The+USA+and+the+Philippines+-+A+Model+state?

The Philippines provides an interesting example of the post war US policy of 'nation building' or 'model states' in practice. The Model State policy in essence tried to create states in Asia, Latin America etc. which were:
 * Introduction**
 * democratic
 * capitalist/anti-communist
 * pro American and anti-USSR

This policy was part of the wider strategy of containment, given more theoretical justification in the 1947 Truman Doctrine. However this policy was not without its tensions and contradictions - clearly evident in the post war development of the Philipipines. You will already have assessed how successful US policy was in post war Japan. This online unit will allow you to explore how successful US policy was towards the Philippines. Work through the reading, take notes and think critically about the questions posed. Finally post your response to the core question on the discussion forum. You will be expected not only to put across your point of view, giving appropriate evidence to back it up, but also critically engage with the posts of other members of the discussion forum. The e-learning facilitator [i.e. Mr Webb/Mr Hall] will also weave between the posts and summarise the discussion as it progresses.
 * The Unit**
 * The Unit**

1. **First watch the YouTube clip** below which gives some background information on the first president of the republic of the Philpppines, Manuel Roxas [1892-1948] media type="youtube" key="pVV837w7qEc" height="170" width="210" align="center"
 * Tasks**
 * //What interpretation does it give of Roxas?//**


 * 2. Now read Randall pages 22-25 and take notes on the post-war Philippine experience grouping your notes around the following questions:**

a. What interpretation is given of Roxas rule in the Philippines to 1948? b. Why did the US side with the Filippino government against the Huks in 1949-51? c. Describe the relationship between the USA and the Filippino government in the period 1945-51. [Hint- read the sources on page 25] d. What contradictions can you find within the policy of 'model states' in the Filippino experience?

3. **Now watch the testimony of Luis Taruc**, a former Huk, who gives a fascinating insight into the tensions that existed between the Roman Catholic Church, the Spanish landlord elite, the position of the US government and the Filipino peasantry. media type="youtube" key="u5GCLfJePxs" height="170" width="210" align="center"
 * How does Taruc's intepretation of events fit with what you already have seen and read?**


 * 4. Compare the clip with the wikipedia article on the Huks** which can be found [|here!] [Also worth dipping into the wikipedia discussion]
 * How does this interpretation differ to the textbook??**

Interested in setting up your own online History forum- see Mr Hughes for permission rights to edit your own page!
 * 5. Finally post your response to the question on the discussion forum which can be found [|here]**
 * ps...**