Philippines - Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation - Essay Example

History Final Exam The Philippines history is an interesting one especially having had to first endure the Spanish colony then followed by the American colony. The Philippines had to find ways in which they could respond to colonialism under both colonies at different periods. Such ways included, spiritual believes, unity and even literature. Initially the Filipinos assumed and believed that Americans were their ally in struggle to do away with Spain. The American distanced themselves later from Filipinos interests and the Filipinos were unhappy. This relationship faded and tensions heightened while it was clear that Americans were here to stay. Philippine independence proclamation back in the year 1898 peaked the common fight against the Spanish under the revived Katipulan and the revolutionary army. On the contrary, the war participants were not satisfied. This indicated the break up with the Katipulan mother country as her son’s brotherhood. The new idea affairs were taken over by the ilustrados. They were successful in the ways which were western borrowed. The president, Emilio Aquinaldo was tasked with preservation of the Filipino elite’s traditional definition for the state whereas the army’s commander in chief channeled the energies of the people towards the war against the United States (Ileto, 116). Could be the army commander happened to be the best within this role. However, Aguinaldo happened to be an expert in his previous national struggles. Hi followers believed that he did possess magic powers in the sense that he predicted the future as well as possessed the magic sword which could turn back bullets and he was not vulnerable. Under the Spanish colonization in the years 1872 and 1898, the Filipinos responded the colonialism under their leader Emilio Aguinaldo. There were two main ways through which the Philippines held on to survive the Spanish colonialism. One of the ways in which they responded is through Christianity. The speeches of their leader were quite encouraging in the sense that he assured the Filipinos of independence at the end. Their leader reminded them that they belonged to a single mother and that their mother cared for them. Again, the word one mother meant God as well. He said that all were built in Gods image and were his brothers. The leader mentioned in his speech that all Filipinos, Chinese as well as Spanish belonged to one mother, that were a creation of God. Could b this was a way to make the Spanish realize that they were not supposed to be harsh upon their brothers. The Philippines were encouraged to unite as a way to respond the harsh colonialism by the Spanish. Unity was addressed as one of the most important things that would see them come to gain independence. As earlier mentioned, their leader in his speech had told them that they belonged to a single mother. This term also meant one nation. This was to the extent that the brotherhood included even those from outside but lived within for instance the Chinese as well as Spanish. Through making the Spanish know that they are part of the family would make them more lenient while dealing with the Filipinos. According to him, with the Filipinos uniting then the Filipinos nation would gain independence and do away with foreigners. His speech defined nationalism as the unity of views as well as aspirations with the main idea being freedom or independence (Ileto, 117). The leader said that it is through unity that all Philippines whether within the Philippine provinces or even outside, would be united together as they gain independence since unity would as well result to freedom from domination of foreigners. Since 1898 under the colonialism of the Americans, a different approach from the spiritual one was used in response to colonialism. The use of literature was seen to be a main response to colonialism. This was done in terms of newspaper writings as well as songs. For instance, there were writings such as “The fruits of struggle are the following: The educated become Jess arrogant. The powerful become less cruel. The ignorant gain knowledge. And the world grows more radiant and beautiful, as the minds of the masses are opened.” (Ileto, 118). This one among the literatures that were used in response to American colonialism. This is due to the fact that after a long struggle, the Filipinos expected independence. This would give them hope hence a reason to survive. They even composed a song of victory. However, the aspect of unity and spiritual ideas was retained similarly to the prior period. In the year 1899, the president announced that Americans were in the process of succeeding the Spaniards and that unity was the way to fight them. This is a similar approach of unity in both periods. The president called for the various Katipunans to come in unity with the nation as a whole (Ileto, 122). However, not all of the Kaputunans adhered to the presidential call for unity due to their confusing teachings. The president as well assured the country that that government, congress as well as the army were in unity with the citizens and would struggle together to respond to colonialism. This had some aspect of difference compared to the prior period where the president had been tasked with preservation of the Filipino elite’s traditional definition for the state. Literature was widely used in response to American colonialism. Some of it showed the manner in which the Filipino land had suffered under the oppression of American colonialism. A good example is the Mojica’s article in the year 1899 which was about the “about the light of Mother Filipinas which is flickering under the onslaught of the Americans. But, he continues, heaven is bound to help the Filipinos, and he ends with the saying: "King Nabucadanosor likened himself to a beast, but humility and lowliness saved the good Moses" (Ileto, 127). This poem shows Americans oppression. It is also connected to spiritual believes of Moses and Nebuchadnezzar who are mentioned in the bibles old testament. This shows that the Filipinos held spiritual aspect as an important within the period under American colonialism just as during the Spanish colonialism. During the American colonialism, the Filipinos trusted in God to rescue them just like Moses was send to rescue the Israelites from Egyptian oppression. Within the article, Mojica mentioned that Filipinos had responded to oppression with bamboo sticks, spears and rusty muskets against the well-armed army due to the fact that their actions were out of an occurrence whose consequence was somehow partly heavenly outline. It was tough for the Philippines living under both colonies harsh conditions. However, the believed that unity, trusting in God and reliance upon the army were among the things that