinos being shot, and claims of both sides committing atrocities. The author records some racist sentiment among American soldiers and American yellow journalism back home. The US Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris by two votes. I found the debates on the Senate floor over whether American Republicanism and the Spirit of 1776 could coincide with an American colonial empire. The American Civil War was used as context and proof that "government does not depend upon consent of the governed." No American politician wanted a new US state in the Pacific, although some cynically argued on the Senate floor that Filipinos should be given statehood so they could vote, thus becoming a large and important state that could swing elections. Eventually, the Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution, and all rights enumerated therein, did not apply fully to the new American colonies.
An estimated 5,000 Americans and 250,000 Filipinos died in the struggle for Phillipine independence. "We are not dealing with a civilized people..." justified many controversial actions by Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing in the Moro War. After three years of war, Aguinaldo finally capitulated in 1901. William Howard Taft became the first Governor of the Philippines. America bought the Spanish Catholic Church lands and helped the Philippines establish its own civil society. Eventual independence for the Philippines was considered, but not before the Philippines were made economically dependent upon the US. The Jones Act of 1916 established the constitution of the Philippines, set up the Philippine government's bicameral legislature, and created a pathway to eventual autonomy. The Jones Act would be the law of the land until the 1934 Tydings-McDuffie Act established a 10-year transition to independent, democratic rule. Manuel Quezon, President of the Senate of the Philippines, personally lobbied the US Congress for its passage.
The author describes the Philippine system as "political capitalism," where the "hasenderos," or major landlords, got large swathes of property. There were crony capitalistic deals with Del Monte and others. The fruits of free trade with America went largely to the elite. This problem still plagues the modern Philippines, as capital is concentrated in the hands of known families. Quezon was particularly known for his harsh politics and score-settling.
By 1931, Japan had become a military force threatening China and the rest of Asia. Manuel Quezon wanted early independence for the Philippines in order to declare neutrality in the hopes that the Japanese would not invade. Otherwise, he knew American war with Japan would see the Philippines in the costly middle of the conflict. Manuel believed that the Philippines could not be successfully defended against a Japanese invasion. In 1942, Gen. MacArthur seemed to prove this point with his "strategic abandonment" of the Philippines. Indeed, the Japanese exacted a harsh rule in the Philippines. There were 18 million Filipinos in 1942, and 180,000 guerilla fighters against the Japanese among them. Monuments exist today of the heroic sacrifices of Filipino and American soldiers in liberating the Philippines from Japan by 1945.
In the wake of WWII, Philippine nationalism ran high, along with desires for political and economic reforms. The Philippines gained independence in 1946. The US was given a 99 year lease on its military bases, and free trade existed for five years. Quezon, Roxas, and Quirino were early Presidents. Quirino inherited the Presidency after the death of Roxas and dealt with "Hukbalahap" rebels, an impeachment attempt, and other issues before being re-elected in 1949. The author details the lineage of Philippine politics in this time.
During the Cold War, the US feared the Chinese minority in the Philippines (and other nations) would act as potential underminers of American-supported democracy. While these fears were unfounded, the Chinese diaspora in SE Asia would indeed be a remarkable economic force for the 20th century. In the Philippines, the crony capitalism led to stagnant growth relative to other places in Asia, like Hong Kong and Japan. The author details the rise of Ferdinand Marcos and his many scandals. Marcos was apparently hated by Lyndon Johnson, but was somewhat of a rock star to the American public. This reminded me a bit of the Shah of Iran during the same period. Aquino and other rivals to Marcos' political power were arrested or exiled. Aquino returned from exile to run for office in 1984 and was promptly assassinated allegedly at the bidding of Imelda Marcos. Since the book ends with the 1980s, the reader is left hanging to know how it all turns out.
In all, I enjoyed this book and learned a great deal about America's relationship with the Philippines. It is a great help to anyone who wants to live and work there. 4 stars out of 5.
October 18, 2021
Filled with tons of interesting information. I have spent time all over the Philippine islands and have a few stories of my own, people have encouraged me to write. It’s amazing how open and “liberal” in their thinking the people are. Many soldiers fly or at least used to fly in to have sex with the very young girls and boys as many at a time as you choose and of course all for money. The kids have been turned to the clubs to pay off family debt and other situations. Perhaps the ideas that you must be 18 or even 16 to work are absolutely ridiculous, to have licenses for everything is absurd but again wisdom comes with travel. They have beautiful people at least the young and it’s wonderful to walk and see the food being swept up or take a bus which is not what you imagine in the “civilized… advanced” world and see the water buffalo and wild animals and it’s not but a minute until you are immediately in the deep jungle. Now that the military has supposedly left Manila things are quite different. I encourage everyone to search making handguns by hand in the Philippines. They are an ingenuitive people which is typical necessity is the mother of inventions. Of course because of the world situation we said we were Canadian. Like always Read More!
October 24, 2021
Very factual but definitely superficial
January 6, 2021
This gives a good overview of the Philippines from their beginnings through World war 2 and their fight for independence. The Filipino people were used by every country that claimed the Philippines, from Spain, England , and even the Americans.
They helped America in the fight against the Spanish and then again against Japan, saving many American lives, but betrayed they soon used guerilla warfare to their advantage, even Douglas MacArthur was on the side of the Filipino's as were democrats yet republicans and their greed fought independent governorship.
This book gave a good history and of the brave leaders of the movement, it showed the resilience, and the optimistic Filipino attitude, their love and desire of education and seeking to create their own prosperity, but it also shows that instead of capitalism by work and good fortune, the economy and positions were often from greed and corruption, a trait that still lingers today.
Yet there are no more welcoming people anywhere.
They helped America in the fight against the Spanish and then again against Japan, saving many American lives, but betrayed they soon used guerilla warfare to their advantage, even Douglas MacArthur was on the side of the Filipino's as were democrats yet republicans and their greed fought independent governorship.
This book gave a good history and of the brave leaders of the movement, it showed the resilience, and the optimistic Filipino attitude, their love and desire of education and seeking to create their own prosperity, but it also shows that instead of capitalism by work and good fortune, the economy and positions were often from greed and corruption, a trait that still lingers today.
Yet there are no more welcoming people anywhere.
December 28, 2016
Quick overview of the shaping of the Philippines. Looks at how Spain and America became a large part of the fabric of Filipino history.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews