Philippine-American War

In this episode, we examine the Philippine-American War, which erupted in 1899 after the United States refused to recognize the newly established Philippine Republic following its takeover of the islands from Spain. What began as conventional fighting soon transformed into a brutal guerrilla conflict marked by widespread devastation, disease, and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians. We explore the accusations of atrocities on both sides, the rise of a powerful anti-imperialist movement within the United States, and the prolonged resistance that continued beyond America’s declared victory in 1902, particularly among Moro communities. The episode also highlights how U.S. colonial rule reshaped Filipino society through the introduction of English and a new public education system, setting the stage for decades of political change leading to full independence in 1946.