1. Filipino Insurgency against Spain:
Before the Spanish-American War, the Philippines had been a colony of Spain for over three centuries. However, there were growing tensions and a strong independence movement among Filipinos led by Emilio Aguinaldo.
2. Dewey's Victory:
In 1898, the American naval forces led by Commodore George Dewey sailed to Manila Bay in the Philippines. On May 1, 1898, Dewey's fleet decisively defeated the Spanish naval squadron in the Battle of Manila Bay, destroying most of the Spanish ships.
3. Filipino-American Alliance:
Seeing an opportunity to gain independence from Spain, Emilio Aguinaldo and the Filipino revolutionaries forged an alliance with the United States. The Filipinos provided significant assistance to the American forces in the capture of Manila from the Spanish.
4. Manila's Capture:
On August 13, 1898, American troops, aided by Filipino forces, entered Manila and forced the surrender of the Spanish garrison. The Americans occupied the city and established control over most of the Philippines.
5. Philippine Declaration of Independence:
On June 12, 1898, while the Spanish-American War was ongoing, Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the independence of the Philippines from Spanish rule. Aguinaldo established a Filipino revolutionary government and became its first president.
6. Escalation of Conflict:
Despite the victory over Spain and the declared independence of the Philippines, tensions arose between the United States and the newly formed Philippine government. The Americans sought to maintain control over the Philippines, leading to the Philippine-American War, which lasted until 1902.
7. Peace Treaty and Treaty of Paris:
In December 1898, the Spanish-American War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. Under this treaty, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States, along with other territories, for $20 million.
8. Philippine Resistance:
The transfer of the Philippines to the United States faced strong resistance from Filipino forces. The Philippine-American War ensued, and the Filipinos fought for their independence against the American occupation. Emilio Aguinaldo led the Filipino resistance until his capture in 1901.
9. Consequences and Legacy:
The Spanish-American War and its aftermath had profound consequences for the Philippines. It led to the end of Spanish colonial rule, but also paved the way for American colonization. The Philippine-American War resulted in significant casualties and social upheaval in the Philippines, shaping the country's political and historical trajectory.