The conflict between the Philippines and the United States became possible due to the victory of the latter in the war against Spain in April-August 1898. The Philippines, trying to use the defeat of Spain, which had ruled the Far Eastern archipelago since the XVI century, tried to declare its independence. The Americans, who did not want to lose the newly acquired territory, began an armed intervention against the young Philippine Republic on February 4, 1899.

It is interesting that a year before these events, the Americans supported the desire for freedom of the Filipinos in their struggle against Spain and supplied weapons to the island rebels. However, in 1899, the first clashes between the rebels and Americans took place on the San Juan River near Manila, where the Filipinos suffered a crushing defeat.

The initial stage of the war lasted until early 1899 and was stopped only because of bad weather in the region. However, in a few months, the Americans sent a new military contingent to the "anarchic country". By the end of 1899, it became clear that the only way out for the newly created Philippine Republic in the fight against a much superior enemy was guerrilla warfare. Moreover, it was expected that the opponents of the war with the Philippines would come to power in the United States. However, the new President of America Theodore Roosevelt continued the war. Quite quickly, the Americans captured the leader of the Philippine rebels, who in early April 1902 signed an act of surrender and recognized the protectorate of the Americans. The American side declared the end of the war on July 4, 1902. However, fighting with the rebels continued for many years. The key factor was also the Muslim factor, the latter inhabited one of the largest islands of the Philippine archipelago - Mindanao and did not want to lay down their arms. This conflict was remembered for the cruelty on both sides, punitive actions and the death of a significant number of civilians.