Cooper Act and Jones Law

Take note #1

These representatives were known as resident commissioners, they could work for the interest of the Philippines but they could not vote.

Take note #2

The Philippine Assembly (Lower House) was exclusively composed of Filipinos. The Philippine Commission (Upper House) was mostly composed of Americans.

Take note #3

The two legislative chambers did not always work in harmony. The all-Filipino assembly worked for the interest of the Filipinos, while the American-dominated commission worked for the American interest. In preparing for the First Philippine Assembly, Filipinos were allowed to form political parties.

• The Federal Party supported the annexation of the Philippines as one of the states of the USA.

• The Nacionalista Party, Liberal Party, and Democrata Party - specifically the Nacionalista party campaigned for immediate independence while the others supported the step-by-step granting of independence.

Take note #4

The Filipinization of the Philippines (placing the government in the hands of the Filipinos) started with Taft and was continued by Governor-General Harrison. Many Americans retired or resigned because they did not want to be under the Filipinos.

Take note #5

The Jones Law provided that Filipinos should manage their own domestic affairs to fully prepare them for complete independence.