As the 19th century gave way to the 20th, there followed in quick succession the Philippine Revolution, which spawned the short-livedFirst Philippine Republic, and the Philippine–American War. Aside from the period of Japanese occupation, the United States retained sovereignty over the islands. After World War II, the Philippines was recognized as an independent nation. Since then, the Philippines has had an often tumultuous experience with democracy, which includes a People Power Revolution overthrowing a dictatorship. The nation's large population size and economic potential have led it to be classified as a middle power. It is a founding member of theUnited Nations, World Trade Organization, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and East Asia Summit.