Why did filipinos feel betrayed by the US government after the spanish- American War?
The Filipino rebel leaders like Aguinaldo believed that the US, after destroying the Spanish naval squadron in Manila Bay, would help them to independence from Spain. Aguinaldo was allowed to land arms shipments without US opposition, Filipino rebels and US forces cooperated for about a year after the Spanish defeat. Aguinaldo became increasingly frustrated as US authorities refused to recognize the government he declared on 12June 1898. Eventually fighting broke out in 1899. Dewey had allowed Aguinaldo to land his arms because, initially, he had very few ground forces with his naval squadron and could not secure Cavite or surround Manila until troops arrived from the US several months after his naval victory of 1 May 1898. Dewey used Aguinaldo’s forces but he had no authorization from Washington to recognize his government. By the time General Merritt’s troops arrived in July, President McKinley had decided to annex Philippines as a colony. Additionally, there was an American present
