Imperialism
Before Spanish colonization, it was believed that the Philippines, like most other small isolated islands at the time, must have been uncivilized, barbaric, and without any form of government. However, the Philippines already had its own form of a social system and feudal system.
The Social Structure:
One of the earliest forms of structure and order in the Philippines was called the Barangay. The barangay was a political and economic social structure which was led by a chieftain known as the rajah or datu.
The social structure was comprised of nobility, in which the datus and rajahs served as leaders to direct trade, agriculture, and crime. Furthermore, the ruling class had private land that they accumulated that was administered in the community. The basic social structure followed:
-
Maharlika/upper class: freemen who owned enough land in which they were not required to work in the fields. They were the richest people who held the most authority
-
Timawa/ middle class: the ruled class who included serfs, freed slaves, and other working classmen. These people were allowed to get married, have families and other intensive labors.
-
Alipon/ lower class: Include serfs and slaves who were punished and labeled due to their crimes. They also included those “inherited” their parents Alipon blood. Thus children of this class suffered as well. Many were incredibly poor, without rights or the ability to own property.
The Islamic Monarchy:
A feudal system in Mindanao and Sulu which was greater in size, political development, and economic development was the Islamic Monarchy. Here, a sultan was the supreme ruler who ruled over everyone utilizing the concept of “divine right”
The Islamic people first came to the Philippines as Malay Migrants. They brought their religion in which they tried to convert the existing people. Like the barangays, social development continued. Agriculture advanced with irrigation systems, live-stock raising, mining, shipbuilding, and the manufacture of metal implements.
Not only was the Islamic areas sufficient on their own resources, there was also interisland trading from Luzon to Mindanao. Trading also occurred with China, Indonesia, and Japan.
What does this lead to?
Before the Spanish, the Philippines already began its own civilization within itself, without much influence from the outside world. The people began to create their own identity with their specific social structure, government, forms of entertainment, and commerce. With the barangays, and the Islamic sultanates in Mindanao, specific cultures began to rise as well. Even in its early stages, the Philippines had a sense of independence, specifically a sense of autonomy due to the fact that they had ruled itself for until 1521. Later on with the Spanish arriving, there would be mixed reactions, being they had never had outsiders such as the Spanish arrive. Their influence and colonization would forever change the Philippines.
Early History, Pre-colonial Philippines archipelago:
Before the Philippines would become an independent country with its influence of imperialism, one of the earliest forms of influence on the Philippines was the Spanish. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippines. Magellan, who just suffered a mutiny from his crew, landed unknowingly in the Philippines. In the Philippines, the natives brought in Magellan who befriended the Sultan of Cebu.
Here, Magellan claimed the island of Cebu for Spain in which he named it the Islas de San Lazaro, even though no settlements were made at the time. One of Magellan’s biggest influence was his religion. He converted local chieftains to the Christian faith. This influence still holds an incredible amount of relevancy today as 92% of Filipinos practice Christianity. However, Magellan passed away in the Philippines as Lapu-Lapu, a local chieftain, led locals to kill Magellan due to his apprehension of foreign domination. This led to the events to come, as the Spanish would once come again to the Philippines with a stronger force.
Spain Sets Foot in the Philippines
Picture of LAPu-lapu,THE MAN WHO MURDERED FERDINAND MAGELLAN
SPANISH INVASION:
In 1564, the first true invasion of the Spanish occurred, which was led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Legazpi led the expedition that would establish Spanish rule over the Philippines. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was sent by Luis de Velasco to claim the Philippines. With 5 ships, Legazpi reached the city of Cebu. Here, Legazpi established spanish leadership first over small communities that did not have any central governments. Furthermore, he was able to establish rule with ease at first due to the fact most of the people (except the Muslims) were barely armed. Thus, in 1571, Legazpi established the city of Manila, the new capital of the Spanish colony after defeating a Muslim ruler. Manila became very important to the Spanish as the Harbor of Manila Bay had a large population and plentiful lands. Manila grew to become the center of the main activities of the islands such as religion, government, military, and other civil practices. A viceroy in 1589 was made by the governor with counsel of the powerful royal audiencia. However, the Filipinos would hold uprisings due to their disapproval of the encomienda system that was established. Following this, the Spanish rule would slowly decline as stronger uprisings were to come.
Spanish Decline
As Spanish rule continued, their decline would be influenced by a combination of internal unrest and reform. In 1762, the Spanish rule was interrupted due to Spain’s 7 year war. The British had also arrived in the Philippines, which weakened Spain's authority even though the British would leave in 1764. Ideas of rebellion and independence grew greatly, as the people in the Philippines were becoming more educated and globalized. A major factor was the opening of the Suez canal in 1896, as it allowed shorter voyages to Spain, producing an elite educated Filipino body, the Ilustrados, to study in Europe. The Ilustrados who were influenced by propaganda movements and Spain’s rule, began to demand fair representation from Spain and also independence. One of the most influential Ilustrados was Jose Rizal, as he wrote novels that inspired the need for independence. The fight for independence would soon begin.
The Philippine Revolution
In 1896, Rizal was executed for treason, thus the Katipunan, a secret group whose main purpose was to overthrow the Spanish, began to fight. The revolution started in the province Cavite, which would later spread out to outlying islands. Emilio Aguinaldo, the Filipino leader would rise, as Spain would try to create peace. However, fueled by the writings of Rizal, the peace was short lived as fighting would continue.
