Timeline of Philippine sovereignty

See also: Philippines and History of the Philippines

This article presents a timeline of the sovereignty of the Republic of the Philippines, showing transitions of sovereignty over the Philippine archipelago. It also lists invasion attempts and insurgency movements from the pre-Hispanic period to the present.

Timeline

Timeline of Philippine Sovereignty

Period	Sovereign Entity	Invasions and Insurgencies
Archaic epoch	None Philippines as one whole national entity was non-existent. Islands comparable to Greece composed of numerous sovereign and independent chiefdoms, several minor kingdoms and thalassocracies such as the Kedatuan of Madja-as, the rajahnates of Cebu and Butuan, Sultanates of Maguindanao, Lanao and Sulu who were all already engaged in trading with the Chinese, Japanese, Malaysians, Indonesians, the Arabs and the Indians. Considered by Western nations as territorium nullius (an expression deriving from Roman Law meaning "empty land," or "land belonging to no one").	The Cordillera region was unified after the long clan wars between the Clans and tribes of Ifugao and Kalinga warlords because of land resources. This unification established the culturally homogeneous society which led to the building of the Banaue Rice Terraces. Sri Lumay conducted a Rebellion against the Maharajah of the Chola Dynasty and established the Rajahnate of Cebu. In 1500, Bruneian Empire attacked Palawan, Huangdom of Ma-i (the island of Mindoro) and Kingdom of Tondo. Tondo was defeated in 1500 and Brunei deposed the Senapati Lakan Sukwu, establishing Kota Seludong and installing Rajah Sulayman as its puppet ruler.
1521–1565	Spain In 1521, explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed in the Philippines and claimed the islands for Spain	Lapu-Lapu, a local datu (native chief) of Mactan island close to Cebu, killed Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan. In 1529, Spain claimed dominion over the Philippine archipelago on the basis of Magellan's discovery, a valid mode of acquisition at the time.
1565–1599	Spain Miguel López de Legazpi forced the Treaty of Cebu on Rajah Tupas, which effectively gave Spain suzerainty over Cebu. From Cebu, Legaspi expanded Spanish rule across the Philippines, taking possession of Manila for Spain in 1571.	Dagami Revolt (1567), Manila Revolt (1574), Pampangos Revolt (1585), Conspiracy of the Maharlikas (Luzon), Tondo Conspiracy (1587–1588), Revolts Against the Tribute (1589), Magalat Revolt (1596) Further information: Philippine revolts against Spain
1599–1762	Spain Referendum of 1599 legitimised Spain's sovereignty.	Battles of La Naval de Manila, a series of five naval battles between Spanish and Dutch forces in 1646. Further information: Eighty Years' War Igorot Revolt (1601), Chinese revolt of 1602, Irraya Revolt (1621), Tamblot Revolt (1621–1622), Bankaw Revolt (1621–1622), Isneg Revolt (1625–1627), Cagayan Revolt (1639), Ladia Revolt (1643), Zambales Revolt (1645), Pampanga Revolt (1645), Sumuroy Revolt (1649–50), Pintados Revolt (1649–1650), Zambal Revolt (1660), Maniago Revolt (1660), Malong Revolt (1660–1661), Ilocano Revolt (1661), Chinese revolt of 1662, Panay Revolt (1663), Sambal Revolt (1681–1683), Tingco plot (1686), Rivera Revolt (1718), Magtanĝaga Revolt (1718), Caragay Revolt (1719), Dagohoy Rebellion (1744–1829), Agrarian Revolt (1745–1746) Further information: Philippine revolts against Spain
1762–1764	In dispute between Britain and Spain. The British Occupation happened between 1762 and 1764 during the Seven Years' War. Only the colonial capital of Manila and the nearby principal port of Cavite were taken by the British.	Silang Revolt (1762–63), Palaris Revolt (1762–1765), Camarines Revolt (1762–1764), Cebu Revolt (1762–1764), Dabo and Marayac Revolt (1763), Isabela Revolt (1763) Further information: Philippine revolts against Spain
1764–1872	Spain	Lagutao Revolt (1785), Ilocos Norte Revolt (1788), Magtanong and Malibiran Revolt (1787), Nueva Vizcaya Revolt (1805), Ambaristo Revolt (1807), Ilocos Norte Revolt (1811), Sarat Revolt (1815), Bayot Revolt (1822), Novales Mutiny (1823), Parang and Upay Revolt (1822–1835), Pule Revolt (1840–1841), Camerino Revolt (1865–1869), Labios Revolt (1870–1871), Cavite Mutiny (1872) Further information: Philippine revolts against Spain
1872–1892	Spain	The Ilustrados "enlightened ones" constituted the Filipino educated class during the Spanish colonial period in the late 19th century. Mostly based outside the Philippines, they helped mold the flame of a united Filipino nationalism and identity in the islands. Almost all previous insurgencies were tribal, provincial and regional in nature.
