THE SPANISH COLONIAL

SYSTEM
 By and large, the first colonial
aim (propagation of Christianity)
was the most successful and
enduring. All the colonies which
Spain had colonized are now
Christian nations.
Spain Retains the Philippines Despite
Economic Loss. As a colony, the
Philippines was a financial burden to the
Spanish treasury. For this reason, the
advisors of King Philip II recommended
the abandonment of the Philippines.
In 1619 the question of abandoning the
Philippines was revived by the court
advisers. Upon hearing this news, Fr.
Fernando Moraga, despite his advanced
age and feeble health, journeyed to
Spain.
 The Philippines as Crown Colony. The Philippines was a
crown colony in the sense that she belonged to the Spanish
king. From the beginning of Spanish rule to 1821, she was
a dependency of Mexico, being administered directly by
the Mexican viceroy in the name of the Spanish king.
 The Council of the Indies. To help the king
rule the colonies, the Council of the Indies
was created by King Charles I (concurrently
Emperor Charles V of Germany) in his Royal
Decree of August 1, 1524. This council was a
powerful body, for it handled all matters
pertaining to the colonies of the Spanish
empire.