The Fighting Continues
In 1898, the Spanish-American war would greatly affect the Philippines. As the US would try to compromise with Cuban Independence and Spanish colonialism, the US defeated the Spanish at Manila Bay on May 1 1898. Later, the US invited Emilio Aguinaldo return to the Philippines to rally the people to defeat the Spanish. The US would contribute as they brought forces to the country, while the Filipinos had taken almost all of the islands of Luzon. On June 12, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo established Philippines independence from Spain in Cavite and Kawit. Here Philippines established its first Philippine Republic under the first Asian democratic constitution. However, the peace was short lived as the Philippines was transferred to the United States due to the Treaty of Paris in 1898. Furthermore, the US owned the Philippines due to the fact that if they did not receive ownership from Spain, Germany would try to take over the country as a colonial possession. So as Spain had to hand over Guam and Puerto Rico, Philippines was part of the negotiation.
Spain's Influence
Interestingly, Spain did not hold onto Philippines due to an abundance of resources such as spices, or precious metals. It holdings were more strategic as the Philippines allowed an easy and effective stop over in the middle of the Pacific, due to its peaceful people and ease of attaining food. One of their greatest influences on the Philippines was their religion. Since the people were lacking strong leadership without any major forms of defense (except the Muslim communities in Mindanao), Christianity and Catholicism was able to thrive in the Philippines. Even today the Philippines is the only Asian country with a majority of the population being Catholic, while in the south and Mindanao is still primarily Islamic. Furthermore, the Spanish also brought higher education, which enabled elite Filipinos to realize their status of being under alien rule. For this, the Filipinos had for the first time to really fight for independence. While it may have not been true independence, the Filipinos learned the ability to rise against higher power and its necessity in order to thrive. No longer were they under colonial rule, establishing a sense of individualism among the other countries. While their struggles did not end here, it has allowed them to prepare for the next invasion.
JAPANESE INVASION AND OCCUPATION (1942-1945)
On December 9, 1941, Japan held a surprise attack and invaded the Philippines, just ten hours after bombing pearl harbor. Japanese forces attacked in the air and the ground, sending troops into Luzon. Furthermore, the Clark Air Base in Pampanga was attacked, while entering through the Lingayen Gulf. On the defensive side, the Philippines had both United State and home troops in attempt to hold back the Japanese. About 80,000 troops were led by General Douglas MacArthur. While the Philippines tried its best to defend Manila and the Harbor to prevent further Japanese invasion, there was no reinforcements expected to arrive. For this, the Philippines declared Manila as an open city under MacArthur with influence of the President Manuel L. Quezon. This was done to prevent further destruction of the city as Japan occupied Manila on January 2, 1942. Defense was continued till its efforts were exhausted. Finally, the surrender of soldiers with General MacArthur on the Bataan Peninsula on April 9, 1942. MacArthur was ordered by President Roosevelt to escape and leave to Australia, while about 75,000 troops embarked on the “Death March” to a prison camp in which many died of thirst, hunger and exhaustion.
While many troops were ordered to surrender, many individuals refused to surrender. Many troops continued to fight through guerilla warfare. These troops were also organized and led by US and Philippine army officers throughout Japanese occupation.
The Japanese began to instate its government on the Philippines. They tried to organize a Council of State, which directed civil affairs. However, this ended in October 1943, till Philippines was declared an independent Republic. This republic was also unpopular with the people.
As the Guerilla troops continued to fight, major resistance came from Central Luzon. With about 30,000 armed, the rebels extended their rule over Luzon. Furthermore, once Sergio Osmena became president in 1944, he brought liberation forces that surprised the Japanese as they landed in Leyte. The Philippine government was established on October 23, in Leyte.
MacArthur's return:
On October 20, 1944, MacArthur and his allied landed in Leyte. Here, his forces would bomb Japanese strongholds until they regained that areas control. Attacking to reach Manila, MacArthur led the Battle of Leyte, which effectively defeated the Japanese navy, signaling the start of Philippine Liberation from the Japanese. Later, Luzon was invaded in January 1945, and Manila returned on July 5. The Japanese would suffer incredible loss as 425,000 men died. Finally, the Japanese would formally surrender on September 2, 1945. However, this would not change the incredible destruction and loss that the Philippines had suffered. About 1 million Filipinos had died, including an immense amount of destruction to the country.
THE AFTERMATH:
Even after the Japanese left, the country was still in devastation. Fighting continued politically, the economy was near to nothing, land was destroyed, and guerrilla violence continued. Even today, the effects of the Japanese war are still relevant. Many Filipinos in the country are poor and left to suffer due to the government's ineffectiveness. Surprisingly, Japan would contribute more money and resources than America as part of its postwar diplomacy. Japan is also Philippines’ top foreign investor. However, most of these resources were loans. In addition, these loans were not that effective, as only a small portion of influential businesses and contractors were able to benefit. Furthermore, once President Ferdinand Marcos took power in the 1960’s, he took more loans from Japan, while also repairing ties with Japan. However, this supported Marcos’ regime as these loans would contribute to the immense poverty and debt in the Philippines to this day.
The Philippines after the Japanese war would go through intense poverty and instability. While the Philippines would try to recover, the government would become incredibly unstable, taking in loans that would take forever to pay off. This leads to the reason in why many Filipinos would leave the country as opportunities were scarce, and the debts too high.
Picture of the areas of Mindanao, which was primarily Islamic.
Koro-koro, a pre-colonial ship that the sultans or datus would use.
Miguel Lopez Legazpi invaded the Philippines in 1564 with the first actual takeover to come
Jose Rizal (left) wrote novels such as "Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" that would greatly inspire the movement for independence
A mural representing the Katipunan rebel group, whose main goal was to remove the Spanish from the Philippines
The flag of the Kaitpunan which stands for "Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan"
Spain's influence of Catholicism still greatly impacts the Philippines, as most of the population is Catholic
Without a doubt, many people in the Philippines are loyal to the Pope, as these people take selfies with his cardboard representation.
General MacArthur
