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How did Emilio Aguinaldo assist the fight against Spanish rule in the Philippines?
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Spanish-American War
Theodore Roosevelt leading the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, 1898; print created by Kurz & Allison.
Emilio Aguinaldo played a pivotal role in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. As a local leader of the Katipunan, a revolutionary society, he fought successfully against Spanish forces.1
Following a period of exile, Aguinaldo coordinated with American representatives and Commodore George Dewey to return to the Philippines and assist the United States during the Spanish-American War. Upon his return in May 1898, he announced the renewal of the struggle against Spain. His efforts led to significant advancements for the independence movement:1
- Provisional Government: He helped establish a provisional republic and became its president.1
- Declaration of Independence: On June 12, 1898, Filipinos declared their independence from Spain.1
- Ratification: In September 1898, a revolutionary assembly met and formally ratified Filipino independence.1
Although Aguinaldo cooperated with the U.S. to defeat Spain, the subsequent Treaty of Paris ceded the Philippines to the United States, leading to the Philippine-American War.1