Annexation of the Philippines
Library of Congress: American Memory
Aguinaldo: Freedom Fighter
UCLA Department of History: Aguinaldo Chronology
Description: The decision of whether to annex the Philippines after the Spanish-American War was one of the most vexing of McKinley's administration. American students rarely hear about the "freedom-fighters" led by Emilio Aguinaldo and what the Filipinos considered to be an act of betrayal by American forces after they had helped the American forces in the fight to liberate the Philippines from Spain. These paired resources contextualize that conflict and give students an opportunity to examine Aguinaldo's career in the light that people of the Philippines still regard him--that of an important Filipino patriot and freedom fighter.
Teaching Tips:
"Do Now" Suggestion
- Have the students brainstorm about the idea of allegiance. As a learning journal entry, ask them to define this concept as it relates to patriotic sentiment and governing powers. Then ask the students if there is ever a situation in which it is appropriate to align one's allegiance with an opposing power in order to preserve one's true allegiance to one's home nation and culture.
- In examining the Aguinaldo chronology, ask the students to identify and explain the three turning points in Aguinaldo's life where his allegiance to a governing power changed. In small groups, have them discuss possible patriotic motivations for these changes.
- Using the chronology on the Library of Congress website, have the students identify the major events in United States-Filipino relations during this conflict. Students should highlight the ways in which the United States acted subversively to advance its own imperialistic interests. Finally, have the students analyze the United States' final decision about the annexation of the Philippines and the negative effects U.S. presence in this nation may have had.