commonly helped the Filipinos survive through both eras. They engaged in literature during the American colony and the president task widened to defending Filipino against the Americans something that did not happen during the Spanish colony. The encouraging speeches of the president Emilio Aguinaldo kept them alive throughout the period of colonization. B. Q3 President McKinley’s “Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation” promise to the Filipinos that the United States authority would be exerted for securing individuals as well as property of the highlanders as well as for confirmation for all personal rights and relationships. It also promised that the Americans come as friends to inhabitants within their homes, in their religious and personal rights, and within their employments, but they do not came as conqueror and invaders (McKinley). The Philippines as clients of the Americans were promised protection and support on conditions that they submit themselves or provide active aid or cooperate to help facilitate the its provision for the beneficial promise made by the Americans. On condition that one acknowledged the United States supremacy through taking a certain oath, such people were promised to be appointed officers of the municipal as well as civil governments. The Philippines were promised that their property: personal and corporation property, would be respected, however, public revenue and property would be under United States government control. The proclamation required that the Philippines pay taxes to the US government (McKinley). To start with, the Americans came to invade the Philippines land and colonize them contrary to what they said. If they came as friends then they would not have forced then to pay taxes or take an oath of adherence to the U.S. According the proclamation, America was partly a friend; for those who complied only. The position in government it gave them was nothing than to make them feel accommodated instead of colonized. However, it colonized them. B. Q4 Felipe Salvador a Filipino born in Baliuag, Bulacan can be said to have been a revolutionary as well as a spiritual leader. At young age, Salvador was rebellious as well as religious person. Felipe Salvador was a revolutionary. He defied colonial authorities to the extent of discouraging believers from paying taxes. He as well founded a messianic society which was as well called the Colorum whose aim was to defeat as well as overthrow the United States colonial government in the Philippines. It was in the year 1896 when Salvador joined the Katipulan after the Katipulaneros from Balintwak arrived in Baliuag, Bulacan. In 1899 Salvador was appointed colonel by Emilio Aguinaldo the Philippine president and came to be a major general at the time of American Philippine war. Salvador became a spiritual leader in 1900. He was known as Apung Ipe or Apo Ipe Salvador and he founded Santa Iglesias or the holy church (Ileto, 213). This was after he flee to the mountains at a time when the United States soldiers had captured General Emilio Aguinaldo. Looking clearly at things, Salvador was not really a spiritual leader. He was only looking for a place to hide after his commander was captured. May be he was used to being in charge and found that through starting the church he would have a following. C. Maria Rosa Henson Among the greatest atrocities committed by the Japanese during World War II included forcing a lot of women within countries they occupied, which include Philippines, to serve within their brothels as comfort women for the military. Maria Rosa is among those became victims of the Japanese military oppression. Maria Rosa gives her sad story about how the Chinese soldiers raped her. It was at the age of 15 when Maria Rosa was taken by the Japanese soldiers who forced her to render the military soldiers sexual services. Rosa’s story of rape and woman’s survival in a world of ruthless men whom are like animals whom could cool their anger only on her is a sad story which as well happen to be an account for her extra ordinary bravery which moves as well as inspires readers of the story. She explains that more than 12 to 20 men could rape her. This example encouraged other people to tell their personal stories, bellying previous claims that forces of japan failed to set up stations for comfort within Philippines as they did within Taiwan, Korea as well as Indonesia. Rosa overcame countless odds to become a justice champion for most World War II silent and secret victims. Her story is pitiful and anyone who hears it would be moved. Through telling her story, Maria Rosa saw her dream come true as other women who had faced such atrocities came forward to make demands that the Chinese government compensate those who suffered. Finally Maria agreed to be compensated only that she died too fast. However, she had achieved her goals by making the Chinese recognize what happened to her. Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos Ferdinand Marcos was the president of Philippines and Imelda was his wife of the ruler Marcos. Ferdinand ruled from the year 1965 and in 1972 to 1981 he ruled as martial law (James, 287). He was a dictator whose regime well known for corruption, brutality and extravagance. Imelda’s political power steadily grew as she developed confidence, as well as her wellbeing and acquired funds through building programs (James, 265). She was humiliated due to the unfaithfulness of her husband which made be considered as having failed as a wife. She was an actor whom later got praised for having survived an attempt on her life right before the audience (James, 266). She later died with her death being assumed to have been politically motivated. Imelda used the story of her husband and Dovie Beams affair to gain emotional as well as political dominance over Ferdinand. Since Ferdinand’s story of unfaithfulness had become public, Imelda used it to gain political favor. References Ileto, Reynaldo Clemna. "Popular Movements in the Philippines, 1840- 1910." Pasyon and Revolution (1971): 115-256. https://www.sendspace.com/file/0xnryh. James., Hamilton-Paterson. Americas Boy: A Century of United States Colonialism in the Philippines. Henry Holt and Company, 1999. https://www.sendspace.com/file/0xnryh. Maria, Rosa, Henso. Comfort Woman: A Filipinas Story of Prostitution and Slavery under the Japanese Military (Asian Voices). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1999. https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=blKwRjW5dHEC&printsec=frontcover&dq=comfort+woman-+maria+rosa&hl=en&sa=X&ei=MegHVaDmD4btoATzx4C4Bg&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=comfort%20woman-%20maria%20rosa&f=false. McKinley, President. "Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation." (1998): 4. https://www.sendspace.com/file/g7ae0l. Read More