The Impact of American Colonization in the Philippines
A research paper submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the
Philippine History
Prepared by:
Palmones, Jomel D.
BS-CRIM 1 G
INTRODUCTION
Under the rule of the United States, we couldn’t deny that it brought a lot of impact to our
lives as a Filipino citizen. During their colonization, they introduced the crucial role of education
most especially the use of English language as our medium of instruction. They also left us with
numerous positive impacts that will improve the standing of our country which is the Philippines
among other countries. They manage to brought a great impact on how the Filipinos are going to
improved their economic status, the society and most importantly on how to preserve the culture
of the Filipinos.
It is really evident that American culture dominated Philippine life for the reason that they
truly help our country to improved in a way that we would be able to attain on having an
independent and democratic country in the near future. Through their help and influence, they help
us the Filipinos to arise from lowest economy to slowly recovering and gaining more economic
growth. The colonization of the American also influenced the modern Filipino culture and promote
the social and material well being of the Filipino people.
CONTEXT
For almost half a century, the United States governed the Philippines. As a colonial power,
the United States pursued policies which it rightfully believed would promote the social and
material wellbeing of the Filipino. One such policy was the introduction of the American system
of education, and so pervasive and far-reaching was its impact and influence on the life and culture
of the Filipino during and after the colonial period that it is generally regarded as the "greatest
contribution" of American colonialism in the Philippines. The term “Filipino” offers more than a
call to nationality; it also recalls the genesis of colonization in the Philippines. This research
explores the colonial interventions of the United States in the Philippines at the turn of the 20 th
century, homing in on the Filipino education system as the United States’ primary method of
colonizing the Filipino mind. Also, this research will discuss about the influence of American
colonization when it comes to culture and economy of the Philippines.
America’s single most important influence upon the Filipino people has been and continues
to be education and the use of English as the medium of instruction. United States influence in
education continues today through the support of educational exchange and the presence of the
Peace Corps and similar organizations that touch the lives of the education as well as the ordinary
Filipino. The Filipino people, long before the arrival of the Americans in 1898, had an enduring
respect and appreciation for education. As stated by the Philippine Commission in its Report for
1900: Undoubtedly a well-directed system of education will prove to be one of the most forceful
agencies for elevating the Filipinos, materially, socially, and morally, and preparing them for a
large participation in the affairs of the government Common schools must be established
everywhere and, as a minimum standard, every child must be taught arithmetic, and to read and
write the English language. From what had been quoted, it is, therefore, not hard to explain why
English became a common language among the Filipino. This is an impact of American education
in the Philippines which was very patent during the American occupation and still is. To interpret,
English-only eventually changed to bilingual instruction, English usage had become pervasive
throughout the whole of society with the influence of the Americans. Throughout the business and
government sector, English became the dominant language, as well as the language that bridged
communication gaps between regional Filipino cultural groups who did not share an indigenous
language. Today, English, along with Filipino, is recognized as a national language of the
Philippines. In terms of the education here in our country, we recognized English as our second
language due to the influence of the American culture and I would say that English language really
help us to easily communicate most especially to those people who lived in different countries
where English is their native language.
The main goal of the United States in the Philippines was to turn the country into a selfsufficient capitalistic democracy. The U.S. did this by creating infrastructure that would improve
the literacy and economy of the country. As a result, literacy doubled to about half by the 1930's
and a fourth of the educated population could speak English. This was a massive influence for the
Filipino culture, as English became the dominate language alongside the official Filipino language
of Tagalog. The United States did not focus on religion like Spain did, but they helped create
religious freedom for the people of the Philippines. With the cultural impact that the west has had
on the Philippines, their economy was also influenced by western power, primarily the U.S. during
their democratic rule. To interpret, American’s also influence the Filipino culture in a way that
they make the Filipinos realized that they should started learning not only the new language but
also a new way of life, but also they should preserve their culture as well as their traditions because
that would make them a true Filipino. We couldn’t also deny that education plays a big role to the
culture of the Filipinos because through education, it helps us to learn on how are we going to
continually actualize our culture and traditions in a way that we could teach them to the future
generations.
