The Philippine Revolution of 1896 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Philippine Revolution of 1896 - Essay Example To begin with, Joaquin (36) argues that the main reason why the uprising commenced was as a result of Aguinaldo’s success in the battlefield. He makes it clear that the defeat of Bonifacio dampened the spirits of the rebels and they subsequently quit and returned to their homes. It was the success of Aguinaldo that made them take up arms again and join the revolt. Therefore, the revolution would have died were it not for the successes of Aguinaldo. On the other hand, Ileto states that the Kaputinan led by Bonifacio started the revolution to free themselves from oppression. Bonifacio’s followers were made up of the lower classes such as the blue-collar workers while Aguinaldo’s faction was made up of the educated middle class. Even after his (Aguinaldo) surrender, the masses under the Katipunan continued to wage guerrilla warfare. In light of this, it is clear that they both agreed that no significant revolutionary or event has ever succeeded without the active support and involvement of the masses or involvement of different social classes. Thus, the Philippines revolution was pushed forward mainly by the masses (Ilustrados, provincial gentry, urban office workers, the urban working class, peasants) (Joaquin 36). But unlike Bonifacio, Aguinaldo did not realize the decisive role the masses had from the onset. It is only after his defeat that he came to acknowledge this concept. Even though the guerilla’s economic development was inferior compared to its oppressors, they succeeded and won major battles by only relying on the inexhaustible and vast power of the masses, arousing their freedom and revolutionary positiveness to annihilate the Spanish.