Decolonization in Southeast Asia

The Philippines followed the most institutionally gradual path in the region: the United States Congress had already promised eventual independence through the Tydings–McDuffie Act of 1934, establishing a transitional Commonwealth of the Philippines under Manuel Quezon, and after the disruption of Japanese occupation during the Second World War, full independence was formally granted on 4 July 1946. The new republic nonetheless remained closely tied to Washington through defense treaties and the retention of major American military bases, such as Clark Air Base and Subic Bay, well into the postcolonial period.