Key Features of Pre-Colonial Philippines

• Communities were organized into barangays, led by a datu (chieftain) who governed with the help of elders and council members.

• Social classes were fluid, consisting of the datu, maharlika (nobles/warriors), timawa (freemen), and alipin (dependents/slaves).

• Matriarchal societies existed, with women holding equal rights in decision-making, property ownership, and even leadership roles

• Farming techniques included kaingin (swidden agriculture) for staple crops like rice, millet, bananas, and root crops.

• The Banaue Rice Terraces exemplify advanced agricultural engineering and sustainable practices.

• Communities prioritized environmental conservation and sustainable resource use

• Animism dominated religious practices, with rituals centered on nature spirits (anito) and deities. Spiritual leaders (babaylan) conducted ceremonies.

• Islam spread in Mindanao during the 14th century, establishing sultanates before Spanish colonization.

Key Features of Spanish Colonization

• The Philippines was governed as the Captaincy General of the Philippines, part of the Spanish East Indies.

• Initially under the Viceroyalty of New Spain (Mexico), it came under direct Spanish control after Mexico's independence in 1821

• Catholicism was introduced and became a dominant force. Missionaries converted much of the population, establishing churches, schools, and convents.

• A rigid caste system emerged, with Spaniards at the top, followed by mestizos, indios (natives), and sangley (Chinese immigrants) .

Key Events

• First Contact (1521): Ferdinand Magellan arrived in 1521 during his circumnavigation of the globe. He was killed in the Battle of Mactan by Lapu-Lapu's forces.

• Spanish Conquest (1565): Miguel López de Legazpi established the first permanent settlement in Cebu in 1565 and later moved to Manila in 1571, making it the capital.

• Galleon Trade Era (1565–1815): Facilitated economic exchanges between Asia and the Americas but concentrated wealth among Spaniards while neglecting local industries.

• Tondo Conspiracy (1587–1588): A failed attempt by Filipino nobles to overthrow Spanish rule.

• Philippine Revolution (1896–1898): Led by the Katipunan, this armed struggle sought independence from Spain. It culminated in Emilio Aguinaldo's declaration of independence on June 12, 1898

• Spanish-American War (1898): Spain was defeated by U.S. forces in the Battle of Manila Bay. The Treaty of Paris ceded the Philippines to the United States for $20 million, ending Spanish rule.

Key Events:

• Philippine-American War (1899–1902): Resistance to U.S. colonization led to widespread conflict.

• Tydings-McDuffie Act (1934): Promised Philippine independence after a 10-year transitional period under the Commonwealth government.

• Japanese Invasion (1941): Marked the end of American governance during World War II.

Key Features

• Japan established a puppet government in the Philippines under Jose P. Laurel, but real power was held by the Japanese military.

• Filipinos were subjected to forced labor, food shortages, and harsh treatment, including atrocities against civilians.

• Resistance Movement:

  1. Guerrilla forces played a critical role in resisting Japanese control. Approximately 260,000 Filipinos joined guerrilla units, controlling 60% of the countryside.

  2. The Hukbalahap (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon) was one of the most prominent resistance groups.

• Cultural Suppression: The Japanese promoted Nipponization, aiming to replace Western influence with Japanese culture and values.

Key Events

• The Japanese attacked on December 8, 1941, hours after Pearl Harbor. Manila fell on January 2, 1942.

• Filipino and American forces retreated to Bataan and Corregidor but eventually surrendered in April and May 1942.

• Bataan Death March (April 1942): After the fall of Bataan, approximately 76,000 Filipino and American soldiers were forced to march over 100 kilometers under inhumane conditions. An estimated 7,000–10,000 died during the march.

• Guerrilla Resistance (1942–1945): Guerrillas disrupted Japanese operations through sabotage and intelligence gathering.

• They provided critical information to Allied forces during the liberation campaign.

• General Douglas MacArthur returned on October 20, 1944, with Allied forces landing on Leyte.

• Fierce battles followed, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 23–26, 1944), one of the largest naval battles in history.

• The Battle of Manila (February–March 1945) resulted in massive destruction and over 100,000 civilian deaths.

Key Features

• Independence and Reconstruction:

  1. The Philippines gained independence from the United States on July 4, 1946, through the Treaty of Manila.

  2. Post-war reconstruction was a priority as much of the country, especially Manila, was devastated during World War II.

• Economic Dependency:

  1. The Bell Trade Act (1946) tied the Philippine economy to the U.S., granting free trade for eight years and requiring constitutional amendments (Parity Rights) to allow U.S. citizens equal access to natural resources.

  2. The economy remained agrarian but began industrializing in the 1950s.

• Political Instability and Martial Law:

  1. Political instability emerged due to corruption, insurgencies, and economic inequality.

  2. In 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law, suspending democracy and centralizing power until 1981.

• People Power Revolution (1986): Marcos's regime ended after the peaceful EDSA Revolution, which restored democracy under Corazon Aquino.

• Contemporary Challenges: Modern Philippine politics have been marked by economic reforms, natural disasters, insurgencies, and controversies over governance.

Key Events

• Independence (1946): The Philippines became a sovereign nation on July 4, 1946, with Manuel Roxas as its first president.

• Martial Law Era (1972–1981): Marcos declared Martial Law in response to growing unrest, consolidating power and suppressing dissent.

• EDSA People Power Revolution (1986): A peaceful uprising ousted Marcos and installed Corazon Aquino as president.

• Contemporary Milestones: The Philippines faced significant events such as the Asian Financial Crisis (1997), Typhoon Haiyan (2013), and recent debates over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.