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| Ferdinand Magellan |
In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer on an expedition for Spain, arrived in Cebu, one of many small islands in the Philippines.
Within 50 years, the Spanish had total colonial control over the land, and the
native Filipinos. Spanish governors replaced native leaders, and Filipinos were
treated as second-class citizens.
The Spanish
saw the Philippines
as a valuable asset because of its role in the international spice trade.
Though none of the spices grown in the Philippines were useful to the
Spanish, they quickly set up an international trading empire there. Silver from
Mexico and Peru was sent there to be traded for Chinese
goods that were at high demand in Europe, such
as silk, tea, and porcelain.
Another
goal of the colonization of the Philippines
was the spread of Catholicism. Because of the Spanish missionary work, the Philippines is the only country in Asia with a Catholic majority. However, it was the
extensive power of the Catholic Church that eventually ended the colonization
of the Philippines.
In the 1800s. Filipinos accused the Church of abusing its position, and that,
combined with general discontent over their poor treatment, eventually lead to
the end of the 356-year-long Spanish rule over the Philippines.
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| The Spanish Arrive in the Philippines |
