Thread by @indiohistorian

#TodayinHistory in 1898, the Mock Battle of Manila, a staged battle fought by the American & Spanish forces begins at 9:45 am and ends at around 4:00 pm with the Spanish surrender of #Intramuros (#Manila). Filipinos were not allowed to capture the city. (THREAD) #PH #history

Previously, the U.S. Asiatic Squadron of Admiral George Dewey reached out to Emilio Aguinaldo, who was exiled in Hong Kong, to lead the resumption of the #PH Revolution against Spain, as the American fleet engaged the Spanish Navy docked in Cavite.

https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1262690497786593280?s=20

On 1 May 1898, the U.S. Asiatic Squadron decimated the Spanish navy in Cavite, sinking 8 Spanish ships, leading to the Spanish fleet's surrender. From then on, Americans began amassing forces in Manila Bay from San Francisco almost unimpeded.

https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1264905717925810176?s=20

Filipinos were successful in the resumption of the revolution since May, gaining ground. They had Intramuros surrounded. While the prev Spanish gov-gen was relieved of duty for negotiating w/ the Filipinos, new gov-gen Fermín Jáudenes initiated secret negotiations w/ US fleet.

Jáudenes, seeing the futility of defending a walled city under siege, w/ many Spanish residents in Intramuros fearing for their lives, secretly negotiated w/ the Americans to have a battle staged to make it appear that the city was defended, while avoiding casualties.

There were also racist undertones here, as the Spanish admin in Manila would never accept surrender at the hands of Filipinos. Americans agreed. At 9:45 am US ships Olympia & Petrel fired upon Malate, w/ American forces advancing on land. Filipinos, unaware, joined the fight.

U.S. Gen. Francis V. Greene directed Filipino forces besieging Intramuros, led by Gens. Pio del Pilar, Mariano Noriel, and Artemio Ricarte, to stand aside, making it impossible for Filipinos to immediately take the city. At 10:25 am, a white flag was raised south of Intramuros.

At around 4:00 pm, the Spanish flag in Intramuros was taken down, & the U.S. flag raised. Despite the planned battle engagements, 49 Spanish & 6 American soldiers were killed. From then on, Manila came under American control. The actions taken confirmed Mabini's suspicions.

Unknown to the American & Spanish forces in Manila, a Protocol of Peace bet. Spain & the U.S. was already drafted on 10 August, & signed around the time the staged battle ensued. The news came late, as Dewey cut off the cable lines bet. Hong Kong & Manila.

https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1293490854611415041?s=20

Photo credits:

- Raising of the U.S. flag over Fort Santiago, Harper's Pictorial History of the War w/ Spain (1899)
- Reducto de San Pedro, Intramuros (c. 1898), John Tewell Collection
- USS Olympia in 1899,
&
- Olympia's US flag flies in Intramuros Aug 1898, from @USNHistory

@tonitiemsin @subselfie