Histo 12 - Reading 3

• 1. In the late 19th century, the Philippine-American War unfolded as US troops engaged with Filipinos during a six-month period of tense interaction. US soldiers often discriminated against Filipinos, questioning their recognition as an independent state.
• 2. The Treaty of Paris marked the Philippines' exclusion from negotiations, leading to US sovereignty over the archipelago. Filipinos, led by figures like Emilio Aguinaldo and Felipe Agoncillo, continued their struggle for recognition, framing their resistance as explicitly "anti-racial."
• 3. Agoncillo, representing the Philippine Republic, sought sovereignty recognition based on "civilizational" standing. Meanwhile, Aguinaldo's successful local government reorganization showcased Filipino self-governance during this period.
• 4. The US aimed to unite the nation through racial narratives, tribalizing the republic and focusing hatred on a novel enemy, the lower-class Filipino labeled as "Gu-Gu" in colonial vocabulary.
• 5. The war's racial ideologies justified both ends and means, contrasting the Filipino race war with the US's war of civilization. The legacy of colonial violence persisted, haunting both societies in the 20th century as empire-building drew the United States and the Philippines together.
• 6. The shift from racial exterminism to terms like tutelage and assimilation marked a dramatic departure in the new regime's approach.