War of Philippine Independence from the United States

April 25, 1898

- United States declares war on Spain
May 1, 1898
- Commodore George Deweys United States naval forces defeated the
Spanish fleet in Manila Bay
May 24, 1898
- General Emilio Aguinaldo establishes a provisional government in the
Philippines
June 12, 1898
- Philippines proclaims independence.
June 30, 1898
- United States volunteer troops arrive in the Philippines.
August 1898
- Americans win against Spain in the incredulous Battle of Manila
- Filipino troops are curiously evacuated from all areas captured by the Americans
December 10, 1898
- United States and Spain sign the Treaty of Paris, ending the war and
transferring the Philippines to the United States.
December 21, 1898
- US President William McKinley issues his Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation,
indicating that the US shall exercise sovereignty over the entire Philippine archipelago
January 5, 1899
- Aguinaldo issues a counter-proclamation(Manifesto), specifying that his forces are
prepared to fight any American attempt to take over the country
January 20, 1899
- US President McKinley appointed the First Philippine Commission to make
recommendations in the administration of the country, headed by Dr. Jacob Schurman
(Schurman Commission)
February 4, 1899
- Hostilities begin, involving Private Robert Willie Grayson of the First Nebraska
volunteers, in Silencio corner Sociego St. in Sta. Mesa, Manila
- First shot of the Philippine-American War, called Philippine Insurrection by the
Americans (1899-1906)
February 5, 1899
- General Arthur MacArthur issues his order to advance against Filipino troops without
investigating the shooting incident
- Aguinaldo tries to avoid war, sending an emissary to inform Governor General Elwell
Otis that the firing on their side had been against his order, to no avail
August 20, 1899
- John Bates and Sultan Jamalul Kiram II of Sulu with three datus sign the Bates Treaty,
providing that the rights and dignities of the sultan and his datus shall be respected
November 12, 1899
- Aguinaldo dissolves the regular army, forming guerilla units instead to carry on the war
March 16, 1900
- President McKinley appointed the Second Philippine Commission headed by Judge
William Howard Taft (Taft Commission)
April 19, 1901
- Aguinaldo is captured and taken aboard the Vicksburg and brought to Manila
- Aguinaldo takes the oath of allegiance to the United States and appealed to all Filipinos
to accept the sovereignty of the United States
July 4, 1901
- American civil government is established in the Philippines with Taft as first civil
governor
July 1, 1902
- United States Congress passes the Cooper Act, or the Philippine Organic Act of 1902,
providing for the extension of the United States Bill of Rights to Filipinos, and the
establishment of an elective Philippine Assembly
July 4, 1902
- US President Theodore Roosevelt declares that the Philippine Insurrection is over
- More than 200,000 Filipino casualties already by this time

Causes of the Philippine-American War

Geopolitical
Nations exhibit a desire for national power and/or they fear that their nations security is
threatened by a foreign power. This may be manifested by calls for larger or more modern armed
forces, the establishment of overseas bases, or the need to build political support for a future
military conflict.
Economic
Nations enunciate policies that seek to increase the economic prosperity of their country and its
citizens. This may include demands for access to additional products and/or raw materials from
foreign nations or the increased development of markets for their nations goods in foreign lands.
Racial Ideology
Nations express the belief that certain cultural, ethnic or race-based societies are superior to
others. National leaders may then argue that their own civilization exhibits better government,
superior cultural values, a more enlightened economic system, and/or a higher religious order.
Missionary Zeal
Nations may offer humanitarian assistance to those societies that they perceive as less fortunate.
This desire to help may be mixed with a belief in the superiority of ones government, cultural
values, economy or religious views. As a price for accepting aid from the powerful missionary
nation, the recipient nation may be convinced to adopt certain values and practices
characteristic of the dominant power.
Nationalism
Nations strive to be free of foreign influence and interference. They desire to be recognized by
other countries as an independent state, based upon the nations defining qualitiesits particular
blend of government, culture, economy and/or religion. Once national sovereignty has been
achieved, it then follows that nationalistic nations act to increase their prestige through the
fulfillment of expansive political, territorial, economic and/or cultural objectives. More often
than not, the effort to impose the idea or ideology of one nation upon another is an exercise in
self-righteousness.
Militarism
Nations may see warfare as an end in itself to develop manly character and patriotism. Once war
has been initiated, the honor of the nation must be upheld and citizens should rally around the
flag to maintain national unity against foreign foes. Attacks upon a nations troops must, in this
view, be avenged by further military action.