Traveling Tuesday: The Philippines
An archipelagic country, the Republic of the Philippines consists of 7,681 islands which are categorized into three geographical divisions from north to south: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Manila is the country’s capital. At 9,692 feet, Mount Apo is the highest mountain, and the Cagayan River, at 320 miles is the longest river. According to Wikipedia, the country is located on the “western fringes” of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonic belt of volcanos and earthquakes, which results in lots of seismic and volcanic activity. One source indicated that approximately five earthquakes are recorded daily, but most are too weak to be felt.
Overseas trade and immigration brought a mixture of people groups to the country. Then Ferdinand Magellan arrived beginning Spanish colonization. The country was named las Islas Filipinas in honor of King Philip II by Spanish explorer Ruy López de Villalobos. More Hispanic settlers arrived from Latin America and Iberia.
A fight for independence from Spain, the Philippine Revolution, commenced in 1896, then became part
of the Spanish-American war in 1898. With U.S. victory, the country was ceded to America and became a territory. Still desiring independence, the revolutionaries again rose up starting the Philippine-American war that lasted until 1902. As time passed, various laws were enacted such as the Philippine Organic Act that created the Philippine Assembly, elected by Filipino men (women did not yet have the right to vote.) In 1916, the Philippine Autonomy Act declared U.S. intentions to grant eventual independence.
Then came World War II. Immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese landed on Batan Island (not Bataan Peninsula) located about 120 miles from Luzon. Additional landings occurred over the next few days and included an attack on Mindando. Two weeks later, the main attack began as more than 43,000 men landed along the east cost of Lingayen Gulf. The U.S responded with B17s and submarines but had little effect. According to one source the poorly trained and equipped troops were unable to repel the landings or “pin the enemy on the beaches.”
U.S. troops retreated into Bataan, and the Japanese closed in and surrounded them. Months of brutal fighting occurred resulting in thousands of deaths, and on May 6, Lt. General Jonathan Wainwright asked for terms of surrender. Ten generals were part of the surrender, and five more were captured. It would be nearly three years before the U.S. returned and liberated the country. The Philippines were granted independence in 1946.
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The American World War II Home Front in 29 Objects:
Unlike Europe the American mainland escaped physical devastation during World War II as it was not subjected to full-scale invasions. However, that didn’t mean the United States wasn’t impacted by the war. The ramifications of large economic, cultural, and societal changes forced Americans to reconsider entrenched beliefs and traditions.
Artifacts collected from across the nation tell the stories of the American people whose lives were shaped by this second “war to end all wars,” World War II.
Purchase link:
https://books2read.com/u/47pLxR
Photo Credits:
Map of Philippines: Google
Philippine Troops: By Unknown photographer - Duty to Country (Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project) - https://exhibition.dutytocountry.org/colonial-period/philippine-american-war/, Public Domain.
General Douglas MacArthur: By U.S. Army Signal Corps officer Gaetano Faillace. Public Domain.
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