The Formation of Philippine Colonial Society, 1565-1762

Philippine History with Politics ad Governance

Factors that Led to the Spanish Colonization of the Philippines

• Renaissance• Humanism

• Discovery and invention of new navigational

instruments

• Early Travels to the East• Early Portuguese and

Spanish voyages• Improvements in military

and in ship-building technology

• Crusades• Fall of Constantinople

(1453)• The reconquista and

desire to spread Catholicism

• Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

• Leadership of Prince Henry the

Navigator of Portugal

• Accumulation of capital and the development of banking in Europe

• Desire for spices• Search for new routes by

Spain and Portugal

Economic

Political and

religious

Scientific and

Secular Pursuits

Other factors

EconomicFactors that Led to the Spanish Colonization of the Philippines

Accumulation of capital and the development of banking in EuropeRise of lending

houses (e.g. House of Fugger in Germany and House of Medici)

Ensuing for more trade beyond Western Europe

Desire for spicesSpices were in demand in the WestExposure to food and spices grown in the

East changed the Westerner’s taste preferences

A major motivation for Portuguese and Spanish expeditions to the East

Search for new routesTrade with the East was carried through 3

principal trade (silk) routes which are dangerous to men and goods, and entailed much time, money and effort

After the fall of Constantinople (1453) to the Muslims, routes were closed to Europe. Only the Venetians were allowed to use to southern route

Based on geographical location, Spain and Portugal found it easier to meet the challenges of maritime expansion

Search for new trade route was accompanied by strong missionary purpose

Political and Religious ConcernsFactors that Led to the Spanish Colonization of the Philippines

Crusades (1096-1272)Defined as a religious

adventure to regain the Holy Land from the MuslimsBrought Europeans

closer with the superior and sophisticated civilizations in the East

Stimulated not only interest in Oriental culture but also demand for its goods and products

Fall of ConstantinopleOn May 29, 1453, the

city of Constantinople fell into the hands of Sultan Mohammed II and his Ottoman warriors

Trade routes were blocked. Discovery of new routes to Asia was an imperative necessity

Before the Fall of Constantinople in 1453

Fall of Constantinople

The reconquista and desire to spread CatholicismReconquista – the movement to destroy the

Muslim power in the Iberian Peninsula, ended with the capture of Granada in 1492

It manifested in the attempts of Spain and Portugal to colonize and convert pagan and Islamic lands to Catholicism

Treaty of TordesillasDivided the non-Christian lands into two

spheres: one for Spain (West) and the other for Portugal (East)

A demarcation line was drawn 370 leagues west of Cape Verde Islands.

Led Magellan to sail westward

Leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal

Inspired maritime exploration of the 15th century

Gathered best sailors and geographers of Europe

Established an observatory and a nautical school

Sent out expedition after expedition to uncharted waters of the African coast

Scientific and Secular PursuitsFactors that Led to the Spanish Colonization of the Philippines

Renaissance Means “revival of learning”Puts emphasis on scientific, secular, and artistic

pursuits rather than religious. Advances the following

Aristotle’s theory of the sphericity

of the Earth

Compilation of a 17-volume

geography of the world by Strabo

Renowned work on geography by Ptolemy (150 AD)

Infusion of greater emphasis on geographical science by such

works

HumanismDominant in

16th century, it eroded the binding power of religion and stressed the development of mind and heart, rather than the soul

The discovery and invention of more technologically-advanced navigational instruments

Mariner’s

compass

Astolabe

Portolani

Quadrant

Sextant

Other factorsFactors that Led to the Spanish Colonization of the Philippines

Early travels to the EastTravels of Franciscan fathers

from 13th century to early 14th century and others to the east inflamed European interest in the Orient and its fabled treasures

Travel of Ibn Batuta (1304-1378), Sheik of Morocco, through India, Malaysia, and China from 1325 to 1353

The travels of Marco Polo in China and Southeast Asia

Marco Polo

Early Portuguese and Spanish VoyagesRounding Cape

of Blanco, Africa by Antonio

Gonzalvez (1441)

Discovery of Cape Verde Islands by

Dennis Fernandez

(1445)

Discovery of Cape of Good

Hope by Bartholomew Diaz (1487)

Discovery of America by Columbus

(1492)

Discovery of route going to

Calicut, India by Vasco de Gama

(1489)

Capture of Goa, India by

Albuquerque (1510)

Conquest of Moluccas and

Malay Peninsula by the

Portuguese

Missionary exploits by St. Francis Xavier in SEA, Japan,

& China

Discovery of Pacific Ocean

by Balboa (1511)

Improvements in military and in ship-building technologyEnabled European colonizers to colonize a

well-equipped military forceEasier to conquer the natives through the use

of firearms and cannonsEncouraged Europeans to organize more

expeditions to the east.

Thank you!