August 1892 – November 1897	Spain	The Katipunan The group, formed in 1892, became an insurgent revolutionary movement in August. The exact date is disputed, held to be either on August 13 with the tearing of cedulas or on August 24 with the "Cry of Pugad Lawin". This begins what is generally called the Philippine Revolution. January 1895 – Andrés Bonifacio assumes Supreme Presidency of the Katipunan. August 1896 – The Katipunan Supreme Council was reorganised into a "cabinet" of an insurgent revolutionary government. The Katipunan and its successor insurgent movements regarded themselves as legitimate governments from this point onwards. August 25 – Andrés Bonifacio is elected Supremo/President of the Katipunan.
March 1897 – November 1897	Spain	The Tejeros Republic March 22, 1897 – Emilio Aguinaldo is elected President by Katipunan attendees of the Tejeros Convention. He was sworn in and assumed the office despite Bonifacio having annulled the convention proceedings.
November 1897 – December 1897	Spain	The Republic of Biak-na-Bato Established as an insurgent constitutional republic on November 2, 1897, with Aguinaldo as President. This insurgent government had a constitution, President, Vice President, etc., and succeeded the Katipunan Insurgency.
December 1897 – April 1898	Spain	None December 14, 1897 – Signing of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, suspending the insurgency. Aguinaldo and other insurgent leaders went into voluntary overseas exile.
April 1898 – May 1898	Spain	Central Executive Committee April 1898 – General Francisco Makabulos forms the insurgent General Executive Committee of Northern Luzon, intended to be a provisional government "until a general government of the Republic in these islands shall again be established." This insurgent government had a constitution, President, Vice President, etc.
May 1898 – June 18, 1898	Spain	Unofficial dictatorial government headed by Aguinaldo May 1, 1898 – Hostilities between the U.S. and Spain commenced in the Philippines. 19 May – Aguinaldo returns to the Philippines. 24 May – Aguinaldo announces in Cavite, "... I return to assume command of all the forces for the attainment of our lofty aspirations, establishing a dictatorial government which will set forth decrees under my sole responsibility, ..."
June 18, 1898 – June 23, 1898	Spain	Official dictatorial government headed by Aguinaldo June 12, 1898 – Independence is proclaimed in Kawit by the Dictatorial Government of the Philippines. June 18 – Aguinaldo proclaims dictatorial government.
June 23, 1898 – August 14, 1898	Spain	Revolutionary government headed by Aguinaldo June 23, 1899 – Aguinaldo issues proclamation replacing his dictatorial government with a revolutionary one.
August 14, 1898 – December 10, 1898	In dispute between the U.S. and Spain August 14, 1898 – The day after the surrender of Manila to their forces, General Wesley Merritt established a military government over portions of the country under American control.	Revolutionary government headed by Aguinaldo
December 10, 1898 – January 22, 1899	United States December 10, 1898 – Spain cedes the Philippines to the United States. January 1/2, 1899 – Acting Spanish Governor-General Diego de los Ríos returns to Manila from Zamboanga. January 4 – U.S. General Elwell Otis issues proclamation announcing the United States as having obtained possession and control of all of the Philippines from the Spanish.	Armed activities temporarily halted by the Filipino revolutionary forces.
January 22, 1899 – April 11, 1899	United States	Malolos Republic January 22, 1899 – Promulgation of the Malolos Constitution. Replaces Aguinaldo's insurgent revolutionary government with the Malolos Republic, also known as the First Philippine Republic, with Aguinaldo as President. Although the republic never received foreign recognition, Filipinos consider Aguinaldo to be the first president.
April 11, 1899 – June 2, 1899	United States February 6, 1899 – Treaty of Paris is ratified by the U.S. Senate. March 19 – Treaty of Paris is ratified by the Queen-Regent of Spain. April 11 – Following exchange of treaty ratifications between the U.S. and Spain, the Philippines became an Unincorporated Territory of the United States.	Malolos Republic, also known as the First Philippine Republic
June 2, 1899 – April 19, 1901	In dispute between United States and the Malolos Republic On June 2, 1899, undeclared general hostilities between U.S. and Philippine forces having been ongoing since February 4, the Malolos Republic promulgated a Declaration of War against the United States, thereby officially beginning the Philippine–American War. Emilio Aguinaldo, President of the Malolos Republic, was captured by U.S. Forces on March 23, 1901. Aguinaldo signed a formal surrender document on April 19, 1901, acknowledging and accepting the sovereignty of the United States throughout the entire archipelago. Following the American forces taking control of Jolo on May 18, 1899 and at Zamboanga in December 1899, Moros resisted the Americans as they had the Spanish in what is termed the Moro Rebellion.	Insurgencies in the northern and southern Philippines Malolos or the First Philippine Republic in the north Moro rebels in the south
