The Evolution Of US-Philippines Relations In Marcos' Term From 1965 To 1986

Philippines is the first country in Asia gained its own independence after World Warâ…¡, and it is the typical model of Asian nationalism. In geographical politics, Philippines, which locates in Southeastern Asia, has great strategical significance. According Philippinal history, Marcos was the president who served the longest term and that period is the most important in the history of US-Philippines relations. This thesis essays the study of the US-Philippines relations evolution from 1965 to 1986, in Marcos'term. From the point of view of Philippines and by using its history as masterstroke, the thesis mainly focuses on the background, reasons and influence of the evolution of US-Philippines relations in concrete historied period, tries to analyse the influence of diplomatic policy change in the comparison of the relations between US and Philippines. The thesis includes the Preface and 3 Chapters. The Abstract reads as follows:The preface expounds the studying significance, present studying situation at home and abroad, the existing problems and the chief study approaches this thesis applied.Chapter One discusses the close relations between the US and Philippines before and during the time of Marcos. In 1960s, the capitalist and socialist camp separated respectively; the conflicts between two opposing extremes in the cold war became complex; the world market enlarged gradually; and the US-Philippines had greatly encroached on Philippine economy sovereignty and diplomatic power of decision. The Philippines had been the dependency of the US in politics, economy and military affairs, and the starting point for the US to start invade war. All of these carried a foreshadowing of"Cold Time"between the US and Philippines. American colonization of Philippines made the Philippines dependent on the US unequally and contradictions appear and become fierce. In the fierce internal conflicts of Philippines, Marcos began to advocate"New Society","New Republic"and stressed the political ,economic thought of"The First Philippines". While in the process of dealing with Marcos'government's external relations, in order to solve facing political and economic difficulties, Philippine government had to put into consideration its diplomatic policies towards the US and advanced"go-far-away"policies against the US as new deals.Chapter Two discusses the Philippines government sought owning way of life and got rid of the depending relations with America. Marcos asked to develop Philippine nationalism in whole Asia and considered only the complete independence of Philippines can bring the real national dignity. From this basic point, if the Philippines wants to play a real role in Asia, it must follow a owning developing way. On one hand, they thanked American set of political system; on the other hand, the unequality of the US-Philippines relations forced Philippines become"Asia Democratic Show Window". At the same time, it was Nixon's mitigate policy that offered the Philippines the oppertunity of development. In that time, Marcos implemented the policy of military control. He carried out"freedom under complete sovereignty", tried hard to raise Philippines position in international affairs and built New Asian Order vigorously; the autocratic so-called"democratic rule"speeded the fall of Marcos government. The Philippines organized ASEAN, enlarged communication and coorperation with the third world countries. Especially demanded the equal relations as an ally of America expresses that it is no longer American Satellite Country. The US-Philippines relations should be friendly and coorperation, but not subordination.Chapter Three expounds briefly the policy changing towards America and the normalization of US-Philippines relations at the end of Marcos'term. For Philippines, 1980 to 1986 was turbulent. The long autocratic rule of Marcos leaded curruption, crimes, divestment of citizen's rights and social unjustice. They were all the basic reason for the disillusionment of Marcos'dream of building"New Society"in Philippines. Besides, the assassination of Aquino was the"catalyst"which fasten the fall of Marcos'government. Otherwise, the"Asian Democratic Show Window"had fallen short of the reality by Marcos'autocrat rule. At the end of"Febrary Revolution", Regean changed American policy towards the Philippines. It really played a role in speeding the fall of Marcos'government and the peaceful transition of regime. However, the basic reason deciding the change of Philippine situation was the development of every power in Philippine government. Then, the Regean government finally gave up Marcos and turned to new political power. The transition from"Protecting Marcos"to"Replacing Marcos"was the only choice which the US made according to its own interests in Philippines. Philippine democracy received its new master and US-Philippines relations has entered into a new time. But the influence of Marcos government on US-Philippines relations and Philippine diplomatic policies will last for a long time in history.