Spanish Colonization

Spanish Period

Aims of Spanish colonization

1. spread Christianity (Gospel)

- the conversions of the natives
2. economic wealth (Gold)
- to support the Spanish
government, imposed taxes,
force labor
3. to acquire territory (Glory)
- supremacy of Spain over Portugal
as a superpower
4. acquire spices
- used in preserving food
The Governor General and other government officials had so
much power that it was commonly abused. To investigate the
abuses, there were bodies created:

THE RESIDENCIA

THE VISITA

THE ROYAL AUDENCIA

THE RESIDENCIA

- This was a special judicial court that investigates the

performance of a Governor General who was about to be
replaced.

- The Residencia, of which the incoming Governor General

was usually a member, submitted a report of its findings to the
King.
THE VISITA

- The Council of the Indies in Spain sent a government official

called the VISITADOR GENERAL to observe conditions in the
colony.

- The Visitador General reported his findings directly to the

King.
THE ROYAL AUDENCIA

- The highest court in the land

- Served as an advisory body to the Governor General

- Had the power to check and report on his abuses

- The Audiencia also audited the expenditures of the

colonial government
- Sent a yearly report to Spain

- The Archbishop and other government officials

THE ROYAL AUDENCIA

Despite all these checks, however, an abusive governor

general often managed to escape stiff fines, suspension, or
dismissal by simply bribing the Visitador and other
investigators.
Social conditions in the Philippines during Spanish Rule

Conversion of the Filipinos to Catholicism

- made possible by work of early missionaries with the help of
Spanish soldiers (Augustinians 1565, Franciscans 1577,
Jesuits 1581, Dominicans 1587, and Recollects 1606)

Feudalistic Society
- social ranking, ruling class
- discrimination emerged
Social conditions in the Philippines during Spanish Rule

Filipino surnames
- Gov.-Gen. Claveria issued a decree of 1849 ordering all
Filipino families to adopt Spanish surnames
- check tax evasion and abuses

Bahay na bato
- from bahay kubo to a wide azotea or balcony
- made from bricks and stone
Social conditions in the Philippines during Spanish Rule

Spanish and Chinese cuisines

- mixed with Filipino dishes adobo, menudo, mechado etc..

Mode of dressing
- western coat and trousers, hats

Spanish language
- did not propagate the language to all Filipinos
- Spanish words were also used in tagalog words
Social conditions in the Philippines during Spanish Rule

Religious feast, honoring patron saints

- visperas , town were busy
- moro-moro, comedia, zarzuela
- gambling and sabong were allowed

Celebration of person’s death

- duplo was stage
- playing cards, videoke,

Baptism of a child / marriage -

Family life / the Filipino women -
Education conditions in the Philippines during Spanish
Rule

- Education in the Philippines during the Spanish era was not

open to all Filipinos.

- The Spanish government had absolutely no intention of

training the natives for eventual independence and self-
government.

- During this period, some schools were exclusively

established for education of some Spanish nationals in the
Economic and Cultural conditions in the Philippines during
Spanish Rule

Agriculture
- large-scale production of cotton, silk, cinnamon

Tobacco Monopoly
- controlled every aspect of tobacco in the country
- determined the plantation site, quota, amount to be paid

Royal company of the Philippines

- promote direct trade between Philippines and Spain
- did not last long, mismanagement and monetary losses
Economic and Cultural conditions in the Philippines during
Spanish Rule

Foreign trade
opening of ports

Banks
- Obras Pias – gave loans to merchant of high interest
Rodriguez Bank founded by Francisco Rodriguez was the first
bank in the country
Compare the powers of the Spanish Governor-General with those of the powers of the President of the
Philippines today.
Powers of the Spanish Governor-General Powers of the President of the Philippines
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.

Briefly compare the administrative structure of the government during the Spanish rule with that of
the present system of government.
Categories Government System during Spanish Time Present System of Government
National Government
Provincial Government
Municipal Government
City Government