How did the Philippine-American War affect the development of Philippine self-government?

The Philippine-American War (1899–1902) fundamentally shaped the development of Philippine self-government by establishing a colonial framework that ignored the existing Malolos Republic in favor of U.S.-led administrative structures. Following the conflict, the United States rationalized its hegemony by initiating a process of training Filipinos for eventual independence, though this was often driven by U.S. political agendas rather than immediate local autonomy.12

The war led to the creation of the Second Philippine Commission, which established a civil government that served as the foundation for future legislative bodies. By 1907, this evolved into a bicameral legislature with an elected Philippine Assembly, marking the first elective legislative body in Southeast Asia.12

However, this development was marked by an inherent contradiction: while the U.S. promoted democratic institutions, it transferred power primarily to the existing landed elite, which often hindered broader social and economic equality. Despite these limitations, Filipino leaders skillfully utilized these structures to advocate for independence, eventually leading to the Jones Act and the later Tydings-McDuffie Act, which paved the way for the Commonwealth of the Philippines.12