History of South America

Why did the Filipinos feel betrayed by US?

The Filipinos felt betrayed by the United States for a number of reasons:

- The US initially promised independence to the Philippines. In the 1898 Treaty of Paris, the US agreed to grant the Philippines independence after a period of transition. However, the US later reneged on this promise and kept the Philippines as a colony for nearly 50 years.

- The US exploited the Philippines economically and politically. During its colonial rule, the US controlled the Philippines' economy and government, and it used the Philippines as a source of cheap labor and resources. This led to widespread poverty and inequality in the Philippines.

- The US suppressed Filipino culture and identity. The US attempted to impose its own culture and values on the Philippines, and it suppressed Filipino languages, traditions, and customs. This led to a loss of Filipino identity and pride.

- The US committed atrocities against Filipinos. During the Philippine-American War, the US military committed numerous atrocities against Filipino civilians, including torture, rape, and mass murder. This led to a deep sense of resentment and anger among Filipinos.

- The US abandoned the Philippines during World War II. In 1942, the US surrendered the Philippines to Japan, leaving Filipinos to fend for themselves against the Japanese occupation. This betrayal led to a sense of abandonment and disillusionment among Filipinos.

- The US continued to control and meddle in the Philippines' affairs after independence. Even after the Philippines gained independence in 1946, the US continued to exert influence over its political, economic, and military affairs. This led to a feeling of neocolonialism and a loss of sovereignty among Filipinos.

As a result of these factors, many Filipinos feel that the US has betrayed them and that the US has not lived up to its promises. This has led to a deep sense of resentment and anger among many Filipinos, and it continues to impact Filipino-US relations today.