March 31, 1899 and were driven into northern Luzon. Peace feelers from members of Aguinaldo's cabinet failed in May when the American commander, General Ewell Otis, demanded an unconditional surrender. Aguinaldo disbanded his regular forces in November and began a guerrilla campaign concentrated mainly in the Tagalog areas of central Luzon. Aguinaldo was captured on March 23, 1901. In Manila he was persuaded to swear allegiance to the United States and called on his soldiers to put down their arms. The United States declared an end to military rule on July 4, 1901. Sporadic resistance continued until 1903.8 Americans introduce public school system employing English for instruction is the most consequential of all American innovations. Vocational and normal schools were opened to train educational personnel. Textbooks first came direct from American school systems. They also imbibed a new sense of values as they say how man of humble origins could rise through his own efforts. The Catholic Church, so dominant during the Spanish era, now experienced its own metamorphosis. Revolt against Spain had stirred some Filipino members of the clergy to join in creation of Philippines Independent Church that severed all ties with Rome and competed for a following. U.S. administrations opened the Islands to Protestant missionaries for their churches, particularly among the emerging middle class.9Among the entire American introduction none proved more congenial for Filipino than the new profession of politics. By act of U.S. Congress elective government was instituted in the municipalities in 1902, extending the restricted franchise of the Spanish period.10 I do agree that Americans civilized us and helped my country to get rid of Spanish regime but in my own opinion they did what Spanish did to us as well. It might not been as bloody as Spanish’ occupation but they did control us. It’s true, they could civilize us but we should be able to...
