A Study of Asian American Issues in the United States - Nicoline Pedersen - Krista Celo - Eden Stilman - Seren Ventullo

The Start of the Philippine-American War

The Spanish-American War began when America sided with the revolutionaries in Cuba along with the Philippines, who were fighting for freedom against Spain. The Philippines initially felt relieved to have America fighting on their side, as they were the symbol of freedom and democracy. However, following the American victory in the war, America bought the Philippines for $20 million. When the Philippines discovered they were guaranteed false freedom by their new oppressors, the Philippine-American War began.

The Philippine-American War was led by the Filipino revolutionary general, Emilio Aguinaldo. During the war, half a million Filipinos were killed; a number far greater than those who perished in the Spanish- American War. This number does not include the Filipinos who perished at the hands of disease, famine, and other horrors brought on by the Americans. America maintained their imperialist mindset throughout the duration of the war, and even long after its term. Filipinos, although expected to acclimate to the ideal American way, were racialized, gendered, and brutalized on American soil. The national language of the Philippines, rich in culture, was considered undesirable, and their dark- skin allowed them to become a target for abuse. The Philippines suffered by the hands of those they thought to be their ‘saviors.’

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