History of the Philippines

In 1521, the first Europeans under Ferdinand Magellan explored the Philippines. Then, in 1542, a Spanish exploration party named the group of islands, the Philippines, in honor of Prince Philip, later Philip II of Spain.

Spain retained possession of the island until 1899 when the United States received the Philippines through the Treaty of Paris under the Spanish American War. Meanwhile, the Filipinos desired independence because they were tired of being ruled by foreigners and as a result initiated guerrilla warfare against the US under Emilio Aguinaldo. For the United States, the subjugation of the people of the Philippines became a massive project that consumed more money and lives than the Spanish American War. In 1901, General Frederick Funston ended the insurrection through the capture of Emilio Aguinaldo. However, the question of independence burned on in the hearts of the people and Emilio Aguinaldo became a national hero. (image from www .encarta .com)

In 1913, when the Democrats came into power in the White House, they desired a smooth transition to self-rule for the Philippines. The Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934 provided that the Philippines would be completely independent by 1946. In the period between 1934 and 1946, the Commonwealth of the Philippines formed under US supervision with Manuel Quezon y Molina as president. The people of the Philippines approved the selection of the president and the newly written constitution.

On December 8, 1941, foreign invasions by Japan interrupted the way of life in the Philippines once again. Quezon established a government in exile in Washington DC due to the fall of General Douglas MacArthur's forces at Bataan and Corregidor. Under the Japanese occupation, an inefficient puppet government under Jose P. Laurel was set up. Many Filipinos suffered at the hands of Japanese brutality.

However, in 1944, Vice President Sergio Osmena became president and returned to the Philippines with the first liberation forces at Leyte. The great victory at the battle of Leyte Gulf destroyed the Japanese fleet and the people of the Philippines took back Manila and their country. The Philippines achieved full independence in July 1946 and Manuel Roxas became president with the help of the Nationalist Party. He was succeeded by Elpidio Quirino (1948-53), Ramon Magsaysay (1953-57), Carlos P. Garcia (1957-61), Diosdado Macapagal (1961-65) and Ferdinand E. Marcos (1965-86). Under these presidents, Philippines maintained a firm anti-Communist policy and developed a working relationship with the United States.

On September 21, 1972, Marcos declared martial law, charging that a Communist rebellion threatened, and created a new constitution that made him president beyond his right to remain in office. There was growing civil unrest and tension during his term of office. Territorial disputes over Sabah, the need for land reform, and increasing violence plagued the government of the Philippines. Civil war also threatened Mindanao, where groups of Moros,who were Muslims, opposed Christian settlements. Martial law remained until January 17, 1981.

Government corruption was an increasing problem. On August 21, 1983, opposition leader Benigno S. Aquino was assassinated. There was growing suspicion that Marcos ordered the assassination. Out of this turmoil, the People Power movement under Corazon Aquino, wife of the late leader, gained strength.

Marcos set up presidential elections for Feb. 7, 1986 where both Marcos and Corazon Aquino declared themselves the winner. Anti-Marcos protests exploded in Manila where the Marcos party was accused of fraud and vote-rigging. As a result, Marcos fled the country and retreated to the US.

The Present: People Power, Strife, and new Hope

The Aquino government faced many problems from coup attempts to economics difficulties. Aquino was succeeded by military general Fidel Ramos, who launched a economic revitalization plan. The US also ended its long standing military presence. Under his rule, Muslim discontent ran high. The Moro National Liberation Front fought for Mindanao, an Islamic homeland. In 1996, the group compromised with the government for more political autonomy. However, violent strife continued with the Moro National Liberation Front, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, another rebel group, and the government. In August 2001, they signed unity agreements with the government.

After Ramos, Joseph Estrada, a former film star, was elected president. However, in November 2000, he was impeached on corruption charges and Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo, daughter of former president, Diosdado Macapagal, became president.