Philippine History Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering Philippine history from the pre-colonial era and foreign trade to Spanish, American, and Japanese colonizations, Martial Law, and the West Philippine Sea ruling.

Barter

A direct exchange of goods used by ancient Filipinos that did not involve the use of money.

Orang Dampuan

Traders from Champa (present-day Southern Vietnam) who traded with the ancestors of the Philippine archipelago.

Orang Banjar

Traders from Borneo who brought Indian culture to the Philippines.

Sistemang Barter

A system of trading gold, pearls, and agricultural products for foreign goods like silk and porcelain.

Caracoa, Balangay, and Paraw

Types of ancient vessels whose construction provided jobs to workers during the pre-colonial trading era.

Datu or Maginoo

The highest social class in pre-colonial society, consisting of leaders like Rajas or Sultans who held power and wealth.

Timawa

The middle class in pre-colonial society, composed of free people.

Alipin

The lowest social class whose status could result from debt, crime, or being captured in war.

Aliping Namamahay

A type of slave who owned their own home and property, lived outside their master's house, and served only upon specific orders.

Aliping Saguiguilid

The lowest level of slave who lived in their master's house, had no property, and could be sold.

Kamagi

A thick and detailed gold necklace worn on a bare chest by the high-ranking members of ancient Philippine society.

Galang / Ganbanes

Heavy gold bracelets worn on the arms and legs that symbolized bravery and wealth.

Panika

Golden ornaments for the hair and ears, worn as a crown or diadem.

Pusad (Pintas)

Small pieces of gold placed on the teeth as a sign of beauty and prestige.

Putong

A headgear worn by ancient Filipino men; a red color indicated the wearer had killed an enemy.

Sharif Kabungsuwan

The first Sultan of Mindanao who helped spread Islam in the region.

Sultanate

An organized system of government and religion established in Sulu and Maguindanao.

Sistemang Encomienda

A Spanish policy granting the right to collect tributes to encomenderos to simplify tax collection.

Polo y Servicios

A Spanish policy of forced labor for Filipino men to build infrastructure like roads, bridges, and churches.

Monopolyo sa Tabako

A policy established in 1782 by Jose Basco y Vargas that gave the government control over the planting and sale of tobacco.

Manila–Acapulco Galleon Trade

A major trade route (1565–1815) between Asia and the Americas, swapping Asian silk and spices for Mexican silver.

Kilusang Propaganda

A reform movement that failed due to lack of unity, financial problems, and personal issues among leaders like Rizal and del Pilar.

Katipunan

A revolutionary group founded on July 7, 1892, by Andres Bonifacio to seek independence through armed struggle.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

The agreement that transferred power over the Philippines from Spain to the United States.

Benevolent Assimilation Proclamation

A U.S. policy that contributed to the outbreak of the Philippine-American War on February 4, 1899.

Thomasites

American teachers sent to the Philippines to establish a public school system and train Filipino teachers.

Tydings-Mcduffie Act (1934)

The law that authorized the creation of the Commonwealth Government as a transition to Philippine independence.

Pamahalaang Komonwelt

The government established in 1935 with Manuel L. Quezon as President and Sergio Osmeña as Vice President.

Bataan Death March

A forced 100 km march of approximately 76,000 soldiers from Bataan to Tarlac characterized by extreme abuse and malnutrition.

Puppet Republic

The Second Philippine Republic established in 1943 during the Japanese occupation, led by Jose P. Laurel.

Hukbalahap

A guerrilla movement founded on March 19, 1942, to fight against the Japanese occupation.

Proclamation No. 1081

The decree signed by Ferdinand Marcos on September 21, 1972, placing the Philippines under Martial Law.

EDSA Revolution (1986)

A peaceful four-day protest from February 22–25 that ousted Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy.

PCA Ruling (2016)

The July 12, 2016, decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that invalidated China’s Nine-Dash Line in favor of the Philippines.