Mandate in the Moroland by Peter Gordon Gowing

Mandate in Moroland: The American Government of Muslim Filipinos, 1899-1920

Hi there.

I went to the library yesterday and looked for books that would give me background on American colonization in the Philippines vis-a-vis the Bangsamoro. I found this one by Peter Gordon Gowing at the Filipiniana section.

This book narrates and explains the intent of the American colonization to the Bangsamoro. It points out that the Philippines are not theirs "to exploit, but to develop, to civilize, to educate, to train in the science of self-governement."

If  I consider Majul to be in authority when it comes to Spanish and Pre-Spanish history of the Muslims, I consider this book to be the best in Muslim History during the American period.

Mindanao Reader notes:

The Americans developed the policy what they called the "policy of attraction" and that succeeded where military occupation and incessant warfare failed.p4

Americans brought to Moroland their western concept of the separation between the sacred and the secular.p323

The "Moro problem" continues to be an obstacle to the proper economic and political development of Mindanao and Sulu and impedes the national integration. The "Moro problem" requires the expenditure of funds and energy which the Philippine Republic can ill-favored.

Moro-Christian Filipino unity, envisioned by Rizal and others, stoutly defended in Filipino nationalism, carried forward by the American government of Moroland and still cherished by Filipinos of good will, also requires immediate and extensive repair. p344