Colonial Struggle and Independence of the Philippines & Social Movement that arise during Japan’s Colonization by: Mark Angelo Lapinig

Colonial Struggle and Independence of the Philippines

 Battle of Mactan 
(http://img.webme.com/pic/t/taclobanhotels/battle_of_mactan.jpg)

Brief History on Spanish Colonization

In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer who was serving the Spanish crown, landed in Samar Island on his voyage to circumvent the globe. Magellan was killed during a rebellion led by a Datu named Lapu-Lapu in Mactan Island (adjacent to Cebu Island). Spain continued to send expeditions to the island for financial gain and on the fourth expedition, Commander Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, named the islands: Philippines, after Prince Philip (later King Philip II), heir to the Spanish throne. Spain ruled the Philippines for 356 years.

During Spanish Colonization

During the time of the Spanish Period the church and the state were not separated. Early Filipinos were not allowed to vote and there is the domination of Spaniards to the Philippines (money, education and land).

Results of colonization

Revolutionary movements arised (e.g. biak na bato) and there are many illiterate and poor Filipinos due to the harsh imposition of rules by Spaniards.

Spanish-American War period (1898)

On May 1, 1898 the battle in manila commenced by Commodore Dewey's Asiatic Squadron defeated the Spanish squadron under Admiral Patricio Montojo y Pasarón with 5,000 men to seize Manila itself. Faced with defeat, the Philippines was ceded to the United States by Spain in 1898 after a payment of US$ 20 million to Spain in accordance with the "Treaty of Paris" ending the Spanish-American War. 

 1898: America Moves into Asia (Click the photo to enlarge)
(http://ocw.mit.edu/ans7870/21f/21f.027/throwing_off_asia_01/res_54_160_l.html)

First Philippine Independence

On June 12, 1898, Filipinos led by Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence. This declaration was opposed by the U.S. who had plans of taking over the colony thus led to a guerrilla war against the Americans but the US President Woodrow Wilson promised Philippine Independence. In 1935 the Philippine Commonwealth with elected president Manuel L. Quezon granted the Philippines it’s self-government.

Brief history of Japan’s Colonization

Japan’s colonization started between 1941-1945launched an attack on the Philippines on December 8, 1941. Clark Air Base in Pampanga was first attacked and also Nichols Field outside Manila was attacked.

Results of Japan’s Colonization

Japan's formal surrender on September 2, 1945, but the Philippines had suffered great loss of life and tremendous physical destruction by the time the war was over. Over 1 million Filipinos had been killed from all causes during the war from rape to murder they were brutally killed by Japanese soldiers. U.S. casualties were 10,380 dead and 36,550 wounded; Japanese dead were 255,795.

Social Movement that arise during Japan’s Colonization 

As many as 10,000 people died in the Bataan Death March 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ww2_131.jpg)

Hukbalahap or Huk

In 1942 a social movement formed as Hukbalahap or known as hukbong bayan laban samga Hapon. The strength of the Huk organization came from the mostly agrarian peasants of Central Luzon. The initial force of 500 armed Huks which was organized into five squadrons had increased to a fully armed guerrilla force of 20,000 men. The group’s leader is Luis Taruc they aimed to lead the Philippines toward Marxist ideals and communist revolution. The Hukbalahap Insurrection (1946–1954) was their attempt to take over the Philippines.

Independence

The Philippines was granted it's so called as true independence in 1946. Freedom at last, 148 years later than the freedom which was written down by Julian Felipe in the Philippine anthem called “Lupang Hinirang". The Republic of the Philippines was proclaimed on July 4, 1946.

Sources:

O     Henderson, Clarence (2000). “Philippines Politics and Corruption: A socio-political Digression”. A course guide in Philippine Politics and Governance. Retrieved from September 26, 2013

O     (Anonymous) (n.d.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hukbalahap. Retrieved from September 26, 2013

O     (Anonymous) 2013 Philippine History Website. Retrieved at http://www.philippine-history.org. Retrieved from September 26, 2013