The Galleon Trade: Manila to Acapulco

The Galleon Trade

• The Galleon Trade spanned from 1565 to 1815, a 250-year period.
• It connected the Philippines (Manila) and Mexico (Acapulco).
• Galleons, large ships, transported goods across the Pacific Ocean.
• The trade route continued across the Atlantic to Seville (Spain).
• The Spanish government controlled this trade, acting as a monopoly.
• This trade was the first global transaction connecting East and West.
• Prior to Spanish arrival, the Philippines traded with various Asian countries (China, Japan, Siam, India, Cambodia, Borneo, Vietnam, Myanmar).
• Crucially contributing to the development of the early world economy and globalization's early stages.

Key Goods Traded in Galleon Trade

• From the East: Silk, porcelain, ivory, cloth, and spices.
• From the West: Silver coins, and goods from Spain and the Americas.

Impact of the Galleon Trade

• Manila became a major East Asian trade center.
• The Philippines became a Spanish colony, integrated into their empire.
• The trade spurred Atlantic and Pacific economic activity, changing global trade.
• Cultural exchange between Asia and the West influenced Filipino culture.

Notable Galleon Trade Facts

• 108 galleons were built; 30 were lost at sea.
• Galleons carried 200-300 tons of cargo.
• The trade route was the longest shipping route of its time.
• The Philippines' economy was boosted as a major trade hub during this period.
• The Galleon Trade laid groundwork for modern globalization.
• It bolstered the Spanish Empire's economy.
• The Philippines' strategic location made it essential to global trade.
• The trade significantly facilitated exchange between Asia and Europe.
• While boosting trade, the reliance on Spanish rule stifled long-term independent Filipino economic growth.
• This trade fundamentally impacted Filipino social, political, and daily life.

The Galleon Trade and the Opium Wars

• The Galleon Trade period saw increased opium use by the British in China.
• The Opium Wars (1839-1842 and 1856-1860) arose from Britain's opium trade monopoly and China's attempts to stop it.
• Britain used China's opium dependency to gain control of Hong Kong and increase trade influence.

The End of the Galleon Trade

• The trade ended in 1815.
• Reasons included newer trade routes, the French Revolution, and Spain's fading naval power.

Key Figures in the Galleon Trade

• Miguel López de Legazpi: Established the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines.
• Ferdinand Magellan: First European contact with the Philippines in 1521.
• The King Dynasty: Chinese Dynasty during early Galleon Trade.
• The British Empire: Played a role in the Opium Wars, impacting Chinese trade.