Overview
The lecture covers the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, examining its historical context, key events, colonial government structure, economic systems, religious influence, and social impacts.
Historical Context & European Exploration
- The fall of Constantinople in 1453 led Europeans to seek new trade routes to the East.
- Papal decrees (Inter Caetera) authorized Spain and Portugal to colonize new lands.
- Columbus’ voyages began Spanish expansion in the Americas; Magellan’s westward journey reached the Philippines in 1521.
- Treaties of Tordesillas (1494) and Zaragoza (1529) divided new territories between Spain and Portugal.
Spanish Arrival & Colonization of the Philippines
- Economic motives, navigational advances, and Christianization spurred European exploration.
- Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition reached Samar on March 16, 1521, naming the area Archipelago de San Lazaro.
- The first mass in the Philippines occurred at Limasawa, and the first baptisms in Cebu.
- Magellan was killed at the Battle of Mactan by Lapu-Lapu; only one ship, Victoria, completed the circumnavigation.
- Ruy Villalobos named the islands Las Phelipinas for Prince Philip II.
- Miguel Lopez de Legazpi led the 1565 Spanish expedition, establishing settlements in Cebu and Manila (1571).
Colonial Government Structure
- Spain established a centralized government, uniting independent barangays into a single nation called "Filipinas".
- The King of Spain ruled through the Viceroy of Mexico (until 1821), then via a Governor General.
- Local governments included provincial units (Alcaldia and Corrigimiento) and towns (pueblos) led by gobernadorcillos.
- The Reducción system consolidated native villages into centralized towns.
- The Royal Audiencia served as the highest colonial court.
Economic Systems & Taxes
- Filipinos paid tributes (tributo), tithes (diezmos prediales), and special taxes (Donativo de Zamboanga, Vinta).
- Forced labor (polo y servicios) required males to work up to 40 days/year; exemption was possible by paying "falla".
- The Bandala system forced farmers to sell produce to the government, often impoverishing them.
- The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade and Tobacco Monopoly enriched Spain but neglected local industries.
- The Encomienda system allowed Spaniards to collect taxes and govern parcels of land, often leading to abuses.
Religious, Social, and Educational Impacts
- Missionary orders (Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans, Recollects) spread Catholicism.
- Fiestas became common as Christian socio-religious celebrations.
- San Agustin Church is the oldest in the country.
- The 1863 education decree mandated schools for boys and girls in each town.
- The University of Santo Tomas (1611) and other institutions were established.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Reducción — policy of centralizing native populations into towns for control and conversion.
- Encomienda — land parcel governed by an encomendero who collected taxes and promoted Christianity.
- Tributo — annual tax as a sign of loyalty to Spain.
- Polo y Servicios — forced labor system for public works.
- Royal Audiencia — highest colonial court in the Philippines.
- Galleon Trade — Manila–Acapulco trade route monopolized by the government.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review chapter summary questions: Spanish establishment in the Philippines, European context, and the Philippines’ situation before colonization.
- Read assigned chapters from Cushner, Elliott, Phelan, and Rafael.
- Prepare for discussion on the social, economic, and religious effects of Spanish rule.