Origins of US Imperialism and the Interest in the Philippines
The factors that caused US imperialism included beliefs in the superiority of American culture, the desire to expand into new global markets, and military ambitions. Therefore, the US was interested in the Philippines for several reasons. First, the US wanted to expand its cultural influence as imperialism was a trend among other developed countries.
Additionally, the Philippines was considered a new source of income and goods. Finally, the US wanted to show its military strength by crushing a nationalist rebellion. The US was first entangled with the Philippines after the Spanish-American War of 1898, when Spain, as a result of the defeat, ceded the Philippines to the US, which had long been its colony.
Filipino Insurgents and the Shift in American Military Strategy
The Filipino insurgents acquired a significant military advantage after switching to guerrilla war instead of a conventional one. The US army was better equipped and trained, but the Filipinos had the support of the local population, as well as the African American soldiers sent there. Therefore, the Americans were forced to change their ways of fighting in the Philippines to gain the support of local elites. They introduced social reforms, plans for economic development, and self-government opportunities. As a result, the US gained significant support from the local population, which aided them in winning the war.
Justifying Conquest: American Rhetoric and Historical Parallels
Americans justified the conquest of the Philippines by the need to protect the US business and political interests. They were concerned that other nations could take control over the country, depriving the US of a new global market. Additionally, Americans were convinced that the US had a superior culture that could help the Philippines develop and grow, as its government was inefficient.
The “First Southeast Asian War”: A Precursor to Vietnam
The similarities are evident in comparison with the Vietnam War, as the US invaded it to prevent a Communist occupation of Southeast Asia. Additionally, the invasion of Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War of 1898 has some similarities to the Filipino rebellion. Americans justified it by protecting their interests and bringing development and prosperity to the Puerto Rican people.
The situation in the Philippines compares to that in Vietnam half a century later in several ways. First, the justification for the invasion was the same as the US’s desire to protect its political and economic interests and establish control in Southeast Asia. Additionally, the US had more trained and well-equipped soldiers in both wars, which did not aid them much.
Filipino and Vietnamese troops led a guerrilla war, which resulted in a long struggle and often inefficient military activities on the part of the US. At the end of both wars, Americans used pacification strategies to gain the local population’s support. Finally, both in the Philippines and Vietnam, the US free-fire zones allowed soldiers to use any weapon without coordination with headquarters.
Patterns in US Military Conflicts: Historical Echoes
The most prominent example of a conflict bearing similarities to the Vietnam War is the Afghanistan War. The reasons for the conflict were different, but the Afghanistan invasion was also initiated to protect the interests of the US. Additionally, despite having a military advantage, American soldiers struggled to fight against the Gangani guerrilla troops.
The similarities can also be found in the Iraq War, as the US was not successful in it as well, which led to its withdrawal from the conflict. Additionally, Americans claimed that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction that threatened the security of the US. Therefore, the justification for the start of those three wars and their features are similar.
Lessons from the Philippine-American War
The most important lesson from the invasion of the Philippines is that using military force as a means of foreign policy is controversial. The US wanted to protect its interests in Southeast Asia, which led to a long and costly war with numerous civilian casualties. Despite the military advantage that the US had, it could not achieve its goals due to the characteristics of the local people and geography. Therefore, it is essential to remember that invasion cannot be an instrument of foreign policy.