How the Philippines Gained Independence from the United States: The Role of the Tydings–McDuffie Act and American Racial Antagonism

The Philippines gained independence from the United States on July 4, 1946, following the enactment of the Tydings–McDuffie Act, also known as the Philippines Independence Act. This legislation provided a ten-year transition period for the Philippines to prepare for sovereignty, culminating in the writing of the 1935 Constitution and the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. However, the path to independence was intertwined with complex geopolitical and racial tensions, particularly white racial antagonism towards Filipino laborers in California.

Background and Historical Context

Long before the Philippines gained independence, American policymakers considered the issue of independence in the context of the United States' economic and racial concerns. The Jones Law, enacted in 1916, formalized the US commitment to granting independence to the Philippines. Nevertheless, it was not until 1934, with the passage of the Tydings–McDuffie Act, that the process for full independence was set in motion.

White Racial Antagonism and Economic Protectionism

The push for Philippines independence was fueled not just by the principles of self-determination, but also by practical economic and racial considerations. White racist antagonism towards Filipinos who had immigrated to California as farm laborers played a significant role in the "grant" of independence. This racist sentiment was evident in the resolutions passed by the Northern Monterey Chamber of Commerce in 1930, which sought to relocate Filipinos from California. The resolution stated that the United States ‘should send those unwelcome inhabitants from our shores that the white people who have inherited this country for themselves and their offspring might live.’

The resolutions cited several grievances against Filipinos. They were accused of disrupting the economic equilibrium by increasing the labor supply and driving down wages. Filipinos often accepted lower wages than other workers and lived simply on a subsistence diet of rice and fish, making them more competitive in the labor market. Their living conditions were also viewed as a health hazard due to overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions.

Impact on US Agriculture

White racial antagonism towards Filipinos was complemented by the opposition of American agricultural entrepreneurs who saw the duty-free importation of Philippine agricultural products, particularly from the southern states, as a significant threat to their own productions. Rep. Harold Knutson of Minnesota, for instance, declared in 1929 that 'the Philippine Islands today constitute the greatest single menace to our dairy industry because of their huge exports to our country,' indicating that the agricultural sector had a vested interest in limiting Filipino immigration and imposing quotas on Philippine imports.

Economic Protectionism and Legislative Actions

Despite the threat posed by Philippine imports, the agricultural sector and other lobbying groups, including the dairy associations, sugar growers, and cordage manufacturers, supported the move to grant independence to the Philippines. They viewed the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act, which imposed quotas on Philippine products and restricted immigration to 50 Filipinos a year, as inadequate protection.

When President Herbert Hoover vetoed the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act in 1934, the US Congress quickly adapted the Tydings–McDuffie Act, which stipulated that the President of the United States was to surrender all sovereignty and recognize the independence of the Philippines on July 4, 1946. This 10-year transition period allowed the Philippines to establish its governmental systems, including the writing of the 1935 Constitution and the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

Conclusion

The grant of independence to the Philippines in 1946 was a turning point marked by the complex interplay of economic interests and racial sentiments. The Tydings–McDuffie Act provided a framework for the Philippines' transition towards sovereignty, while the underlying racial antagonism towards Filipino workers played a crucial role in shaping the policy course. The geopolitical and racial factors that influenced the decision to grant independence highlight the intricate nature of decolonization processes in the early 20th century.

Further Reading

“The Philippines Reader” by D.B. Schirmer and S.R. Shalom (1987) “American Racial Antagonism” by Malcolm X (1964) “The Tydings–McDuffie Act and the Philippines” by Kenneth J. Willis (2009)

For more information and further reading, refer to the sources provided. Understanding the historical context and the complex dynamics that influenced the Philippines' road to independence is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of this period in history.