Final answer:
The political development of the Philippines began with independent precolonial barangays, transformed under Spanish and later American colonial governments, faced upheaval during the Philippine-American War, and moved towards democratic governance before Japanese occupation during World War II. The U.S. recognized Philippine independence on July 4, 1946.
Step-by-step explanation:
Timeline of Philippine Politics from Precolonial to Japanese Period:
The political evolution of the Philippines spans from pre-colonial autonomy through periods of foreign dominance to steps toward democratic governance. The precolonial period was characterized by a collection of independent barangays (smaller kingdoms) which were governed by local chieftains known as datus. With the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, signaling the start of Spanish colonization, the political landscape shifted dramatically as Spain established the colonial government and introduced Christianity. This period lasted until 1898 when the Spanish-American War resulted in the cession of the Philippines to the United States.
During American colonization, the Philippines experienced significant infrastructural development and a gradual implementation of democratic political structures under the Taft Commission. Despite initial resistance leading to the Philippine-American War (1899-1902), American rule persisted through the first half of the 20th century. The interwar period saw brief moves toward enhanced self-governance, culminating in the establishment of the Commonwealth in 1935. This was interrupted by World War II and the subsequent Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945, where Japan attempted to establish a captive government. However, the resilience of the Filipino resistance movement and the events of the war led to the United States recognizing Philippine independence on July 4, 1946, following President Harry Truman's historic announcement.