Summative Assessment #1
Readings in Philippine History
Benevolent Assimilation
I am left wondering what dud the United States thought of the Philippines when they
wanted to free the Philippines from the sovereignty of the Spanish. Did they really see the
Philippines as friends? Or as easy targets to for them to profit? I cannot help but to think about
their actions. Are they really benevolent as I thought? Are their actions as righteous as their words?
The American-Spanish war started when the United state faced issues with foreign policies
including the conflict with Spain over the Cuban rebellion which led to the war, the naval battle
between the two countries reached the Philippines. Since the United State has a superior navy over
Spain, they have won the battle which led to the Treaty of Paris which indicates that Spain ceded
both Cuba and the Philippines to the United States over a sum of money.
The United State wanted to free us from the Spain but their action of taking over the
Philippines obtaining control over the governance of the country is the opposite of what they had
promised. President Mckinley intended to take control over the Philippines until he believed that
the people of the Philippines can govern themselves. Is it not too convenient for the United Stated?
Do the people of the Philippine have no right to decide for themselves when they are able to govern
themselves?
The United States affirmed that they intended to win the respect of the Filipino’s and the
people will be entitled to their private rights and relations. This is what President William
proclaimed and is known today as the “Benevolent Assimilation”. It was stated that the United
States “come not as invaders or conquerors, but as friends, to protect the natives in their homes, in
their employment, and their personal and religious rights”. However, an altered version to Emilio
Aguinaldo was sent by Gen. Otis which had the opposite of what they have promised. Can the
people really call this Benevolent? I cannot think of this as a political ploy that the United States
have planned for their own benefit.
Is this really independence when our proclamation of independence was ignored and then
they pushed their “Benevolent Assimilation” and took over. The people of the Philippines were
playing to the hands of the Americans. They did not free the Philippines but they made it as their
own making them the owner. I wonder how did the Filipino feel about this? Did they feel betrayed?
Outplayed from the beginning and had everything to lose. I can only see pain from their point of
view.
It is clear that only the United States have benefitted from this. The Filipino believed that
they were building friendship however the outcome cannot be said to be the same. The deal was
unfavorable as the deal provides the supreme political power from the United States and limiting
the affirmations of the people.
This is clearly an act imperialism by the United States, gaining absolute dominion over the
Philippines no one can do anything as they have already won. The Philippine became the first
colony of the United States. The country is yet again under the colonization of another country.
However, the people of the Philippine’s did not want to be colonized yet again so the PhilippineAmerican War started.
What exactly was the plan of the United States from the beginning. Is imperialism their
plan from the start or did it deviate because of the immense profit they would gain when they
would gain control of the Philippines. Regardless of their motivation, it is undeniable that their
declaration of freedom in the form of “Benevolent Assimilation” was a betrayal to their so-called
friends the Filipinos.
Nevertheless, the Americans came what they have wanted. The “Benevolent Assimilation”
as a justification of their imperialism and nationalism and took the independence of the Philippines
from its people showing no consideration for the feelings of the people. The Philippines was given
bait of freedom and independence and played right in their political ploy.
In the end, the people of the Philippines have yet again lost to another nation. I myself
keeps wondering do we keep losing our independence is it because the naivety. It is disheartening
to see the history of our country as we keep being colonized and having no independence of our
own. Did the Americans show no remorse for doing? Are the people just tools for them to use?
We can only blame ourselves for losing our sovereignty to the Americans. I find this part history
interesting and heartbreaking for us, The citizens of the Philippines.