Summary of Spanish Colonization of the Philippines: A General Background Introduction

lasted for over 300 years

The Spanish colonization of the Philippines ________, from 1565 (the establishment of the first Spanish settlement by Miguel López de Legazpi) to 1898 (when Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States after the Spanish-American War). This long period of colonial rule significantly shaped Philippine society, economy, government, and culture.

The Arrival of the Spaniards and Colonization Discovery and Conquest (1521–1571)

• Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines in 1521 under the Spanish flag, claiming the islands for Spain.

• Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan by Datu Lapu-Lapu, a local chieftain who resisted Spanish rule.

• In 1565, Miguel López de Legazpi established the first permanent Spanish settlement in Cebu, marking the official start of colonization.

• By 1571, Spain had established Manila as the capital, making the Philippines a colony ruled by Spain.

Ferdinand Magellan, 1521

Portuguese explorer _______ arrived in the Philippines in ____ under the Spanish flag, claiming the islands for Spain.

Datu Lapu-Lapu

Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan by _____, a local chieftain who resisted Spanish rule.

1565, Miguel López de Legazpi

In ____, ______ established the first permanent Spanish settlement in Cebu, marking the official start of colonization

1571

By ____, Spain had established Manila as the capital, making the Philippines a colony ruled by Spain.

Centralized Rule

• The Philippines was governed as a colony of Spain, directly under the authority of the Spanish Crown.

• The highest-ranking official was the Governor-General, who ruled in the name of the Spanish King.

• Local governance was controlled by Spanish friars, local elites, and appointed Spanish officials.

Spanish Crown

The Philippines was governed as a colony of Spain, directly under the authority of the

Governor-General

The highest-ranking official was the ________, who ruled in the name of the Spanish King.

Spanish friars, local elites, and appointed Spanish officials

Local governance was controlled by

large tracts of land (encomiendas)

Spaniards were granted _______, and in return, they collected taxes and converted natives to Christianity.

Catholic Church

played a major role in governance, controlling education, land, and social policies.

Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits, and Dominicans

Missionary orders such as the ___________________ converted Filipinos to Christianity.

Galleon Trade (1565–1815)

• The Philippines became part of global trade through the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, which linked the colony to Mexico.

• Goods from China (silk, porcelain, spices) were traded for silver from Mexico, enriching Spanish officials and merchants.

• However, this system limited local economic development, as the economy became dependent on foreign trade rather than local industries.

Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade

The Philippines became part of global trade through the ____________, which linked the colony to Mexico.

Goods from China (silk, porcelain, spices)

were traded for silver from Mexico, enriching Spanish officials and merchants.

limited local economic development

However, this system _______________, as the economy became dependent on foreign trade rather than local industries.

The Hacienda System

• Large agricultural estates (haciendas) were controlled by Spanish friars and elites.

• Farmers (kasamá) worked under oppressive conditions, paying high rents and taxes to landlords.

Large agricultural estates (haciendas)

were controlled by Spanish friars and elites.

Farmers (kasamá)

worked under oppressive conditions, paying high rents and taxes to landlords.

1834

In ____, the opening of Manila’s port to world trade brought economic opportunities

Filipino-Chinese mestizos and ilustrados

gained wealth through agriculture and trade, forming a new middle class that would later push for reforms.

Peninsulares

Spaniards born in Spain, occupying top government and church positions.

Insulares (Criollos)

Spaniards born in the Philippines, slightly lower in rank than peninsulares.

Mestizos

People of mixed Spanish and native or Chinese ancestry; many became wealthy traders and landowners.

Principalia

Native Filipino elites who served as local officials under Spanish rule.

Indios

Native Filipinos, who were often treated as second-class citizens and subjected to forced labor and high taxes.

Sangleys

Chinese immigrants who engaged in trade and business but were often discriminated against.

farmers, fishermen, or laborers

The majority of Filipinos were ____________, struggling under the burden of taxation and forced labor.

Spanish friars

controlled education, focusing on religious instruction rather than science or philosophy

Catholicism

became deeply ingrained in Filipino culture, with religious festivals (fiestas), rituals, and traditions shaping social life.

Women

had limited rights, but some gained influence as traders, business owners, or religious figures.

Early Revolts (16th–18th Century)

• Many Filipinos resisted Spanish rule through local revolts, but these were often small-scale and easily crushed.

• Some notable revolts included:

  • Dagohoy Revolt (1744–1829) – The longest rebellion, led by Francisco Dagohoy in Bohol.

  • Silang Revolt (1762–1763) – Led by Diego and Gabriela Silang, who sought to expel the Spaniards.

local revolts

• Many Filipinos resisted Spanish rule through _______, but these were often small-scale and easily crushed.

Dagohoy Revolt (1744–1829)

The longest rebellion, led by Francisco Dagohoy in Bohol.

Silang Revolt (1762–1763)

Led by Diego and Gabriela Silang, who sought to expel the Spaniards.

Rise of Nationalism in the 19th Century

• Economic growth led to the rise of the Ilustrados, an educated Filipino class exposed to liberal ideas from Europe.

• Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano López Jaena led the Propaganda Movement, advocating for political and social reforms.

• Rizal’s novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, exposed Spanish abuses and inspired the Filipino nationalist movement.

Ilustrados

Economic growth led to the rise of the _____, an educated Filipino class exposed to liberal ideas from Europe.

Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano López Jaena

led the Propaganda Movement, advocating for political and social reforms.

Rizal’s novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo

exposed Spanish abuses and inspired the Filipino nationalist movement.

The Philippine Revolution (1896–1898)

• In 1896, the Katipunan, led by Andrés Bonifacio, launched the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule.

• Spain initially suppressed the rebellion, but continued resistance and the execution of Jose Rizal (1896) fueled the fight for independence.

• By 1898, Spain was losing control of the Philippines, and the revolutionaries declared independence on June 12, 1898.

• However, the Treaty of Paris (1898) ended Spanish rule, but instead of full independence, the Philippines was handed over to the United States, leading to a new phase of colonial rule.

1896, Katipunan

In ____, the ______, led by Andrés Bonifacio, launched the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule.

Jose Rizal (1896)

Spain initially suppressed the rebellion, but continued resistance and the execution of ________ fueled the fight for independence.

June 12, 1898

By 1898, Spain was losing control of the Philippines, and the revolutionaries declared independence on _______.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

However, the _________ ended Spanish rule, but instead of full independence, the Philippines was handed over to the United States, leading to a new phase of colonial rule.