Treaty of Paris: 1898 (Spanish-America War) - Essay Example

As any colony would react, the short-term consequence of the acquisition of the Philippines by America can be considered rough. Barely three months after the acquisition of the Philippines, the conflict between the United States and the Philippines began on February 04, 1899 which quickly escalated into a full war with the Battle of Manila in 1899 (Philippine History.org, 2012). Shortly, Philippines declared war against the United States on July 04, 1902 which was known as the Philippine War of Independence with former Katipunan fighters extending their fight against the Americans from their former colonizers, the Spaniards (Lee, 2012).

World War II broke out and following the war, the United States relinquished control of the Philippine territory by signing the Treaty of General Relations albeit with conditions which are the signing of the Bell Trade Act which in effect still enforces some sort of control on the Philippine territory. The US established a military in Subic, Philippines and prohibited the country from manufacturing any product that might be of competition against US products. The United States also forced the Philippines to have unlimited access to its natural resources and to have an equal stature with the local with the signing of the Parity Rights Agreement.

The American occupation on the Philippines can be said to have changed its cultural perspective. When the Spaniards colonized the Philippines, it used religion and sword to impose itself against its colony. With the US, it used education to make its presence felt in the cultural and political landscape of the Philippines. . The American occupation on the Philippines can be said to have changed its cultural perspective. When the Spaniards colonized the Philippines, it used religion and sword to impose itself against its colony.

With the US, it used education to make its presence felt in the cultural and political landscape of the Philippines. This resulted in the weakening of religion in state affairs which used to dictate governance in the Philippines. It also resulted in the Americanization or westernization of the Filipinos and the introduction of the English language as one of its vernaculars. III. What were the long-term consequences of the acquisition of this particular territory? The Philippines and the United States relations might have had a rough start with the Philippines being sold to the US in the Treaty of Paris for $20 million.

But in the long-run, these two countries forged a binding relationship which can be considered as allies and even resulted in the signing of other treaties such as Mutual Defense Treaty which will obligate either of the two countries (with approval of Congress) to come to each other’s aid when one of the countries are attacked or at war. There is also the Visiting Forces Agreement which enhances the defense and inter-operability of both countries. For the United States, it can stop terror right from the country of origin by enhancing the defense capability of its partner, the Philippines.

The Philippines in turn benefit from the US cutting edge technology and opportunity to upgrade its armory.