HIST101 - Lesson 6 & 7 (Group 3 Report) PDF

# Lesson 6: Philippines Under Spanish ## The Age of Discovery and Early Spanish Colonization - The 15th century was the *“Age of Discovery”*, where Western powers sailed the oceans looking for new territories and subjects. - The *Treaty of Tordesillas* (1494) was signed by Spain and Portugal, divi...

# Lesson 6: Philippines Under Spanish ## The Age of Discovery and Early Spanish Colonization - The 15th century was the *“Age of Discovery”*, where Western powers sailed the oceans looking for new territories and subjects. - The *Treaty of Tordesillas* (1494) was signed by Spain and Portugal, dividing the world among themselves. - This treaty led Spain to explore and colonize the Philippines in 1521, with full control established in 1565. - The Spanish established a colonial government, enforcing differences between Spanish and Filipino cultures, races, and ways of life. - *Indios*: Filipinos who were Christianized - *Moros*: Filipinos who were Islamized in the 14th century - *Lumads*: Filipinos who did not belong to either the *Indios* or *Moros* group and chose to avoid Spanish settlements, allowing them to keep their traditions. ## Early Filipino Culture through Juan de Plasencia's *Customs of the Tagalogs* - The Spanish began to study the Filipinos to better understand and control their new subjects. - **Juan de Plasencia** was a Franciscan missionary who wrote *Customs of the Tagalogs* (1589). - **Plasencia** was among the first to document early Filipino society, providing insights into their customs and traditions. - The *Tagalogs* were the main group living in the Manila region, which became the capital of the Spanish colony. - Plasencia's work lacks organization, but it touches upon many aspects of early Filipino life. - **Plasencia’s** work highlights the **socio-political** structure of the *Tagalogs*, characterized by the following: ### Early Tagalog Society - *Datu*: The most prestigious chief, served as a war captain, ruled over a hundred houses. - *Barangay*: A "tribal gathering" or a village, consisting of many households led by a *Datu*. - **Three classes in Tagalog society:** - *Maharlica*: Nobles, free from servitude. - *Aliping Namamahay*: Commoners, working in return to a share in their master’s harvest. - *Aliping Sagigilid*: Slaves, could be sold. ## Spanish Control of Trade and Commerce through Antonio de Morga’s *Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas* - **Antonio de Morga** was a Spanish official who served in the Philippines from 1593 to 1603. - He published **Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas (Events in the Philippine Islands),** a chronicle of his experiences and observations in the Philippines. - Morga's work provides insight into early Filipino society and how the Spanish controlled commerce and trade. - **Morga** described the early Filipino system of justice as: - There were no kings or lords. - Disputes were resolved by elders of a community in accordance with ancestral traditions. - Every community had its own customs. ## The Introduction of the *Tributo* and *Polo* - The Spanish introduced an **economic system** in the Philippines to enrich themselves. - **Tributo:** Tax imposed on Filipinos in the form of gold, cloth, cotton, rice, bells, and other products of their labor. - **Polo:** Forced labor service that required Filipinos to work for the Spanish in various industries. - This labor was often unpaid, with Filipinos only receiving a small wage and rice. - This labor was used to build ships, work in mines, and participate in military expeditions. ## The Significance of the *Barangay* - **William Henry Scott** (a scholar of pre-16th century Philippines) argued that the term *barangay* was misused by Plasencia and subsequent Spanish writers. - **Scott** argued that *barangay* originally meant a boat, not a social structure. - The Spanish, relying heavily on Plasencia's work, adopted *barangay* as a unit of political organization, shaping colonial understanding of Filipino society. ## Antonio de Morga and His Insights into Filipino Life - **Morga** provides a detailed account of life in the Philippines. - His work highlights: - Traditional Filipino customs and beliefs. - The impact of the Spanish arrival on Filipino society. - The introduction of Spanish laws and governance. ## Francisco de Sande's Letter and the Struggle Against the Moros - **Francisco de Sande** was the Spanish governor of the Philippines who wrote a letter to **Captain Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa** (1578). - This letter outlines plans for the subjugation of the **Moro** (Islamized) population in **Jolo** and **Mindanao.** - Sande instructs Figueroa to force Moros to pay tribute and convert to Christianity. - He also emphasizes the importance of extracting pearls and other valuable resources from the region. ## Early Pre-colonial Societies and the Rise of the *Katipunan* - The colonial period saw the emergence of Catholic traditions among Filipinos, often incorporating and blending with indigenous practices and beliefs. - The **Cofradia de San Jose (Brotherhood of Saint Joseph)** was a religious organization founded in Manila by **Apolinario de la Cruz (Hermano Pule)**. - Pule sought to create his own spiritual community separate from the control of Spanish authorities. - **Pule** advocated for a more egalitarian society, rejecting the hierarchy imposed by Spanish colonialism, and sought to assert Filipino identity. - **Pule’s** **cofradia** blended Catholic beliefs and indigenous traditions into a unique “folk Catholicism.” - **Pule’s** attempts to formalize his organization led to conflicts with the Spanish, culminating in a bloody crackdown and his execution in 1841. ## The *Kartilya* and the *Katipunan* - By the 19th century, the Philippines was further integrated into Spanish society, but discontent festered. - The **Katipunan** (the **Kataastaasan, Kagalang-galang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Supreme and Venerable Society of the Children of the Nation)**) was an organization founded by **Andres Bonifacio**. - **Bonifacio** created the *Kartilya* (*“Lessons of the Organization of the Sons of Country”*) to provide a value system for the organization and its members. - The *Kartilya* advocates for: - Equality - Justice - Patriotism - Morality ## The *Kartilya* and the Rise of Emilio Aguinaldo - The **Katipunan** rose in August 1896, leading the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule. - **Emilio Aguinaldo**, a leader from Cavite, rose to prominence during the revolution. - He clashed with Bonifacio, who considered himself the leader of the *Katipunan*. - The two rival factions in Cavite (the **Magdalo** and **Magdiwang**) were led by Aguinaldo and Bonifacio, respectively. - Aguinaldo's victory over Bonifacio at the *Tejeros Convention* led to the decline of the *Katipunan*. ## The Proclamation of Philippine Independence - The *Philippine Revolution* reached its climax with the declaration of independence on June 12, 1898, in Cavite. - The declaration highlights: - The abuses of the Spanish colonial government. - The struggle for Filipino freedom and self-governance. - The establishment of a new republic under Emilio Aguinaldo's leadership. ## The Significance of Primary Sources - History is often presented through the lens of the victor, emphasizing their perspectives and achievements. - Historians should critically analyze primary sources, considering the context of their creation and the motivations of the authors. - By comparing and contrasting different sources, historians can gain a more nuanced and accurate understanding of past events. ## Discussion - The document you provided focuses on the history of the Philippines under Spanish rule. It highlights the impact of the Spanish on Filipino society, the struggles against colonial oppression, and the complex process of nation-building. - The document includes primary sources like *Customs of the Tagalogs* by Juan de Plasencia, *Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas* by Antonio de Morga, and Francisco de Sande's letter to Captain Estevan Rodriguez de Figueroa. - These texts provide valuable insights into the social, political, and economic realities of the Philippines during this time. - The document also explores the role of religion, particularly the emergence of "folk Catholicism" and the movement of Hermano Pule. - It examines the rise of the Katipunan and the Philippine Revolution, focusing on the leadership. - The document's concluding section highlights the importance of critically analyzing primary sources, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of history.