• discuss the meaning of colonization and its context in relation to the Spanish conquest of the Philippines;

• explain the reasons behind and the objectives of Spanish colonialism;

• explain the effects of colonization on the colonized countries.

VOCABULARY:

colonialism  -  policy of a country that pertains to the expansion of lands through colonization

crusader  -  Christian soldiers who took part in recovering sacred places seized by the Muslims in the Holy Land

expedition  -  journey especially by a group of people for a specific purpose (such as to explore a distant place or to do research)

Holy Land  -  region found along the Mediterranean comprising Israel and Palestine

mercantilism  -  belief that a sound and stable state is one which has adequate gold and silver in its coffers

coffer  -  funds of a government or individual

papal bull  -  pronouncements, proclamations, or decrees from the Pope

MEANING AND OBJECTIVE OF COLONIALISM

MEANING AND OBJECTIVE OF COLONIALISM

The Europeans began to realize the need to reach Asia when they learned of its abundant natural resources from the Crusaders, or the Christian soldiers who took part in recovering sacred places seized by the Muslims in the Holy Land.  Furthermore, the Europeans were impressed by the tales of Marco Polo about the resources and culture he saw in the "East".  They heard about the spices found in Asia like pepper, ginger, chili, oregano, and cinnamon.  They used these as important ingredients in cooking and as preservatives for food stored during winter.  For them, the spices were as valuable as oil as today.  Because of this, many Europeans wanted to go to Asia, especially to Moluccas, which was known to be the "Spice Islands".

From the sixteenth to eighteenth century, different states in Europe practice mercantilism.  The Europeans believed that a sound and stable state was one which had adequate gold and silver in its coffers.  To increase their wealth, these European states occupied other countries and exploited their natural resources.  Thus, these countries became their colonies.  Colony is the term used to refer to an area controlled by a powerful country.  This powerful country maintains its authority over its colony.

In the 1600s, Spain and Portugal led the race to discover new lands, and thus they became rivals.  Being Catholic countries, they sought permission from the Pope in Rome for their expeditions.  To spread Catholicism to the different parts of the world, Pope Alexander VI granted permission to both countries.

DIVISION OF THE WORLD BETWEEN PORTUGAL AND SPAIN

Pope Alexander VI was very eager to spread Catholicism to the different parts of the world.  Because of this, he continued to allow Spain and Portugal to send men for expeditions to new lands despite the growing dispute between the two countries.

To prevent further disputes, Pope Alexander VI issued two decree or papal bull, on May 3, 1493.  The decrees stated that Portugal would have the exclusive rights to explore the lands in Africa and Spain to the New World.  The decrees were immediately followed by a third decree on May 4, 1493, which divided the world between Spain and Portugal.  The division was made possible by the creation of a demarcation line from the North Pole to the South Pole; this line passed through the Atlantic Ocean in 100 leagues (about 320 miles) west of the Azores and Cape Verde Islands.  The decree clearly stated that all countries found east of the demarcation line were intended for Portugal and that all countries found west of it were for Spain.

The third papal bull dissatisfied the king of Portugal.  The king argued that his country had territories in the east that were not included in its portion of the world.  The division was renegotiated in the Treaty of Tordesillas on June 7, 1494.  The Treaty of Tordesillas reestablished the line 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands.  Included in this treaty were the following:

1. The lands and islands east of the line belonged to Portugal and those west of the line, to Spain.

2. All lands and islands discovered by Portugal in west of the line would be turned over to Spain, and all lands and islands discovered by Spain in east of the line, to Portugal.

3. Neither Spain nor Portugal was allowed to send vessels for trade and commerce to any lands and island not intended for them as stipulated in the treaty.

Later, other powerful and rich countries in Europe, like France, the Netherlands, and England, also started to send expeditions and conquer islands in the different parts of the world..

CONTEXT AND REASONS OF THE SPANISH COLONIZATION OF THE PHILIPPINES

Aside from the decree from Rome to propagate Catholicism, there were other events that led to the coming of the Spaniards to the Philippines.  First, Spain was in dire need to conquer lands in the East so that it could increase the resources of its growing empire.  The Philippines with its vast resources at that time would be very beneficial to Spain.  Second, Spain was very eager to discover a new route to the East.  The Philippines with its strategic location in the Pacific Islands in the sixteenth century was somewhat inevitable, for it was a time of great exploration.  Explorers from the West were eager to discover new lands in the East.

Overall, the Spanish colonization of the Philippines can be summarized by the three G's, namely, God, Gold, and Glory.

1. God/Catholicism - Part of the mission of the Spanish explorers to conquer islands was to propagate Catholicism.

2. Gold/Wealth - Conquered lands were considered wealth because the colonizers profited from the human and natural resources found here.

3. Glory/Prestige - Having a colony brought prestige and honor to the country.

Ferdinand Magellan (Fernando Magallanes), a Portuguese, is the first European who reached the Philippines.  It was during the early hours of March 16, 1521 when he and his men saw the island of Samar.  They continued their journey until they reach the island of Homonhon on March 17, 1521.  Since then, expeditions sent by the King of Spain to the Philippines changed the life of the ancient Filipinos.  Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's expedition on 1565 is considered the most successful expedition sent by Spain to the Philippines.  In the 333 years of Spanish colonization of the Filipinos, it could be said that our ancestors learned a lot from the culture of the Spaniards, because of this, the country's freedom and the Filipino identity was lost.  With the European "discovery" of the Philippines in the sixteenth century, the world of the early Filipinos became a little bigger.  Though historical records show that the early Filipinos had contact with foreign people through trade long before the Europeans came, but the arrival of these people from the West opened up new possibilities with lasting effects on Filipino culture and identity.

A.  Discuss.

• How did Pope Alexander VI divide the lands to be conquered between Spain and Portugal?

• If you were the king of either country, do you think the division was fair? Why?

• What made the Europeans feel the desire to reach Asia?

• How is colonialism related to mercantilism?

B.  Teacher made.