In an effort to win the hearts and minds of the people, the Americans divided Mindanao into five provinces, wherein each province is administered by American officials. These provinces include: Cotabato, Davao, Sulu, Lanao and Zamboanga. The Americans took advantage on the existing political system familiar to the Muslim Filipinos wherein major datus became ward chiefs while the minor datus became sheriffs, deputies and judges. Several American-held forts were established to discouraged further uprisings.