Question

After Spain's defeat in the Spanish-American War in 1898, the Philippines ________.

• A. became an independent republic with a democratic constitution.
• B. ceased to exist as a political entity, becoming a string of independent islands.
• C. fought against the United States to gain independence but became a U.S. colony.
• D. stayed within the strategic orbit of Spain.
• E. became the first satellite nation of the Soviet Union.

Answer 1

The correct option is C fought against the United States to gain independence but became a U.S. colony.

The United States would not relinquish control of the Philippines after the Spanish-American War. In response, Filipinos waged an unsuccessful war for independence. President McKinley argued that he was helping a people not yet ready for self-government, but having a toehold in Asia and its markets probably also entered into the calculations. The Philippines continued to exist as a political entity (B), albeit as a U.S. colony, and did not become independent (A) until 1946. Spain had little influence in the area after relinquishing control of the Philippines as a result of the Spanish-American War (D). Eastern European countries, not the Philippines, became satellites of the Soviet Union following World War II (E).