Philippine History

Philippine History
The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia composed of more than

7,000 islands. Its history is shaped by various factors such as colonization,
wars, politics, and cultural influences. This paper will provide a brief
overview of Philippine history from pre-colonial times to the present day.
Pre-Colonial Times
Before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers in the 16th century, the
Philippines was already inhabited by various groups of people. The
Austronesian-speaking people, who came from Taiwan, were the first
settlers in the archipelago. They were followed by other ethnic groups such
as the Negritos, the Indonesians, and the Malays.
The pre-colonial society was characterized by a complex social structure

with a ruling class, a warrior class, and a peasant class. The people were also
skilled in various forms of arts, music, and dance. Trade and commerce were
also prevalent, with the Chinese and other Southeast Asian nations as
trading partners.
The arrival of the Spanish
In 1521, the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines

and claimed the islands for Spain. However, he was killed in a battle against
the local chieftain Lapu-Lapu in Mactan Island. It was not until 1565 when
the Spanish established a permanent settlement in Cebu under the
leadership of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.
The Spanish colonization of the Philippines lasted for more than 300 years.
The Spaniards introduced Catholicism to the people and established the
encomienda system, which gave Spanish colonizers control over large tracts
of land and the labor of the native population. This system led to the
oppression and exploitation of the Filipino people, which eventually led to
the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
The Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution was a movement for independence from Spanish

rule that began in 1896. The revolution was led by Filipino nationalist and
revolutionary leaders such as Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, and
Apolinario Mabini. The revolutionaries established the First Philippine
Republic in 1899, with Aguinaldo as its first president.
However, the revolution was short-lived as the United States took control of
the Philippines in 1898 after defeating Spain in the Spanish-American War.
The US then established a colonial government in the Philippines and
implemented policies that favored American interests. This led to another
period of oppression and exploitation of the Filipino people.
The American Colonial Period
The American colonial period lasted from 1898 to 1946. During this time, the
US implemented policies that aimed to modernize the Philippines and
introduce democratic institutions. The Americans also introduced the
English language and education system to the Filipino people.
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However, the colonial government was also marked by corruption and
exploitation. The US government gave concessions to American businesses
in the Philippines, which led to the concentration of wealth in the hands of a
few American and Filipino elites. This led to the rise of Filipino nationalism,
which culminated in the Philippine Commonwealth and the establishment of
the Commonwealth government in 1935.
World War II
The Philippines was drawn into World War II when the Japanese Imperial
Army invaded the country in 1941. The Filipino and American forces were
defeated, and the Philippines was occupied by the Japanese for three years.
The occupation was marked by brutalities and atrocities committed against
the Filipino people, such as the Bataan Death March and the massacre of
civilians in Manila.
The Filipino people, however, did not give up their fight for freedom. Filipino
guerrillas, led by leaders such as Macario Sakay and Jose Abad Santos,
continued to resist the Japanese occupation.
Japanese forces in 1945.
Post-World War II
After the war, the Philippines became an independent nation on July 4,

1946, under the leadership of President Manuel Roxas. However, the
country was left devastated by the war, and the government faced the
daunting task of rebuilding the nation.
3
The post-war period was marked by economic challenges, political
instability, and social unrest. The Philippine government faced the challenge
of nation-building, which included the task of creating a strong and stable
government, addressing the economic needs of the people, and promoting
social justice and human rights.
The Marcos Era
In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos was elected as president of the Philippines.

Marcos initially implemented policies that aimed to modernize the country
and improve the lives of the people. However, his regime became marked
by corruption, political repression, and human rights violations.
Marcos declared martial law in 1972, which allowed him to rule the country
with an iron fist. During this period, thousands of people were arrested,
tortured, and killed for opposing the government. The Marcos regime was
also marked by massive corruption, which led to the concentration of wealth
in the hands of a few.
The People Power Revolution
The Marcos regime was toppled in 1986 through the People Power
Revolution, a peaceful uprising that was led by opposition leaders such as
Corazon Aquino and Cardinal Jaime Sin. The revolution was supported by
millions of Filipinos who marched in the streets to demand the ouster of
Marcos.
Aquino became the first female president of the Philippines after winning
the snap elections held in 1986. Her presidency was marked by efforts to
restore democracy, promote human rights, and address the economic needs
4
of the people. However, her administration faced numerous challenges,
including military coups, economic crises, and political instability.
Recent History
The Philippines has undergone significant changes in the past few decades.
The country has experienced economic growth and development, but it still
faces challenges such as poverty, corruption, and political instability.
In 2016, Rodrigo Duterte was elected as president of the Philippines.

Duterte’s administration has been marked by controversial policies such as
the war on drugs, which has led to the deaths of thousands of people. His
government has also been criticized for human rights violations, censorship,
and attacks on press freedom.
To summarize all, the Philippines’ history is marked by various struggles and

challenges, including colonization, war, political repression, and economic
instability. Despite these challenges, the Filipino people have shown
resilience and strength in their fight for freedom and justice. The country
has made significant progress in the past few decades, but it still faces
numerous challenges that need to be addressed. The future of the
Philippines rests on the ability of its leaders and citizens to work together
towards building a strong and prosperous nation that upholds the values of
democracy, human rights, and social justice.

Philippine History

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Philippine History

The Philippines is an archipelago in Southeast Asia composed of more than

The pre-colonial society was characterized by a complex social structure

The arrival of the Spanish

In 1521, the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines

The Philippine Revolution

The Philippine Revolution was a movement for independence from Spanish

The American Colonial Period

Japanese forces in 1945.

After the war, the Philippines became an independent nation on July 4,

The Marcos Era

In 1965, Ferdinand Marcos was elected as president of the Philippines.

The People Power Revolution

In 2016, Rodrigo Duterte was elected as president of the Philippines.

To summarize all, the Philippines’ history is marked by various struggles and

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