The American Colonial Rule

1899-1945

American Colonial Rule: Policy and Governance (1899-1907) Pres. McKinley created the Schurman

Commission and the Taft Commission

The Impact of American Rule1898-1935

Education and the School System

America’s greatest achievement in the Philippine was the introduction of the public school system.

The oldest university founded under the Americans was Siliman University in Dumaguete City, followed by Central Philippine University in Iloilo City. The University of the Philippines was founded in 1908 in Manila.

Siliman University

Improvement in Trade and Industry

• In 1909, Philippine exports amounted to 60.9 million pesos. In 1910-1914, it rose to 94.7 million pesos. In 1914-1918, the amount of exports further increased to 177.3 million pesos, and in 1925-1930, the exports amounted to 297.9 million pesos.

Public Health and Welfare

In 1901, the Americans created the Board of Public Health, which later on became a bureau.

It’s duties were to construct the people in hygiene and sanitation and to combat the people’s ignorance and superstitions which were the greatest enemies of medicine and public health.

Transportation and Communication

The railway line was likewise extended. In 1903, there were less than 200 kilometers of railway. In 1935, it rose to more than 1,000 kilometers. The Manila-Dagupan Railway, founded during the Spanish period, was acquired by the government and became the Manila Railroad Company.

Democracy and Civil Liberties

• The American regime recognized the equality of men before the law and right of every man to all the freedoms-freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to complain, and freedom to change’s one domicle (a place permanent residence)

Political parties• The parties then had a political platform which

Filipinos learned from the Americans.• In time, the good as well as the bad

characteristics of the political party system in United States were adopted by the Filipinos.

• The result of this system of political parties was the increase in the knowledge of government machinery and government affairs by the wealthy and educated Filipinos.

• This kind of politics, ironically was deepened during the time of Governor-General Harrison, when more Filipinos came to control the lawmaking body and government bureaucracy.

Language and Literature• McKinley ordered that the English language be

made as the medium of instruction in all public schools.

• Some Filipinos began to write in English.• By 1935, many Filipino writers in English

distinguished themselves in poetry, short stories, and essays. A few wrote dramas and novels. Some of the poems and short stories of Filipino writers in English were published in the U.S.

• Words like putbol (football), basketbol (basketball), pawl (foul), boksing (boxing), bistik (beefsteak), kendi (candy) and many others are now part of the tagalog vocabulary.

Negative Results of American Rule• The Philippines became dependent exclusively on

the United States to continue prosper economically.

• There was no real industrialization in the hands of Filipino capital.

• Our own delicacies and heroes are no longer appreciated. Filipino people focus about American culture.

• Materialistic view of life has weakened the Filipino’s communal spirit towards an individualistic and consumerist way of life.

Pictures

Thomasites