History of the Philippine Islands

Discovery and Spanish Colonization

• The Philippine Islands were discovered by Magellan in 1521 and claimed by Spain.
• The first successful settlements were made in 1565.

Indigenous Peoples and Muslim Influence

• The original peoples were largely Malay and Indonesian tribes, Negritos.
• The earliest inhabitants were Negritos, sometimes called Pygmies.
• Muslim traders and teachers influenced the Philippines as early as the 11th century.
• By the 14th century, many Filipinos in the southern areas had been converted to Islam and were called Moros by the Spanish.

Spanish Rule

• The Spanish language, religion, and customs were imposed on the Filipinos.
• A strong centralized government with considerable clerical influence developed.
• Filipino groups maintained their identity and languages, but Spanish was introduced throughout the country.

19th Century Developments

• Trade restrictions were eased in the 19th century, creating a wave of prosperity.
• Chinese immigration increased dramatically during this period, as did Spanish emigration from newly independent countries of Latin America.

Filipino Desire for Independence

• Filipino desire for independence led to numerous uprisings, including one that began in 1896.
• The United States defeated Spain in 1898 in the Spanish-American War, and independence was declared, but the Philippines was ceded to the United States through the Treaty of Paris.
• The War of Resistance from 1899 to 1902 was fought against U.S. rule and is now referred to by many Filipinos as the Philippine-American War.

American Rule

• The U.S. declared that its administration was temporary and had as its goal the development of a free and democratic government.
• Public education, sound legal systems, and a bicameral legislature were implemented, and civil service was gradually taken over by Filipinos.
• The English language was used in official documents during this time period.

Path to Independence

• A ten-year transition period was established in 1935, but was interrupted by World War II.
• The Philippines was taken over by Japan from 1942 to 1944, causing great damage and loss of life.
• The country gained independence on July 4, 1946, becoming the Republic of the Philippines.

Local Histories and Family Research

• Local histories are valuable resources for family history research.
• Published histories of municipalities, cities, and provinces usually have accounts of families and early inhabitants.
• Local histories can provide background information about a family's lifestyle, community, and living environment.