should strive on having a democratic and independent country
started learning not only the new language but also a new way of life, but also they should preserve
their culture as well as their traditions
United States improved the economy and system of government, where the Filipinos had
greater political participation and more economic gains. The American rule caused great marks of
“colonial mentality” and the materialistic ways among many Filipinos. American also created
influence for a government and educational system for the Philippines throughout their rule. As
time went on an technology improved, the Americans brought influence to clothing and food to
the Philippines as well. The biggest influence that can be seen today is found in the Philippine
government and economic system. Throughout American rule in the 20th century, the main goal
was to bring democratic and capitalistic ideas to the Philippines, and they did so successfully. It
wasn't seen right away and the government still varies from nationalist to federalist as history goes
on, but the influence of American ideas are still there. To interpret,
Paragraph 5 – Analysis (self-penned)
To analyze,
The series of colonization experienced by the Philippines contributed to the community’s cultural
bereavement and cultural identity loss.
CONCLUSION (self-penned)
Paragraph 1 – summary
In conclusion.
Paragraph 2 – Learnings
Philippine literary production during the American Period in the Philippines was spurred by two
significant developments in education and culture. One is the introduction of free public instruction
for all children of school age and two, the use of English as medium of instruction in all levels of
education in public schools.
Free public education made knowledge and information accessible to a greater number of
Filipinos. Those who availed of this education through college were able to improve their social
status and joined a good number of educated masses who became part of the country’s middle
class.
The use of English as medium of instruction introduced Filipinos to Anglo-American modes
of thought, culture and life ways that would be embedded not only in the literature produced but
also in the psyche of the country’s educated class. It was this educated class that would be the
wellspring of a vibrant Philippine Literature in English.
Philippine literature in English, as a direct result of American colonization of the country,
could not escape being imitative of American models of writing especially during its period of
apprenticeship.
The Americans likewise implemented practices to advance their economic interests. Under the
guise of benevolent assimilation or helping the Filipinos prepare for their liberalization,
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Avery
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Influence
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the
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Philippines
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Dana R. Herrera (2015). The Philippines: An Overview of the Colonial Era
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for example, discusses the introduction of English by American colonial authorities as the medium
of instruction in schools: “English thus became the only medium of instruction in the schools, the
only language approved for use in the school, work, in public school buildings, and on public
school playgrounds.”
English-only eventually changed to bilingual instruction, English usage had become pervasive
throughout the whole of society. Throughout the business and government sector, English became
the dominant language, as well as the language that bridged communication gaps between regional
Filipino cultural groups who did not share an indigenous language. Today, English, along with
Filipino, is recognized as a national language of the Philippines.
“With American textbooks,. This was the beginning of their education, and at the same time, their
miseducation.”Ta Filipinos started learning not only the new language but also a new way of life,
alien to their traditions . .
Other Filipinos, recruited by US companies beginning in the colonial era, migrated to California,
Hawai`i, and other states, lured by the promise of lucrative work compared to wage rates picking
sugarcane and pineapple in the Philippines. With at least some familiarity with the language,
Filipinos were able to communicate with their foreign employers.
Yet while “independent” implied a Philippines officially free from foreign rule, many
contemporary narratives of Filipino identity, citizenship, and statehood are inevitably influenced
by the colonial past and, some say, the continuing undue influence of other countries.
at this time, perhaps, it would be essential to point out what role education was to play in the
colonial regime in order to have an idea of its broad impact on the life and culture of the Filipino.
To summarize the goals of the United States, as outlined by May (1980), the United States aimed
to: 1) train and prepare the Filipino masses to be capable of self-governance, 2) implement
widespread primary education, and 3) develop the Filipino economy for participation in a global
market.
May argued that many polices were formed between the years of 1900 to 1913 shaped the
Philippines in the American ideal, focusing on preparation of self-governance, primary
education, and economic development
Filipino leaders quickly and skillfully utilized the opportunities for self-government that the
Americans opened to them.
Americans introduced the idea of free education to the Philippine islands. The United States even
sent teachers to help establish schools where the Filipino children could have a free education. A
large group of these teachers were called “Thomasites,” named after the boat that they came on,
called Thomas.
English
During this time, English began to be taught in the schools, and this is the language that the
teachers would use. Even today, most Filipinos can’t help but mix in English words when they
speak. “Taglish” has literally become part of the culture. In fact, English is now the 2nd
national language. Lots of English words have made their way into the Tagalog language.