Spanish Voyages and Instruments of Colonization
15th Century
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Portugal and Spain were two powerful countries in Europe
Sailed through the East to locate sources of spices
Spices were so valuable that merchants who traded them became very
important and powerful
The invention of ships, maps, navigational instruments, gunpowder, and
firearms propelled expeditions and conquests
1443: A demarcation line was set to divide the world. All countries in the
East belonged to Portugal, and those in the West belonged to Spain
1494: Treaty of Tordesillas moved the demarcation line
Spain’s reasons for their expeditions: god, gold, and glory
Magellan’s Expedition
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Left Spain in 1519
First arrived in Leyte in 1521 where they formed a blood compact with
Rajah Kulambo and Rajah Siagu. A mass was held in Limasawa
Magellan was killed in a battle against Lapulapu
Returned to Spain
1525-1561
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Numerous failed expeditions
They were forced to stop
Legaspi’s Expedition
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1565 Legazpi expedition arrived in Cebu
Cebu became the first Spanish city
Many were converted to Christianity
The Capture of Manila
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Headed by Martin de Goiti
Troops were sent to Manila in 1570
Rajah Soliman, the last ruler of Manila, initially refused to be colonized but
died in battle
Legazpi became the first Governor General in the Philippines and rebuilt
Manila as the capital of the newly acquired Spanish Territories
Instruments of Colonization
Christianization
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Conversion of Filipinos
Reduccion
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Forced relocation of Filipinos to communities
Tributo
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Taxes paid in recognition of Spanish government
Eight reales (one peso) every year that was later changed into cedula tax
Cedula: personal identity paper
Polo y servicio
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Unpaid labor for the construction of roads, buildings, and other
infrastructure
40 days every year
Polistas – workers
Falla – amount paid to be exempted from polo