American Period (1898- 1946)

Background

 The relative ease with which the United States dispatched the Spanish squadron in Manila Bay
was only the beginning of what would become a nearly 50-year American presence in the
Philippines.
 President McKinley’s strategy going into the conflict was to take as much of the Philippines as
possible and then, during peace negotiations, to only “keep what we want.”
 From an administrative standpoint, McKinley envisioned the Philippines as an American
protectorate or an American colony.
 Like many people on the mainland, he believed Filipinos were incapable of self-government and
did not want another foreign power to take over the islands.
 The decision to keep the Philippines during the Treaty of Paris that the Senate approved in
February 1899 set off an intense and emotional debate across the country and on Capitol Hill.

Period of Re-orientation (1898-1910)

 Even during the war, the Americans established public school system in areas that have been
pacified. English language was used as medium of instruction in public schools as early as 1900
in the Corregidor Island.
 The first English teachers were the American soldiers stationed in various areas.
 Later on, the professional teachers arrived via US Army transport ship “USS Thomas” hence,
these pioneering teachers were called “Thomasites.”
 These Thomasites established numerous public Elementary, Secondary and Tertiary schools
throughout the archipelago.
 They established the University of the Philippines with Murray Bartlett, a Thomasite, as the First
President; which was the first to use English language in the higher education.
 They also established Philippine School of Arts and Trades, Philippine Normal School, Silliman
University and Xavier University, in the Visayas and Mindanao.

The rule of the United States over the Philippines had two phases.

The first phase (1898 to 1935)

 Colonial mission as one of tutelage and preparing the Philippines for eventual
independence. (Washington)
 The ilustrados formed the Federalista Party
 In 1905 the party was renamed the National Progressive Party and took up a platform of
independence.
 In 1907 the Nacionalista Party was formed and dominated Filipino politics until after
World War II. Its leaders were not ilustrados.
 Despite their “immediate independence” platform, the party leaders participated in a
collaborative leadership with the United States.
  A major development emerging in the post-World War I period was resistance to elite
control of the land by tenant farmers, who were supported by the Socialist Party and
the Communist Party of the Philippines.

The second period (1936 to 1946)

 The establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and occupation by Japan

during World War II.
 In 1934 a legislation passed by the U.S. Congress provided for a 10-year period of
transition to independence. The country’s first constitution was framed.
 In 1935 it was overwhelmingly approved by plebiscite, and Manuel Quezon was elected
president of the commonwealth.
 In 1944 Quezon later died in exile and was succeeded by Vice President Sergio Osmeña.

Forms of Literature

The literary genres that flourished during the American Period were:

 Poetry - was written in the three languages - Filipino, Spanish, English.

 Short stories - short stories in English of early Filipino fictionists are marked with
American style. This all changed with the founding of the U. P. Writers Club in 1926
whose aim was to enhance and propagate the "language of Shakespeare."
 Sarswela - a musical comedy or melodrama three acts which death and men's passion
and emotions.

Forms of Philippine Literature during the American Period:

 Poetry - noteworthy names in this field, they wrote in free verse, in odes and sonnets and in
other types. Poetry was original, spontaneous, and competently written and later incorporated
social consciousness.
 Publications - the philippine free press provided the first incentives to Filipino writers in English
by offering prizes to worthwhile contribution. Other publication followed the suit.
 Newspapers were published during the American period and were primarily established to
continue the fight for freedom after the defeat of the Filipino forces against the Americans.
o El Nuevo Dia (The New Day) – established by Sergio Osmena in 1900. American sensors
banned this newspaper and threatened Osmena with banishment.
o El Grito del Pueblo (The Call of the Nation) – established by Pascual Poblete in 1900.
o El Renacimiento (The Rebirth) – founded by Rafael Palma.
 Plays during the American Period

o Kahapon, Ngayon, Bukas (Yesterday, today and tomorrow) by Aurelio Tolentino

o Tanikalang Ginto by Juan Abad
o Malaya by Tomas Remigio
o Walang Sugat by Severino Reyes
Examples of Literature

 “Sursum Corda” by Justo Juliano

  “My Mother” and “Air Castles” by Juan F. Salazar
 Air Castles synopsis
 Juan F. Salazar is represented at the poem as a writer who has a desire
to become better in his craft.
 The poem tells about the author’s dream to become a better writer in
the future. His ambition helps him to survive his daily struggles and it
motivates and inspires him in his life.
 This poem is about having a dream and fulfilling our dreams.
 “To my Lady in Laoag” by Proceso Sebastian
 "Dead Stars" by Paz Marques Benitez
 "Azucena" by Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion

Well known authors

Julian Cruz Balmaceda (28 January 1885–18 September 1946)

 From Orion, Bataan, Philippines

 Was a Filipino poet, essayist, playwright, novelist, journalist and linguist. He made several works
written in Filipino, English and Spanish languages.
 WORKS : Ang magsasaka, Kung mamili ang dalaga

Benigno "Ben Ruben" Ramos y Pantaleón (February 10, 1892 – disappeared 1946)

 Was a Filipino author, writer, organization founder, politician and was an advocate for the
independence of the Philippines from the United States who collaborated with Japan.
 Educated in Bulacan, Ramos went to work there as a teacher.
 WORKS: Mga Agam-agam at Iba Pang Tula.

Lope K. Santos (25 September 1879 – 1 May 1963)

 "Father of the Filipino Grammar" and was a Filipino Tagalog language writer and former senator
of the Philippines.
 He is best known for his 1906 socialist novel, Banaag at Sikat and to his contributions for the
development of Filipino grammar and Tagalog orthography.
 WORKS: Ang Matampuhin (The Sulker). Banaag at Sikat

Jane Austen (1775 – 1817)

 Jane Austen is perhaps the best known and best loved of Bath’s many famous residents and
visitors.’
 One of the greatest English writers – some say the greatest after Shakespeare – and certainly
the greatest English novelist and one of the most famous English women who ever lived.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

 Charles Dickens was an extraordinary man. He is best known as a novelist but he was very much
more than that.
  He was as prominent in his other pursuits but they were not areas of life where we can still see
him today.
 We see him as the author of such classics as Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Great Expectations,
A Tale of Two Cities, Bleak House and many others. He was so prolific that we’ve pulled together

Common Themes

 Many writers discussed things like slavery, Manifest Destiny, the frontier, wars, battles, and the
strength of the American spirit through all of the trials.
 There are also revolutionary political speeches and documents that that inspired topics on
which to write.
 For example, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and presidential speeches
 These discusses themes of freedom, liberty, hard work, and a belief and
dependence upon God.
 These themes have shaped debates, law suits, society, and education throughout America's
history and continue to do so today.