American Datu: John J. Pershing and Counterinsurgency Warfare in the Muslim Philippines, 1899-1913

by Ronald K. Edgerton

Overview

American Datu: John J. Pershing and Counterinsurgency Warfare in the Muslim Philippines, 1899–1913 provides a play—by—play account of a crucial but often overlooked period in the development of American counterinsurgency strategy. Tracing Pershing's military campaigns in the Philippines, Ronald K. Edgerton examines how Progressive counterinsurgency doctrine evolved in direct response to the first sustained military encounter between the United States and Muslim militants. Pershing de—emphasized so—called civilizing efforts and stressed the practicality of building relationships with local Moro leaders and immersing himself in Moro cultural practices. In turn, Moros elected him as a fellow datu, or chief, and Pershing came to realize a fundamental principle of counterinsurgency warfare: one size does not fit all, and tactics must be molded to fit the specific environment.

In light of Pershing's military success, this study calls for a reevaluation of the more invasive counterinsurgency methods used by US officers against Muslim militants today, and it addresses the important role the Philippine–American War played in developing modern US military strategy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813188263
Publisher:	University Press of Kentucky
Publication date:	03/08/2022
Series:	Battles and Campaigns
Pages:	374
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.97(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Ronald K. Edgerton is professor emeritus of history at the University of Northern Colorado. He previously lived in the Philippines, first as a Peace Corps volunteer and later as a Fulbright Scholar. He is the author of People of the Middle Ground: A Century of Conflict and Accommodation in Central Mindanao, 1880s–1980s.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Pershing and Early Counterinsurgency among Maranao Moros, 1902
The Mailed Fist of Progressive Counterinsurgency: Pershing's Lake Lanao Campaigns, 1902—1903
Seeking Balance in the Scaffolding of Progressive Counterinsurgency
Leonard Wood and Counterinsurgency in Lanao and Cotabato
Comparative Counterinsurgency and the Moros of Jolo
Hard War in Jolo
Learning to Live with Accommodation
John Pershing and Full—Spectrum Counterinsurgency in Moro Province, 1909—1913
Declaring Victory
Progressive Counterinsurgency and COIN

What People are Saying About This

Patricio N. Abinales

"This fraught and fascinating biography of Pershing in the Philippines gives a glimpse of the voices of Filipino Muslims as they engaged the governing American military officers. It also establishes Pershing's tactics as the forerunner of today's counterinsurgency strategy associated with General David Petraeus."

From the Publisher

"Few people understand the history of Mindanao under American rule as well as Edgerton does. He deftly describes the conflict from both sides, explaining the Moros' perspective alongside US efforts to gain control. Edgerton shows with fascinating detail how John Pershing's 'progressive' approach to governing clashed with traditional, often racist calls for harsh military action and made way for modern counterinsurgency tactics. This book draws you in; you do not want to put it down." — Kenton Clymer, author of A Delicate Relationship: The United States and Burma/Myanmar since 1945

Kenton Clymer

"Few people understand the history of Mindanao under American rule as well as Edgerton does. He deftly describes the conflict from both sides, explaining the Moros' perspective alongside US efforts to gain control. Edgerton shows with fascinating detail how John Pershing's 'progressive' approach to governing clashed with traditional, often racist calls for harsh military action and made way for modern counterinsurgency tactics. This book draws you in; you do not want to put it down."

Editorial Reviews

This fraught and fascinating biography of Pershing in the Philippines gives a glimpse of the voices of Filipino Muslims as they engaged the governing American military officers. It also establishes Pershing's tactics as the forerunner of today's counterinsurgency strategy associated with General David Petraeus.

Patricio N. Abinales

Few people understand the history of Mindanao under American rule as well as Edgerton does. He deftly describes the conflict from both sides, explaining the Moros' perspective alongside US efforts to gain control. Edgerton shows with fascinating detail how John Pershing's 'progressive' approach to governing clashed with traditional, often racist calls for harsh military action and made way for modern counterinsurgency tactics. This book draws you in; you do not want to put it down.

Kenton Clymer