Consequences of the Spanish Colonization - Vocabulary Flashcards

Key terms and their meanings covering major topics from the Spanish colonization period in the Philippines.

Natives became vassals to Spain

Natives lost their freedom and were subject to Spanish rule, paying tribute and performing labor under colonial authority.

Tributo

Tax paid by natives to the colonial government (tribute).

Polo

Forced labor where natives aged 16–60 were required to work 40 days per year for the colonial government; exemption possible by paying a fee (falla).

Cedula tax

Tax replacing the tributo in 1884 as the colonial revenue source from natives.

Central Government

A centralized colonial administration established in the Philippines under Spanish rule.

Flow of Command

Hierarchy: King of Spain > Governor General > Alcalde Mayor > Gobernadorcillo > Cabeza de Barangay.

Governor General

Highest colonial official in the colony; first was Miguel López de Legazpi, later rulers included Diego de los Ríos.

Royal Audiencia

The highest court in the Philippines to check abuses by colonial officials.

Residencia

Post-government investigation of a governor general’s acts conducted by his successor.

Visita

Secret inquiry into the actions of top colonial officials.

Pacified provinces (Alcaldia)

Provinces under Spanish control headed by an Alcalde Mayor.

Unpacified provinces (Corregimentos)

Resistance areas headed by military corregidores.

Ayuntamiento

Cities governed by a town council; Cebu (1569) and Manila (1572) mentioned in notes.

Pueblos

Towns; basic unit of local administration.

Encomienda

System granting land and income rights to encomenderos who governed people living on it and supported missions.

Christianization

Introduction and establishment of Christianity as the enduring legacy of Spanish rule.

Religious Orders (Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans, Recollects, Benedictines)

Catholic religious groups active in missionary work in the Philippines, established between 1565 and 1895.

Three vows

Obedience to superiors, Celibacy, and Poverty followed by members of religious orders.

Abolition of slavery (1580)

Royal decree prohibiting Spaniards from owning native slaves; reinforced by papal bull in 1591.

European Education system

Introduction of European-style education: primary schools, colleges, and universities, with religion as a compulsory subject.

College of Manila / College of San Ignacio / University of Santo Tomas (UST)

Early higher education institutions established by missionaries; UST is the oldest existing university, established in 1611 (renamed in 1645).

Printing in the Philippines

Introduction of printing; first printer Juan de Vera (Chinese mestizo); Tomas Pinpin (Prince of Filipino Printers); Doctrina Christiana (first printed book); Del Superior Govierno (1811); La Esperanza (1846); El Ilocano (1889).

European Arts

Exposure of Filipinos to European artistic forms and traditions.

Cenaculo, Moro-moro, Zarzuela

Religious and theatrical forms: Cenaculo (passion drama), Moro-moro (Christianity vs. Islam), and zarzuela (musical theater).

Rise of social classes

Emergence of distinct social strata in colonial society.

Peninsulares

Spaniards born in Spain who resided in the Philippines.

Insulares / Creoles

Spaniards born in the Philippines; full-blooded Spaniards born locally.

Mestizos

People of mixed European (often Spanish) and native or other descent.

Indios / Principalia / Masses

Indios: native population; Principalia: native aristocracy; Masses: common natives.

Ilustrados

Latinized term for the educated middle class of Filipinos who would lead the national movement.

Galleon Trade

Annual trade between Manila and Acapulco; included goods from Asia; required boleta for shipping to Mexico.

Boleta

Ticket or license used to transport goods to Mexico as part of the Manila-Acapulco trade.

Tobacco Monopoly

Royal government monopoly over tobacco production and sale; controlled by the state.

Abolition of tobacco monopoly (1782)

Formal abolition of the tobacco monopoly by royal decree, with revenue and governance changes.

Royal Company in the Philippines

Institutional body established to manage colonial economic interests in the islands.

Agriculture and infrastructure

Development of agriculture and improvements in transportation and communication.

Transportation and communication (infrastructure)

Improvements such as Manila-Dagupan Railway (1891), postal service (1837), telegraph (1873, 1888), and telephone (1890).

Doctrina Cristiana

First printed book in the Philippines; part of the early printing program.

La Esperanza / Del Superior Gobierno / El Ilocano

Early Philippine newspapers illustrating the growth of print culture: La Esperanza (1846), Del Superior Gobierno (1811), and El Ilocano (1889).