Objectives of Spanish Colonization

Objectives of Spanish Colonization

1.  propagation of Catholicism in Heathen lands
2. To achieve political glory
3. To acquire economic wealth

Father Fernando Moraga – one who went to Spain to plead to King Philip III of Spain to retain Phil as colony.

Council of the Indies – the body that was created to help the Spanish monarch in administering overseas colonies.

Ministry of the Colonies(Ministerio Del Ultramar) – created in 1863 and assisted by the Council of the Phil.

Laws applied to the Philippines

Leyes de Indias( Laws of the Indies) – laws governing the Spanish colonies, also applied in Phil.

        Other Spanish laws enforced in Phil.

• Leyes de Toro
• Siete Partidas
• La Novisema Recopilacion

Central Government

Governor/Cpt-General -  head of Central Government appointed by the King of Spain

• King’s official representative in the colony

As Chief Executive – appoints and dismiss minor gov’n officials

Royal Audencia(Supreme Court)- issues executive orders w/ the force of law

As Vice Royal Patron -  has the right to nominate priests to ecclesiastical position

As Captain- General – he was the Commander in Chief of colonial armed forces

Cumplase – right as governor to suspend the operation of the royal decree if in his opinion said decree would not benefit the colony

Royal Audencia

        -created in 1954

        - served as Supreme Court/ Court of Last Appeal         for civil and criminal cases

Actos Acordados – laws that were enacted upon agreement between the members of the Royal Audencia and Governor-General

The Provincial and Municipal Governments

Alcadias – provinces that were pacified and already recognizes Spanish rule.

Alcalde Mayor – provincial governor appointed by Gov. –Gen.

Indulto de Comercio – privilege of provincial Gov. to engage in trade

Corregimientos – unpacified regions

Corregidor – head of Corregimientos, usually a military officer

Pueblo – town, barrios – villages

Gobernadorcillo(little gov) – head of barrios

• Addressed as Capitan
• Elected by 13 electors(6, Cabezas de Barangay, 6 incumbents, 1 outgoing cptn)

Principalia – Filipino elite or aristocratic class

Encomienda System

Encomienda – reward given to those who helped colonize the Heathen territory

Encomiendero – given the right to collect taxes, to protect & educate, and to convert constituents to Christianity

2 kinds of Encomienda

• Royal
• Private

Royal – owned by King of Spain, consisted of cities. Sea ports & regions rich in natural resourcs

Private – entrusted to either private persons or church and charitable institutions

Taxation

Tributes in cash – ( 8, 10 then 12 reales)

• Abolished in 1884

Cedula – served as income tax & personal identification

Bandala – requires a quota of commodities

Forced Labor(Polo)

Polo – impositions wherein Filipinos, 16 – 60 yrs old, were required to render services for 40 days.

Falla – exemption fee

Polistas – laborers

Colonial Society

Limpieza de Sangre( purity of blood) – created social ranking among various groups

                          [pic 1][pic 2][pic 3]

[pic 4][pic 5][pic 6]

[pic 7]

[pic 8][pic 9]

Spanish Mestizos -  born of Spanish & native parentage, also called kastila

Town ruling class – composed of gobernadorcillos, native families of means( elite group called principalia)

        Inquilinos – other members of principalia

Chinese Mestizos – children of Chinese & Indio parents

Galleon Trade & Tobacco Monopoly

Manila Acapulco/ Galleon Trade – gov’n monopoly which lasted for 2 & half centuries, abolished in 1815

Obras Pias – charitable institution financially supported by the Galleon Trade