Treaty of Paris revisited

Amused by a block-time radio program host who asserted that the Philippines should have been a part of the United States, I read again my old history books and online sources about the American occupation of our country.

Uncle Sam colonized Juan dela Cruz after defeating Spain in the Spanish-American War in 1898.

The Treaty of Paris on Dec. 10, 1898 saw Spain ceding the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico to the US. Uncle Sam paid $20 million to acquire the Philippines.

The war against Spain pulled the US into the Philippine Revolution, which was ignited by Andres Bonifacio and his Katipunan in August 1896.

If the Spanish-American War did not take place, I am certain Spain would have crushed the revolution as the Katipuneros lacked firepower and manpower. War could not be won by courage alone as it is not a shield against bullets and artillery fire.

The independence from Spain would have not been secured without US intervention.

After the Spanish-American War, the US colonized the Philippines, enraging the revolutionaries now led by Emilio Aguinaldo.

The US possibly cradled Juan dela Cruz for fear that other imperialist countries like Germany would take over the archipelago.

Aguinaldo’s government was weak and international communities did not recognize the Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898, or six months before the Treaty of Paris.

The US granted the Philippines full independence on July 4, 1946, ending the Commonwealth.

American leaders let go of Juan dela Cruz as they possibly learned the lessons from fallen empires: it is futile to rule foreign lands with elites who want to rule and nationalistic individuals who are willing to go into war against colonizers.--