- The United States defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War and acquired the Philippines as a territory.
- The Filipinos, who had been promised independence by the United States, launched a war of independence.
- The United States brutally suppressed the Filipino War of Independence.
1902-1935: American Colonial Rule
- The United States established a colonial government in the Philippines.
- The Philippines was ruled by an American governor-general and by the Philippine Commission, which was appointed by the U.S. president.
- The Filipinos were excluded from the political process and had no say in how their country was run.
1935-1942: Philippine Commonwealth
- The United States granted the Philippines commonwealth status in 1935.
- The Commonwealth of the Philippines had its own president and legislature, but the United States still controlled the country's foreign policy and defense.
1941-1945: World War II and Japanese Occupation
- The Japanese invaded the Philippines during World War II and occupied the country for three years.
- The Philippine Commonwealth government went into exile and the United States fought to liberate the Philippines.
1945-1946: Independence
- The Philippines gained independence from the United States on July 4, 1946.