Filipino Insurgencies (1899-1913): Failures to Incite Popular Support

The Philippine-American War and Moro War demonstrate the failure of an insurgency to achieve objectives if there is a lack of support from the populace. The American occupation of the Philippine islands in 1898 provoked sentiments of anti-imperialism among the populace. The result was a hastily organized guerilla campaign that led to the Philippine-American War 1899-1902. The insurgency of the Moro War attempted to unite the populace to force the withdrawal of the United States. During both wars, American commanders and forces adapted policies and objectives to counter the insurgency and gain the support of the local population. This monograph examines the strategy of the insurgency campaigns for the insurrectos and Moro insurgents. The decentralized organization, lack of resources, and objectives created conditions that weakened the insurgency. The inability of the insurgencies to gain support from the populace resulted in the absence of effort to fight the invading American military.