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During American Rule (1898–1946)
During American Rule (1898–1946)
Under American rule, the Philippines experienced rapid infrastructural and technological changes. The Americans built roads, bridges, and railway systems, connecting towns and cities for better transportation and commerce. Electricity, telegraph lines, and water systems were established in major urban centers, modernizing public life.
They promoted mechanized farming, introducing tractors and irrigation systems to boost agricultural productivity, alongside teaching scientific farming methods. American policies established public schools and trade schools nationwide, providing education in English, science, carpentry, metalwork, and electrical systems, aiming to prepare Filipinos for industrial and agricultural work.
Healthcare advanced with the introduction of Western medicine, hospitals, and sanitation practices, significantly reducing diseases like cholera and smallpox. Despite these changes, traditional crafts such as weaving, pottery, woodcarving, and metalwork remained widely practiced, especially in rural communities where indigenous technologies continued to meet local needs.
Bridges
Health and Sanitation
Public Schools and Trade Schools
Roads
Steam Engine
Telegraph Lines
During the American period, the Philippines saw major improvements in infrastructure and modernization, especially in communication and power:
The expansion of telegraph systems under American rule was a major leap in communication. The U.S. Army Signal Corps laid down thousands of kilometers of telegraph lines connecting Manila to provincial capitals and The Americans expanded the telegraph network across the archipelago, enhancing communication between islands and government centers. These telegraph lines allowed faster transmission of information, which was crucial for governance, military coordination, and economic development. It also connected the Philippines to the global telegraph network, linking it to international news and commerce.
Steam-powered transport and machinery became common during this period. Steam locomotives were intr oduced through the Manila-Dagupan Railway, improving transport of goods and people. Steam-powered boats also helped in inter-island shipping. In agriculture, steam engines were used to power mills and irrigation pumps, increasing farming productivity.
The American occupation of the Philippines brought sweeping technological advancements. Electricity changed how Filipinos lived and worked .
The Americans were instrumental in introducing and expanding the use of electricity in the Philippines. In 1903, they granted a franchise to the Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company (MERALCO), which began supplying electric power and operating electric streetcars known as tranvías. By the 1920s, streetlights illuminated parts of Manila, allowing for safer roads and longer business hours. Electricity powered not just homes but also hospitals, factories, and schools, greatly improving public health, manufacturing output, and education.
Additionally, small hydroelectric and diesel power plants were built in other parts of the country to meet growing energy demands. The electrification of urban areas also symbolized the shift from traditional to modern lifestyles, paving the way for future industrialization.
Electricity
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