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Questions and Answers
What was used to trade for provisions before the Spaniards introduced money?
What measurement unit is a ganta equivalent to in the measure used by the Spaniards?
A quarter of a celemín
What price could one tostón buy in terms of rice and wine initially?
What significant change happened in the availability of provisions after the arrival of Don Gonçalo Ronquillo?
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The Spaniards introduced the use of ______ to the locals.
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How many alcaldes-mayor were there before Don Gonçalo Ronquillo came, compared to the number that existed afterward?
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The Spaniards allowed the Indians to trade freely without restrictions.
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What was the purpose of the tributo in the Philippines?
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Tributes could only be collected from areas that were pacified.
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Who issued the order to monitor the collection of tributes?
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The King of Spain had invested a lot of money into the _______ and colonization of the Philippines.
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What must encomenderos provide part of the tribute for?
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Tributes could be collected in both cash and kind.
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What penalty could collectors face for not collecting tribute as ordered?
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Study Notes
Abundance of Resources
- The islands were rich in natural provisions: rice, beans, fowls, swine, deer, buffaloes, fish, coconuts, bananas, wine, and honey.
- Initially, a large quantity of these resources could be purchased from natives at low costs, using barter before the introduction of currency.
Introduction of Currency and Its Impact
- Spaniards introduced silver coins known as tostóns, which replaced bartering.
- Prices before the currency introduction:
- 100 gantas of rice for one tostón
- 100 gantas of wine for one tostón
- 12 to 16 fowls for one tostón.
- In the years following, scarcity developed, skyrocketing prices:
- Prices surged to 40-50 gantas of rice or 8-10 gantas of wine for one tostón.
- Fowls increased to 2 reals, hogs to 4-8 pesos.
Reasons for Increased Scarcity
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Migration of Labor: Under Governor Don Gonçalo Ronquillo, many Indians left to work in mines, leading to a significant decrease in local agricultural labor.
- Resulted in millions of deaths from hunger, particularly in Pampanga.
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Forced Labor: Spaniards employed Indians extensively for various difficult tasks, leaving little time for agriculture.
- Indians were often absent from villages due to labor demands; many died during these forced tasks.
- Diminished Agricultural Focus: Due to constant labor obligations, Indians had little opportunity to farm or engage in religious practices.
Increased Regulation and Economic Strain
- A rise in local governance saw an increase in alcaldes-mayor from a few to sixteen, creating more regulations on trade and labor.
- New alcaldes-mayor often exploited the natives during harvest time, manipulating prices of food and resources they could sell at much higher rates.
- Prohibition of Indian trade led to inflated food prices and decreased local supply as merchants profited from reselling.
Social and Religious Consequences
- The forced labor precluded many Indians from religious instruction and participation in spiritual activities.
- Instances of unfulfilled religious ceremonies due to Indian labor obligations prevented successful administration of sacraments, such as confirmation.
Royal Decrees and Tax Collection in the Philippines
- Royal decrees mandated the collection of personal tax, known as tributo, from the indios in the Philippines to cover government expenses.
- The King of Spain invested significantly in the colonization of the Philippines, establishing the expectation for the indios to repay this investment.
Collection Methods and Regulations
- Tributes could be paid in cash or in kind according to the orders from Governor-General Gomez Perez Dasmariñas.
- A clear order emphasized monitoring collection methods across encomiendas, only permitting tribute collection in pacified areas.
- Collection was to occur only where Christian instruction and secular justice were present to ensure fair treatment of the indios.
Governing Instructions
- Encomenderos (collectors) were responsible for supporting religious ministers with the collected tribute, reflecting the intertwining of taxation and religious obligations.
- In encomiendas lacking religious instruction, only a portion (approximately one-fourth) of the tribute was to be collected and the rest left with the indios.
Pacification and Tax Collection
- No tribute was to be collected from remote areas without justice or religious instruction, recognizing their turbulent conditions.
- Encomiendas that had previously been pacified but later rebelled could be subject to tribute collection, emphasizing accountability for past obedience.
Consequences of Non-Collection
- Failure to collect tribute in certain areas could lead to rebellion, raising concerns over the loyalty of districts released from tax obligations.
- The text highlighted the potential instability if the indios became aware of their exemption from tribute, risking disloyalty to the crown.
Overall Governance Strategy
- The directive aimed to balance the need for tax revenue while preventing excesses and abuses during the tribute collection process.
- The intention was to establish a regulated system that would promote order and maintain loyalty among the populations of the diverse and distant islands.
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Description
Explore the early encounters between Spaniards and the natives of the islands, focusing on the abundance of local provisions and trade practices. This quiz delves into the economic exchanges and cultural impacts of colonization. Gain insights into how these interactions shaped the region's history.
