The American Government in the Philippines

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, commissions, acts, and social reforms during the American governance in the Philippines.

Philippine Commission

A group of Americans sent to investigate and gather information about the situation of the country.

First Philippine Commission

Also known as the Schurman Commision, this group was tasked to study social, political, and economic conditions in the Philippines and reported that Filipinos were not yet ready to govern.

Second Philippine Commission

Also known as the Taft Comission, it was given the power to create laws, established the Supreme Court, created a new legal code, formed the Department of Civil Service, and created the Philippine Constabulary.

Spooner Amendment

An amendment that became the key to establishing a civil government in the Philippines.

William Howard Taft

The first Governor-General of the civil government in the Philippines.

Philippine Organic Act

Also known as the Cooper Act, it gave the civil government the authority to create important departments, agencies, and administrative institutions.

Philippine Assembly

A legislative chamber composed of Filipinos.

Payne-Aldrich Act

An act that promoted free trade by allowing American products to enter the Philippines without taxes or restrictions, while maintaining limits on the amount of Filipino goods.

Underwood-Simmons Act

An act that allowed full free trade between the U.S. and the Philippines by removing all limits on exporting Filipino goods.

tranvia

A public vehicle (tram) that became common in Manila during the American period.

Philippine Aerial Taxi Co. (PATCO)

The organization that started the first commercial flight in the Philippines.

Thomasites

American teachers who arrived in the Philippines aboard the ship USS Thomas to teach in the public education system.

Pensionados

Filipino students sent to the United States to study, whose education was paid for by the U.S. government so they could become excellent teachers and future leaders.

Philippine General Hospital

A hospital established during the American period that provided free medical care to poor Filipinos.

Colonial Mentality

A mindset resulting from American influence where many Filipinos viewed American culture as superior while devaluing their own traditions.