Notes

The Philippines has an incredibly complex history of colonization and influence from foreign nations, with the United States playing a large role in shaping our nation's future, thus I believe it's important to talk about the pros and cons of their influence over the years.

The United States acquired the Philippines from Spain in 1898 as part of the Treaty of Paris that followed the Spanish-American War. This lasted until 1946 when our country finally gained independence. During this period, the Philippines underwent many changes that continue to influence the country today.

The Pros

First off, they had a large influence on our country's education and language. This is shows in how the U.S. introduced a public education system and English as the main medium of communication/teaching. This clearly shows itself today, large in part to the Philippines' high English proficiency, making it a prime example of outsourcing and global communication. American colonialism also introduced many of it's own democratic principles and institutions, shaping the Philippines into a democratic nation. Which continue to show itself in our modern politics today, for better, or for worse. And finally, the U.S. invested in infrastructure development, which includes roads, bridges, and different transportation systems, which laid the groundwork for economic growth and urbanization.

The Cons

The US's influence led to the erosion of Filipino culture and values. Westernization and the loss of the Philippine's indigenous languages and traditions are still evident today, being pushed to the wayside. Next, we talk about the land reforms that were not effectively implemented during the American colonial period, resulting in a concentration of landownership among the elite. This has contributed to present-day income inequality and land disputes. Following this, Our country remains a strategic location for U.S. military bases, leading to political and security challenges. Finally, we have our horrendous economic dependance on The U.S., which established trade patterns that made the Philippines reliant on American markets. Making a dependency that we have been continuously unable to overcome, resulting a debt we are unable to pay. (OBVIOUSLY, this is large in part to our country's own continuous "mishandling" of it's funds, but I am arguing that the US, at the very least, had a hand in influencing it).

The impact of American influence on the Philippines endures. The Philippines' political system, democratic institutions, and education system are rooted in the American colonial period. However, challenges such as income inequality, cultural identity loss, and political tensions stemming from the U.S. military presence persist. And in the end, the US has a large influence on our country that continuously shows itself today, with both positive and negative consequences. While the legacy of democracy, education, and infrastructure development persists, so do the challenges of cultural erosion, economic dependency, and political instability. Understanding this historical influence is crucial for comprehending the Philippines' current socio-political and economic landscape.

References:

Agoncillo, T. A. (1990). History of the Filipino people. Garotech Publishing.
McCoy, A. W. (2009). Policing America's empire: The United States, the Philippines, and the rise of the surveillance state. University of Wisconsin Press.