The philippine ten-year transition period before the granting of complete independence from the americans

General
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the philippine ten-year transition period before the granting of complete independence from the americans.

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What was the Philippine ten-year transition period before the granting of complete independence from the Americans?

Answer:
The Philippine ten-year transition period, also known as the Commonwealth period, was a crucial phase in the history of the Philippines that prepared the nation for complete independence from American rule. This transition period was stipulated in the Tydings-McDuffie Act (officially known as the Philippine Independence Act) enacted by the United States Congress in 1934. Here is an in-depth look at this significant period:

1. Background and Context:

  • Spanish-American War and Treaty of Paris (1898): The Philippines became a territory of the United States following the defeat of Spain in the Spanish-American War. The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1898, transferred control of the Philippines from Spain to the United States.
  • American Colonization: The period following the Spanish-American War was marked by American colonization, which included military governance and efforts to establish a civilian government in the Philippines. This was met with resistance and led to the Philippine-American War.

2. The Tydings-McDuffie Act (1934):

  • Legislation Overview: The Tydings-McDuffie Act, sponsored by Senator Millard Tydings and Representative John McDuffie, outlined a framework for the Philippines to transition to full independence after a ten-year transitional period.
  • Provisions of the Act:
    • The establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, a semi-autonomous government that would have internal control while the United States retained some oversight, particularly in matters of defense and foreign policy.
    • The election of a Filipino president and a legislature to govern the Commonwealth.
    • The formation of a constitution for the Commonwealth of the Philippines, which was ratified by Filipino voters in 1935.

3. The Commonwealth Period (1935-1946):

  • Formation of the Commonwealth: On November 15, 1935, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was inaugurated, with Manuel L. Quezon as its first President and Sergio Osmeña as Vice President. The Commonwealth’s government had significant autonomy, with Quezon focused on various reforms to prepare the country for full independence.
  • Government Structure:
    • The Commonwealth had an executive branch led by the President and a bicameral legislature consisting of the National Assembly (later the Congress of the Philippines with separate Senate and House of Representatives).
    • Judicial reforms were also instituted to ensure a fair and independent judiciary system.

4. The Road to Independence:

  • Economic and Social Reforms: The Commonwealth government implemented numerous policies to develop infrastructure, improve education, boost the economy, and promote social welfare. These reforms were aimed at strengthening the nation’s capacity for self-governance.
  • Challenges during World War II: The occupation of the Philippines by Japanese forces during World War II disrupted the transition process. The Commonwealth government operated in exile from 1942 to 1945, and the Philippines suffered significant damage and losses during the war.
  • Post-war Recovery and Final Steps: After the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation in 1945, efforts were redoubled to rebuild the nation and complete the transition to independence.

5. Granting of Complete Independence (1946):

  • Declaration of Independence: On July 4, 1946, the United States formally recognized the independence of the Republic of the Philippines. This momentous event marked the end of American colonial rule and the beginning of the Philippines as a sovereign nation.
  • Independence Day: The Philippines initially celebrated July 4 as Independence Day, but later changed the celebration to June 12 to honor the declaration of independence from Spain in 1898.

Final Answer:
The ten-year transition period before the granting of complete independence to the Philippines was defined by the Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934, which established the Commonwealth of the Philippines. This period aimed to prepare the nation for full sovereignty with a structured timeline, leading to the official independence being recognized on July 4, 1946. This phase involved significant political, economic, and social reforms, ultimately shaping the modern Republic of the Philippines.