The Philippine Islands were first conquered by the Malays, the original inhabitants being the Negritos, but became a Spanish colony during the 16th century. As a result Catholicism became the dominant faith there and then as a result of the Spanish-American War the islands were ceded to the United States. The Malays wanted an independent country and rebelled, but the rebellion was crushed. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth and in 1946 an independent country with American influence down to the system of government.
