Spanish Colonial Period and Galleon Trade

Spanish Colonial Period (1565-1898)

• Ferdinand Magellan's arrival in 1521 marked the beginning of European contact, although lasting control came much later.
• Spanish colonization began in 1565 with Miguel López de Legazpi establishing the first Spanish settlements.
• The Spanish established Manila as the administrative center and a major port.
• The period saw the introduction of Christianity, the Spanish language, and the Spanish legal system.
• Significant social stratification developed with the Spanish at the top.

The Galleon Trade

• The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade system facilitated a significant flow of goods and people.
• It connected the Philippines to Mexico and Spain through lucrative trade routes.
• The trade was important for introducing new crops and ideas, impacting the development of Philippine society.
• However, it also led to economic dependency and exploitation by Spanish authorities.

The Philippine Revolution (1896-1898)

• The Philippine Revolution was a movement for independence from Spanish rule.
• Led by figures like Andrés Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo, the revolution aimed to gain self-governance.
• The revolution was initially successful in driving out Spanish forces from various parts of the archipelago.
• The revolution ultimately ended with the Spanish-American War.

American Colonial Period (1898-1946)

• The Spanish-American War resulted in the cession of the Philippines to the U.S.
• The U.S. initially aimed to "civilize" the Filipinos and integrate the islands into the American sphere of influence.
• The Filipino-American War followed, a conflict marked by extensive guerrilla warfare and significant casualties on both sides.
• American colonial rule brought significant changes in the Philippine education system, infrastructure, politics, and economy.
• Development of infrastructure and a public education framework.

Commonwealth Period (1935-1946)

• The Philippines was granted commonwealth status in 1935, a prelude to independence in 1946.
• Manuel Quezon and Sergio Osmeña were key figures during the Commonwealth.
• The period was marked by preparations for self-governance.
• The coming Japanese invasion disrupted these plans.

World War II (1941-1945) and its Aftermath

• The Japanese invasion sharply disrupted and destabilized Philippine society.
• The Filipino people suffered immensely.
• The Battle of the Philippines was a major campaign during World War II that included bitter fighting.
• The aftermath of the war saw the struggle to rebuild the economy and society.

Post-Independence Philippines (1946-Present)

• The Philippines gained formal independence in 1946, marking a new era in Philippine politics.
• The nation was faced with numerous challenges: economic instability, political infighting, and social unrest.
• A defining characteristic of Philippine history has been the ongoing political and economic instability that has varied from decade to decade.
• Later presidents and governance systems have attempted to address these issues.
• The country continues to evolve, with present-day challenges like poverty, inequality, corruption, and natural disasters that require sustained efforts from the government and citizens to overcome.