April 19, 1901 – 1902	United States	Gen. Miguel Malvar, successor of Aguinaldo continued the fight until he surrendered in 1902. Clashes with Moro rebels continued in the south. Several groups collectively known as Irreconcilables continued fighting the United States military, the Philippine Scouts, or the Philippine Constabulary. These included remnants of the Katipunan and other resistance groups.
1902–1907	United States	Tagalog Republic In 1902, General Macario Sakay, a veteran Katipunan member, established his own Tagalog Republic (Tagalog: Repúbliká ng̃ Katagalugan), and held the presidency with Francisco Carreón as vice president. In April 1904, Sakay issued a manifesto declaring Filipino right to self-determination at a time when support for independence was considered a crime by the American occupation forces in the Philippines. The republic ended in 1907 when Sakay and his leading followers were arrested and executed by the American authorities as bandits.
1907–1913	United States	No organized insurgency Scattered resistance to U.S. rule continued. Regional scale resistance continued based on the First Republic’s platform but had no centralized leadership.
1913–1935	United States	No organized mass resistance but small pockets of defiance still persisted coming mostly from various religious sects, sakdalistas and die-hard republikanos.
1935–1941	United States The Commonwealth of the Philippines, still under U.S. sovereignty, was inaugurated on November 15, 1935. The enabling legislation, the Tydings–McDuffie Act, provided for a ten-year period of transition to full independence.	Small segments of opposition continued from a new front, mainly from the legal nationalist and labor groups.
1941 – March 29, 1942	In dispute between the United States/Commonwealth of the Philippines and Japan/Republic of the Philippines Japan invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1941. Philippine Executive Commission, provisional government
March 29, 1942 – September 2, 1945	In dispute between the United States/Commonwealth of the Philippines and Japan/Republic of the Philippines Japanese forces occupied the country between 1942 and 1945. During the occupation period, the Philippines Commonwealth maintained a Government in Exile in Australia and, later, in Washington, D.C. There was a Second Philippine Republic, which was declared independent in 1942. An Allied campaign to defeat Japanese forces commenced on October 20, 1944, and hostilities continued until the war's end with the Japanese surrender in August 1945.	Hukbalahap On March 29, 1942, peasant leaders determined to oppose the Japanese invasion met in a forest clearing at the junction of the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Nueva Ecija to organize a resistance movement against the Japanese invaders. The movement was designated Hukbó ng Bayan Laban sa Hapón (People's Army Against Japan) or Hukbalahap.
September 2, 1945 – July 4, 1946	United States On September 2, 1945, representatives of the Empire of Japan signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. The instrument contained language explicitly accepting the Potsdam Declaration, which contained language limiting Japanese sovereignty to the four main Japanese islands and other minor islands as might be determined.	Hukbalahap and the short lived/progressive political party, Democratic Alliance (DA).
July 4, 1946 – 1954	Republic of the Philippines On July 4, 1946, the United States recognized the independence of the Republic of the Philippines as a separate self-governing nation.	Hukbalahap.
October 16, 1947 – 1947	Mangsee Islands and Turtle Islands On October 16, 1947, the United Kingdom transferred the administration of the Mangsee Islands and the seven Philippine Turtle Islands to the Philippines. Before that the islands were under Philippine sovereignty but United Kingdom administration.	Hukbalahap which later changed its name to "Hukbong Magpapalaya ng Bayan" (People's Liberation Army) or simply "Huks". On May 17, 1954, Luis Taruc, leader of the Hukbalahap/Huk movement, surrendered unconditionally and announced that he "unreservedly recognized the authority of president Magsaysay and the sovereignty of the republic of the Philippines."
1954 – Present	Republic of the Philippines	None, or See Notes

See also

• History of the Philippines
• List of unofficial Presidents of the Philippines
• Communist insurgency in the Philippines

Bibliography

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