Module 6 Forum 1

Synthesize what you have learned about the formation of the haciendas during the Spanish
colonization in the Philippines.

The actual work of colonization began in 1565, when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi concluded
treaties of friendship with the native chiefs. Then he proceeded to establish a Spanish town on
Cebu Island, to convert the people to Roman Catholicism. The existence of friar lands in the
Philippines can be traced back to the early Spanish colonial period when Spanish conquistadors
were awarded lands in the form of haciendas for their loyalty to the Spanish crown. There are
approximately 120 Spaniards were granted either large traits of land called sitio de Ganado
mayor and smaller tracts called caballerias. The hacienderos, those who owned the hacienda,
failed to develop their lands. One reason is that Spaniards were not expected to permanently stay
in the Philippines. Many of them returned to Spain once they were done serving in the country.

The Hacienda de Calamba was originally owned by a Spaniards who donated the land to
Jesuit friars to allow him to permanently stay in the Jesuit monastery. However, since the Jesuit
were expelled from the Philippines, the haciends went to the possession of the Spanish colonial
government. In 1803, the land was sold to Don Clemente de Azansa. After his death. It was
eventually sold to the Dominicans who claimed ownership of the hacienda until late 19th
century.

A hacienda is most easily defined as an estate, mostly seen in the colonies of the Spanish
Empire. A lot of haciendas were used as mines, factories, or plantations, and some combined all
of these activities. Haciendas were actually small business enterprises that were built for the sole
goal of making money. It is not easy to exactly define the term hacienda, but normally, it refers to
an estate of a large size. Haciendas were traditionally organized in a clear hierarchy that was
inspired by paternalistic societies. In this social organization, the landlords were sitting at the top
of the system while the workers were at the bottom. The hacienda system evolved throughout the
years, but the conditions of the workers became increasingly worse.

This study source was downloaded by 100000817906449 from CourseHero.com on 09-23-2022 23:09:21 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/79762395/M6F1-RIZALdocx/