From Spain to U.S. Rule

The Philippines fought off one colonizer just to get bought by another. Back in 1896,

a secret society called the Katipunan launched a massive revolution against brutal Spanish rule.

It got intense, especially after Spain executed the famous nationalist José Rizal.

Then the US jumped in, destroyed the Spanish navy, and helped the rebels

win. But here is the massive plot twist. Instead of granting freedom,

Spain sold the Philippines to the US in a peace treaty. The Americans took over immediately,

and the rebels realized they had been played. They didn't actually get their independence until 1946.