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In 1898, when the United
States bought the Philippines from Spain, Americans had to fight the
Filipino rebels. The main purpose of the Americans was to prepare the
Filipinos for independence when the people are ready. At this era, the
Americans redistributed church-owned lands but most of the lands went to
large landowners. There was effective aid provided by the Americans for
better health care and sanitation. There was also the widespread use of
the English language which brought better unity.
There
were also access to the American manufactured goods that led the nation
to neglect its own industrial development. The Filipinos focused on
mining and exporting crops. The Philippine currency was stable. The
building of roads was increased. Shipping access within the island
enabled the landowners to take advantage of free-trade privileges. A
U.S.-based economy had evolved.
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In
1935 the Filipino people accepted a U.S. offer of sovereignty to follow
a ten-year interim under a commonwealth status. The first president of
the Commonwealth of the Philippines was Manuel Quezon. In December 1941,
Japan attacked the island of Luzon. |
