Philippine-U.S. Relationship

Due to the winding down of the Cold War, the uncovered election fraud, and the Revolution in the Philippines, the U.S. revoked its long-standing support of Marcos.

Original Intentions

Historian Melvyn Leffer argued that regardless of a country's leader, the U.S. was willing to support anyone to prevent the expansion of Soviet Control (Leffler).

The 1947 Truman Doctrine provided economic and political support to those the U.S. believed were susceptible to communism, so they could “foster a world environment in which the American system [of democracy] can survive and flourish” (Leffler).

Reaction to Snap Election

Following the SNAP Election, the U.S commented on the democratic violations:

“the recent Presidential elections in the Philippines were marked by such widespread fraud that they cannot be considered a fair reflection of the will of the people of the Philippines” (United States Congress, Senate).

- Resolution agreed to in U.S. Senate, vote count 85-9, February 16, 1986

“[the election was] marred by fraud and violence perpetrated largely by the ruling party” (Santiago).

- President Ronald Reagan

Eventual Withdrawal

As the Cold War wound down c.1985, U.S. reliance on anti-communist countries to prevent the spread of communism in Asia decreased. The U.S. no longer had to support Marcos' corrupt regime and ruin their public perception in the Philippines.

In order to prevent further violence, the U.S. withdrew from the Philippines.

“We cannot continue our existing military assistance if the government uses that aid against other elements of the Philippine military which enjoy substantial popular backing” (Speakes).

- U.S. Principal Deputy Press Secretary Larry Speakes, February 23

“[President] Reagan eventually sent word...that it was time to ‘cut, and cut cleanly,’ signaling that Marcos no longer had the backing of his most powerful ally” (Sanchez).

- Mark John Sanchez, Harvard lecturer on history and literature

On February 25, 1986, Marcos and his family fled to Hawaii with U.S aid. Immediately after, Aquino was sworn in as President of the Philippines.

Seeing the instability, and no longer needing political aid, the U.S. withdrew their military support and facilitated the removal of Marcos from office.