What is this, Book Five?

hngh

"History is written by the victors." This quote, more often than not attributed to Winston Churchill, does indeed wield a semblance of truth in it. Those victorious have been prompt to record an array of events in a way that glorifies themselves and belittles their opponent. It is because of this evident habit in Man's history, that words are warped, twisted, and manipulated so that the per se facts are nothing more than a compilation of sugar-coated words. One such event some may possibly think of that matches such a description, for certain, would be the so-called Vietnam War. However, it is not the only controversial situation that has occurred in American history. In actuality, a conflict prior to the Vietnam War took place between the United States of America and the First Philippine Republic; known by a variety of names, but properly labeled as the Philippine-American War. Now is the time to take into consideration the effects caused by this severely overlooked conflict, for it is the oft-ignored events and occurrences within history that portray the most significance and influence of human nature. Frankly put, the sort of impact as a result would inevitably be that of a large scale.

In order to elaborate upon such a notion, one must first and foremost retrace Man's steps through the passage of time, towards the near beginning of this particular event and observe the situation from the get-go. Prior to this conflict, Spain ceded it's long-lasting colony of the Philippines to America during the Treaty of Paris in the Spanish-American War. With the addition of Filipinos, who have always experienced an immense struggle of national identity, fighting emerged just two days before US senate could ratify the treaty; this initiation of rebellion of nationalists, who strived for the independence of their people in contrast to a mere change of colonial monarchs, was led by Emilio Aguinaldo, who also declared the island of Luzon as the First Philippine Republic. Additionally, the decision to annex the Philippines arose among the US senate as a retaliation to the increasing resistance. Although this was met with domesticated controversy, each side having their own variety of reasons. Most of those who opted for the annexation, did not simply desire just the commercial opportunities in Southeast Asia that the Philippines held, but claimed that Filipinos were incapable of self-control and the fear of another power claiming the archipelago as well. Then there were those who opposed the idea, reasoning ranging from morals to the claimed fear that non-white Filipino would eventually partake in the national US government. It was during this debate of politicians that Aguinaldo seized control of the island Luzon and established the First Philippine Republic. In short, the overall case of this war, as can be seen, was such uncannily akin to that of America's Revolutionary War against Great Britain.

Furthermore, this war consisted of two essential phases. The first portion was dominated by Aguinaldo's admittedly unsuccessful attempts to fight a conventional war against America's better-trained and well-equipped troops, which lasted from February to November, 1899. The second phase was marked by the shift of battle tactics, from conventional to guerrilla warfare (November of 1899 to the spring of 1902). A fatal error conducted on Aguinaldo's behalf, for his men were far being up to par with that of American forces, and thus the efforts towards a conventional war resulted in the downfall of the First Republic. The war officially ended a year after Aguinaldo's capture in 1901, when President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the conflict over. However, minor conflicts against against American rule occurred sporadically afterwards. And yet, the aftermath may have been quite successful were the order of sued tactics had been reversed; then the Philippines may have subsequently rose to be another major power.

On the other hand, one evident argument would be that the fact that this event has been ignored to begin with. For it is rather common for one to shut out what they may deem insignificant, although this is only the case with America and ignorant, less educated, generations of Filipinos blinded by the advertised paradise of first world nations; those unaware of their homeland's great history and spirit. That aside, there are a large array of details on both parties behalf that have been relatively left out by most historians of that era. Details which could in fact enlighten one's self as to what truly conspired. For example, most American historians have glorified the victory of their nation and greatly expanded on the losses the First Republic suffered. Nevertheless, such articles bear more falsities rather than truth, and this is because both main parties were afflicted with drastic losses. Another essential point would be a fact most American historians have attempted to hide, something which has repeatedly occurred after the nation's independence: the United States of America were the initial instigators in the beginning conflicts. Also, another overlooked observation would be the bravery and "nationality heroism" Filipinos sported, knowingly fighting a futile war yet still resisting with all their might.

In conclusion, let it be known and digested the overall impact a war such as this would have on a people's character and general self. For without this event, the ever-present struggle the Philippine people have had, questioning and seeking a sense of national identity, would not have further came into light among the residents of a whole. Thus, without the after effects, the Philippines would not be the independent nation it is in the modern day, were it not for the nationalists of the First Republic who paved the way.