The British Empire and the Philippine Revolution, 1896–1902

The Philippine Revolution of 1896-1902 and the transition of the archipelago from Spanish to US rule was a crucial moment in several historical developments: it marked the climax of Philippine nationalism, the loss of Spanish territories in the Pacific, and the rise of the US Empire. This talk will explore how these important events were perceived from a perspective that has been little studied by historians: that of the British settled in various Asian territories, such as the open ports of China or Singapore. It will explain how various agents of the British Empire, concerned with maintaining geopolitical dominance in the region and safeguarding their interests in the islands, reacted to the Philippine conflict and attempted to influence its development.

Laura Díaz Esteve is a Spanish historian specializing in the Philippines. Her research focuses on the 19th and 20th centuries, and her areas of interest include political history, media history, and colonial warfare. She has taught at several universities and published her research in academic journals such as Diplomatic History and Hispania Nova. Since September 2025, she has been a Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral researcher at the Spanish National Research Council in Madrid. She is currently conducting research at the Ateneo de Manila.