THE AMERICAN LEGACY In consonance with the President’s William McKinley Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation, the United States introduced to the Philippines a regime of democratic partnership under which the Philippines played the role of junior partner. Developments were focused for progress. Almost every phase of Filipino life felt the imprint of American influence. However, side by side with these positive results were the economic dependence of the Philippines to United States, distorted sense of values, and partial loss of the racial heritage. Largely, there is this so-called continuance of colonial mentality.