Savage Wars of Peace: Case Studies of Pacification in the Philippines, 1900-1902
Abstract
Consider the following: The United States is engaged in what some political and media leaders call an immoral war, a war that did not have to be fought. After a relatively easy initial conquest, the U.S. Army finds itself faced with armed resistance to U.S. occupation. U.S. strategic goals have changed since the war began; domestic political opposition increases as insurgent activities prolong the war. Insurgent leaders monitor U.S. domestic politics and adjust their strategy accordingly. U.S. Army Soldiers adapt to the uncertainty and employ novel techniques to complex military and nonmilitary problems in a land where they are strangers and about which they have little understanding. Does this sound familiar? It should, but this description does not depict events from 2003 to 2007 in the Middle East -- it describes events from 1898 to 1902 in the Philippines. This Occasional Paper analyzes case studies from two key Philippine military districts and highlights several themes that are relevant to today's ongoing operations in the Long War. Between 1899 and 1902 the U.S. Army was successful in defeating Filipino resistance to American occupation using what military leaders at the time called a combination of attraction and coercion. However, success came only after initial setbacks, disappointments, and significant changes in leadership, military strategy, and political adaptation. In the two regions of the Luzon Island analyzed in this paper, Army leaders employed a mix of political and economic incentives combined with military actions and strict martial law to subdue the resistance. The geographic isolation of the insurrectos on the Philippine archipelago also was an advantage for U.S. forces. The capture of key insurrecto leaders provided critical intelligence, and their post-capture pledge of support for the new government helped break the resistance by 1902. This work highlights the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and cultural understanding.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA474912
Entities
People
- Robert D. Ramsey Iii
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College