Final answer:
After the Spanish-American War, the Philippines were sold to the U.S. and the Filipinos fought for independence, leading to the Philippine-American War. The U.S. later recognized the Philippines as a commonwealth, and they gained full independence in 1946 following World War II.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the Spanish-American War ended, the Philippines were ceded to the United States. The Filipino people sought independence but instead faced a new colonial ruler. Subsequently, the Philippine-American War ensued as the Filipinos resisted U.S. sovereignty. Despite the efforts of leaders like Emilio Aguinaldo, the U.S. established colonial control over the islands, transitioning the Philippines to a commonwealth in 1935 and ultimately granting full independence in 1946.
The process began with the Treaty of Paris, where Spain surrendered its control of the Philippines to the US. American administrative policies, imbued with cultural stereotypes, did not consider the Filipinos ready for self-governance. The ensuing conflict resulted in significant loss of life and continued resistance. However, during World War II, the Philippines were occupied by Japan, which momentarily interrupted the quest for independence. After the war, in recognition of their struggles, the Philippines was finally granted independence by the US.