Philippine Revolution

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The Philippine Revolution (Template:Lang-tl), also called the Tagalog War by the Spanish, was a revolution and subsequent conflict fought between the Katipunan, a Filipino revolutionary society, and the Spanish Empire. The revolution began in August 1896, upon the discovery of the Katipunan, an anti-colonial secret organization. The conflict led to the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.

Background

The roots of the Philippine Revolution can be traced back to the Propaganda Movement, a campaign for political reforms in the Philippines that began in the late 19th century. The movement was spearheaded by Filipino expatriates in Europe, including José Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano López Jaena. Their efforts, however, failed to bring about significant changes, leading to the formation of the more radical Katipunan.

Katipunan

The Katipunan was founded by Andrés Bonifacio, Ladislao Diwa, and Teodoro Plata on July 7, 1892. The organization aimed to gain independence from Spain through armed revolt. The Katipunan spread rapidly throughout the archipelago, attracting thousands of members.

Outbreak of the Revolution

The revolution began in earnest on August 23, 1896, when Bonifacio and his followers tore their cedulas (residence certificates) in a symbolic act of defiance against Spanish rule, an event known as the Cry of Pugad Lawin. The Spanish authorities soon discovered the Katipunan's plans, leading to mass arrests and the start of open hostilities.

Major Battles

Several key battles took place during the revolution, including the Battle of San Juan del Monte, the Battle of Imus, and the Battle of Binakayan-Dalahican. These battles saw varying degrees of success for the Filipino revolutionaries.

Leadership and Factionalism

The leadership of the revolution saw significant changes, particularly after the Tejeros Convention in March 1897, where Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as the president of a revolutionary government, sidelining Bonifacio. This led to internal conflicts and the eventual execution of Bonifacio.

Biak-na-Bato and Truce

In late 1897, the revolutionaries and the Spanish government signed the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, which called for a truce and the exile of Aguinaldo and other leaders to Hong Kong. However, the truce was short-lived, and hostilities resumed in 1898.

Spanish-American War and Philippine Independence

The outbreak of the Spanish-American War in April 1898 provided a new opportunity for the Filipino revolutionaries. Aguinaldo returned to the Philippines with the help of the United States and declared Philippine independence on June 12, 1898. However, the subsequent Treaty of Paris (1898) ceded the Philippines to the United States, leading to the Philippine-American War.

Legacy

The Philippine Revolution is considered a pivotal event in Philippine history, marking the end of over 300 years of Spanish colonial rule. It laid the groundwork for the establishment of the First Philippine Republic and inspired future generations of Filipinos in their struggle for independence.

Related Pages

• Katipunan
• Andrés Bonifacio
• Emilio Aguinaldo
• Cry of Pugad Lawin
• Tejeros Convention
• Pact of Biak-na-Bato
• Spanish-American War
• Philippine-American War
• First Philippine Republic

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