The Philippines

Historical Background

•Mix of Indonesian and Malaysian• Later affected by

Chinese and Muslim traders•Conquered by Spanish

in 1571•Named after Spanish

king Philip II•Used as a center for

trans-Pacific trade

Spanish Influence

•Catholicism became dominant religion•Unification of islands in

early 1800s•Free trade by mid-1800s•Enlightenment and

revolutionary ideas spreading into upper Filipino classes

Wealthy Filipino family – 19th century

Growth of Nationalism

•3 major groups• Spanish (conservative,

led by Catholic leaders)• Ilustrados (upper class,

educated Filipinos)• Revolutionaries (lower

class uneducated Filipinos and minority groups) Ilustrado leaders Jose Rizal, Marcelo

del Pilar, and Mariano Ponce

Growth of Nationalism

• Liga Filipina• Led by Jose Rizal•National nonviolent

political organization•Katipunan• Secret society

committed to winning independence• Emilio Aguinaldo led

rebellion in 1896• Defeated 1897

Andres Bonifacio, founder of Katipunan

Trans: “Revolution – Towards Change”

Emilio Aguinaldo

Nationalist Wars

•US vs Spain • 1898

•Filipinos fought with the US, expected independence as reward•US refused •US vs Philippines• 1899-1901•Won by US

American Control

•Phase 1• 1901-1935• “teaching”•Major parties• Progressives• Nacionalistas

•Phase 2• 1936-1946• “transition”• Included Japanese

occupation 1941-1945“Uncle Sam – well sonny, what is it? Philippines – where do I come in on this?”

Independence

• July 4, 1946•First President Manuel

Roxas•1957 – Carlos Garcia• Filipinos First movement

Manuel Roxas (above)

Carlos Garcia (left)

Nationalist Problems

•Communist movements• Throughout 1960s and

1970s• Hukbalahap (Huks)

•Muslim south alienated by Christian north•Difficulty working with

other Asian countries•Nationalist dictators• Ferdinand Marcos

Luis Taruc – Huk leader

Ferdinand Marcos

8-rayed sun – 8 original provinces that began 1896 revolution

Three small stars – three main island groups

White equilateral triangle – equality and fraternity

Blue stripe – peace, truth and justice

Red stripe – patriotism and valor