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A Decade of American Government in the Philippines

A Chapter on History of the Philippines Some account of the first 10 years of American occupation from 1898 to 1902

About the Author


David P. Barrows, Ph.D., LLD, is a Professor of Political Science in the University of California. He was formerly City Superintendent of Schools, Manila and Chief of the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes of the Philippines. Also, he was Director of Education for the Philippines.

OUTLINE OF DISCUSSION
Background Why the Philippines was occupied by the US? What was the plan of the US for the Philippines? US policy to prepare for : Administration of the Philippines with largest possible participation of Filipinos. Increase measure of autonomy Conservation of natural resources and public domain Education of the masses Training of Filipinos for leadership

SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Governor Howard Taft


Left Manila with reluctance, 1903 1901 surrender of revolutionary commanders Capture of Aguinaldo, but guerrilla warfare continue July 4, 1902 all provinces organized under the general provincial government Problems encountered

Administration of W. Wright
Programs
Improvement of City of Manila

Political issues

Administration of Gov. General Ide


Vice Governor & Secretary of Finance & Justice became Acting Gov. General on November and was inaugurated Gov. General on April 12, 1906 Improved the management of Philippine Finance Passed Act of 190 Code of Civil Procedure Author of the Internal Revenue Law - led to increase in taxes on tobacco, banks, among others. Reform of Philippine currency

Gov. Gen. James F. Smith


Achievements Passed legislations: New election law, land tax, agriculture, sanitation Opening of Philippine Assembly The culmination of the legislative program of Congress Spain never permitted the establishment of legislative body (because the principle of popular representation has been considered a dangerous and improper to apply in colonial experience (1900 Schurman Commission proposed legislature of 2 chambers of US model) (Taft 1902 propose the creation of the Philippine Assembly)

Adm. Of Gov. General Forbes


Achievements is on promotion of industrial and economics Education Less politics Improved Benguet roads and highways Baguio City as Summer Capital Congressional Investigation of distribution of Friar lands Opened public lands for homesteads as this was not successfully carried out by the government. Development of Agriculture Tobacco and sugar to US, copra to France Exports and imports were stimulated Increased in carabao

Problems Encountered
Beset by typhoons Taal volcano eruption, January 30, 1911 Problems with non-Christian people which they called pagans Problems with Moros (explanation: the Mindanaoans are more connected with Mohammedan Malays of the South. The sultan of Sulu is nominal sovereign of North Borneo Established garrison in Isabela, Basilan and Pollok Tribes were raided and oppressed Sultan of Sulu was a weak man and his feudal datus defied him

1903 Commission passed and Act for Organization of Moro Province

SUMMARY OF RETROSPECT
Over the decade the following was reported as milestones. Improved peace and order Improved judicial system Railroads built Navigation developed Agriculture revived Commerce expanded to a point of importance in world trade

The distinctive achievements of the American Administration in the Philippines is the social and spiritual transformation of the Filipinos themselves. Americans contributed to the governance of empire lie in the personal and political liberty guaranteed to the Filipinos and in the success of popular education. Public institution Public health Bureau of Science and the University Act of 1908 UP offered Arts, Medicines, Engineering, Agriculture, Fine Arts, Veterinary Med, Law Instituted Democratic Administration Industrial Arts Athletics Public Health Problem of cholera and small pox have been addressed

1913 Gov. Harrison Appointed to the commission majority of Filipino members. Withdrawal of American troops in Mindanao Convening of the Assembly under Gov. Harrison on October 11, 1913 Passage of the bill for the Philippine Independence through the establishment of the Republic in 1921. The Choice: For continuance under the US as its protectorate and part of the Union, or For Filipino to be declared independence and govern themselves.

Its history and we are now an Independent Republic!

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