The Philippine-American War On Children In The Philippines

Douglas MacArthur once said, “Once war is forced upon us, there is no alternative than to apply every available means to bring it to a swift end. War’s very object is victory – not prolonged indecision.” (http://www.goodreads.com/). Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army and was also Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s. He played a massive role in the Pacific during World War II. This quote relates to how powerful wars are and how they can have tremendous impact on the country. The Philippines is an example of a country whose people had been greatly impacted during the Philippine-American War, which took place between 1899-1902. People were affected by the war, most especially children. During the war, the government changed their education system, and children grew up frightened of being drafted to fight in the war. Although the Philippine Islands are not vast, their history of going to war to fight for freedom is long. This paper will discuss the battles fought, the education changes made, and the effects the history of the wars had on children in the Philippines.

During the 1890s and the 1900s, there were many battles and wars. This has put great strain and effects on children in the Philippines. The rule of Spain in the Philippines had collapsed during this time. This led to a Philippine Revolution as well as the Philippine American War. The first battle of the Philippines dated back to August 30, 1896. Andres Bonifacio, a man who had established the organization of Katipunan, had chosen to attack the Spanish Arsenal in San Juan del Monte, known today as the city of San Juan in Metro Manila. He became the leader of the Philippine Revolution. This revolution ev...

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...ing? Well, the Philippines was the first major land campaign fought by the United States outside of the Western Hemisphere. The Philippine-American War can be considered the first conflict that was “Imperialistic” for America. When discussing on the topic of wars, it is important to know the effects they can have on the country, but most importantly the people. With this in mind, it will definitely bring people to think more. These events have had great impact on the children of the Philippines. Many have had experiences, some of which they can never forget, and it is never really talked about. People like Curtis have had horrific experiences, hearing the loud noises, seeing the news, violence, starving, facing many diseases and being separated from family. These events have had tremendous impact on the people, yet these people will do anything for their country.