The Philippine War

Introduction

Brian McAllister Linn’s, The U.S. Army and Counterinsurgency in the Philippine War, 1899-1902, covers many important topics regarding the Philippine War. As the book begins, Linn first informs the reader of some key weaknesses in the viewpoints that other scholars have accepted. “It is this diversity, both in the Filipino resistance and the American response, that makes the Philippine War so fascinating” (p. xiii)

Body

The purpose for the U.S. Army to even be in the Philippines was to take Manila, which was under Spanish control. The capture of Manila would force Spain to accept peace with Cuba and also set up American occupation in the Philippines, giving order and security to the Islands. McKinley advised his military commander “to maintain a military occupation and to acquaint the Filipinos with the benefits of the American government; the solders had come “not to make war upon the people of the Philippines” but to protect them and secure their rights” (p.2).

Although the U.S. government stated they were there for the Filipino people, there was still resistance by some Filipinos. Even though McKinley’s policy was to win the respect of the Philippines, events between American soldiers and Filipino soldiers visiting the city of Manila increased the tension between the two groups. The U.S. commander demanded that all Filipino soldiers leave the city limits of Manila, which enraged the soldiers. Consequently, some of the areas in Manila were claimed by both sides. “On 4 February 1899, while serving picket duty in one of these areas, Pvt. William Grayson of Nebraska fired on a Filipino patrol that refused to answer to his challenge. In a few hours, gunfire had spread up and down the lines, the Americans had gone on t...

... middle of paper ...

...e [and] the next day you can’t find an enemy, they are all ‘amigos.’ They have hidden their rifles and may be working for you, for all you know” (p.17). The guerillas wanted to prolong the war until the U.S. Army gave up or the American public demanded a withdrawal of the troops. They were hopeful that the upcoming presidential election would bring a democratic victory and an early American military withdrawal. Their plan failed when McKinley was elected.

End

This book was extremely informative and I learned many things.

The U.S. Army and Counterinsurgency in the Philippine War, 1899-1902 is a book that I would recommend because it is extremely informative on the conflicts of the Philippine War. Linn discusses many interesting topics that others may also want to learn about. Another fascinating thing about the book is the extra information toward the end of it.