Effects of American Colonization in the Philippines

The effects of American imperialism on the Philippines are numerous. Some, however, stand out, most notably the installation of an American-style democracy and the prevalent attitude that anything American is “good”. Many of those in lowland Philippines, and most of the Christian population, for that matter, grew up in an increasing Americanized society. The following American influence in the Philippines says it all:

Political
-Partisan politics was one of the influences of the Americans on our government. Partisan politics means a politics that is devoted to or biased in support of a certain party, group or cause. Another effect of Americans in the government is the implementation of municipal elections. But after the creation of bicameral legislature, the election in the Philippines turned to be like the election of the Americans. Electors began to spend a lot just to win the election, and they began to think of their own personal welfare instead of the welfare of the Filipino people. Thus many of the American’s political practices were soon found in the Philippine archipelago. But this doesn’t mean that Americans contributed negative effects on our government but instead we learned the intricate machinery of the government, we learned how to make and governs laws.

Economic
Economic and Livelihood
-The economic development of the Philippines under the Americans can be attributed to free trade relations that the Americans imposed upon the country. Philippine products were also allowed to enter American markets free of duty within quota limits.

Social/ Cultural
Transportation
-A lot of transportation was introduced by the Americans to the Philippines, some are submarine, caretellas, railways, ancient bull carts, cars, etc.

Social Structure
-Americans introduced the three class-models which includes the rich (wide array of elite groups), middle class (ambiguously defined social classes) and the poor (group that suffers from poverty).

Arts, Culture and Tradition
-Filipino people began to adopt the American fashion statement using hats, long sleeved clothes and long sleeved polo inside it with matching neck ties for men. Another is the art of Oil Paintings which is the process of painting with pigments that are bound with a medium of drying oil. Red Blood Paint was also introduced which is a dark paint,also known as alizarin crimson chool.

Education
System of Education
-Schools were built for the Filipino citizen that teaches about the good formation including the rights and responsibilities of each person. Teachers were also present in the person of the Thomasites.

Religion
-During the Spanish colonization, the Filipino people were forced to convert their religion into Christianity (Roman Catholic). But after the colonization of the Spanish, Americans came and changed the religion into Protestantism which was the religious beliefs of the Americans. But later on, the Americans adopted the Roman Catholic Christianity after its invasion in the Philippines on July 4, 1946. Another is the establishment of the Iglesiani Cristo Church by Felix Manalo. And Jehovah’s Witnesses started to preach from one house to another.