The paternalistic rule of the Americans brought man benefits and they were quite successful in Americanizing the Philippines. Many American teachers arrived and increase literacy. In 1935, Philippine Commonwealth was declared with Manuel Quezon as president. The USA promised that the Philippines would become completely independent in 1945.
However; after Japan bombed Pearl Habour on December 8, 1941, war was declared Japanese troops invaded the Philippines. They captured Manila and by 6 May 1942 all of the Philippines were in Japanese hands. However American troops returned to the Philippines in October 1944. They recaptured Manila in February 1945.
The Philippines became independent on 4 July 1946 with Manuel Roxas as the first president of the newly independent nation.