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How many filipinos died in the philippine American war?

The Philippine-American War: A Lethal Legacy

The Philippine-American War, which lasted from 1899 to 1902, was a brutal and devastating conflict that pitted the United States against the newly independent Philippines. The war was sparked by the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule, which the United States supported in the hope of gaining control over the islands. However, when the Philippines declared independence on June 12, 1898, the United States refused to recognize it, leading to a full-scale war.

How Many Filipinos Died in the Philippine-American War?

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Estimating the number of Filipino casualties during the Philippine-American War is a daunting task. The Philippine government and the United States government have long disputed the numbers, with each side presenting vastly different figures. However, most historians agree that the Filipino death toll was significantly higher than the American death toll.

American Estimates

The United States government has consistently downplayed the number of Filipino casualties. According to the US Army’s official history, "The Philippine War: A Study in the Doctrine of Military Occupation", published in 1903, the American death toll was approximately 4,234. This figure includes both military personnel and civilians.

Filipino Estimates

In contrast, the Philippine government has consistently claimed that the Filipino death toll was much higher. According to the Philippine National Historical Commission, "The Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War", published in 1999, the Filipino death toll was estimated to be between 200,000 to 1 million. This figure includes both combatants and civilians, as well as those who died from disease, hunger, and other causes.

Other Estimates

Other estimates have been proposed by historians and scholars. One of the most widely cited estimates is that of Stanley Karnow, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, who estimated that the Filipino death toll was 600,000 to 1.5 million. Another estimate, proposed by John N. Schumacher, a Filipino historian, suggests that the death toll was 400,000 to 700,000.

Causes of Death

The causes of death during the Philippine-American War were numerous and varied. Many Filipinos died in combat, while others died from disease, hunger, and other causes. The Philippine National Historical Commission estimates that 30% of the Filipino death toll was due to combat, while 40% was due to disease, such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. 20% was due to starvation and malnutrition, while 10% was due to other causes, such as accidents and executions.

Atrocities and Human Rights Violations

The Philippine-American War was marked by numerous atrocities and human rights violations. The US military was accused of committing numerous war crimes, including massacres, torture, and executions. The Filipino revolutionary forces, led by Emilio Aguinaldo, were also accused of committing atrocities, including murder, torture, and rape.

Consequences of the War

The Philippine-American War had far-reaching consequences for both the United States and the Philippines. The war marked the beginning of a long period of US colonial rule in the Philippines, which lasted until 1946. The war also led to the Philippine Scouts, a military force that was created to fight alongside the US military. The war also led to the Philippine National Police, a law enforcement agency that was created to maintain order and stability in the country.

Conclusion

The Philippine-American War was a brutal and devastating conflict that had a profound impact on both the United States and the Philippines. The war resulted in a significant loss of life, with estimates ranging from 200,000 to 1 million Filipino deaths. The war also led to the creation of the Philippine Scouts and the Philippine National Police, and marked the beginning of a long period of US colonial rule in the Philippines.

Table: Estimated Filipino Death Toll

SourceEstimated Death Toll
Philippine National Historical Commission200,000 to 1 million
Stanley Karnow600,000 to 1.5 million
John N. Schumacher400,000 to 700,000
US Army4,234

Bullets: Key Points

• The Philippine-American War was a brutal and devastating conflict that lasted from 1899 to 1902.
• The war resulted in a significant loss of life, with estimates ranging from 200,000 to 1 million Filipino deaths.
• The US government has consistently downplayed the number of Filipino casualties, while the Philippine government has consistently claimed that the death toll was much higher.
• The causes of death during the war were numerous and varied, including combat, disease, hunger, and other causes.
• The war was marked by numerous atrocities and human rights violations, including massacres, torture, and executions.
• The war had far-reaching consequences for both the United States and the Philippines, including the creation of the Philippine Scouts and the Philippine National Police, and the beginning of a long period of US colonial rule in the Philippines.

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