1

THE PHILIPPINES UNDER SPANISH RULE: THE POSSESSION OF A BURDEN COLONY

Taylor Chico

HST 401: Seminar in Advanced Historical Study

May 22, 2018

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Three hundred and thirty-three years of harsh weather conditions, constant requests in

aid, and frequent enemy attacks were the Spanish experience in the Philippines. During the time

period of Early Modern Spain, various colonies were acquired further extending their empire.

After the fall of Granada in 1492, the Catholic Monarchs began to focus their attention on

finding a trade route into the Asian markets. Asian markets contained valuable resources, which

attracted European traders. Unable to reach Asia, the Spanish crown conquered territories in the

Americas. To remain peaceful with Portugal, an agreement was made known as the “Treaty of

Tordesillas” in 1494. A line was to be drawn straight at a distance of three hundred and seventy

leagues west of the Cabo Verde islands.1 The agreement set a demarcation of lands that were to

be agreed upon. This enforced voyage limitations upon Spain. In 1521, an expedition under the

reign of King Carlos I of Spain led by Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, reached the

islands of the Philippines named after Carlos’s son Felipe. Magellan was met with heavy

resistance from the natives on the islands. He was killed on the island by the tribal enemy, Lapu-

Lapu. In 1565, the Philippine islands began to be colonized by Spain. The Spanish began

settlements on the islands. At first the colony had ambitions of prosperity, and seemed that it

would benefit Spain for numerous reasons. By obtaining the colony Spain would be able to

spread Catholicism, obtain goods from the Spice Islands, and eventually launch a conquest of

Asia. Spanish monarchs were strong protectors of the Catholic faith. They feared influences of

Jews and Muslims in Spain. In response the Spanish Inquisition began to identify the true and

false converts. The primary sources included are from the fifty five volume series, The

Philippine Islands, 1493-1898: Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands

and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in

1
Treaty of Tordesillas (1497), E.H. Blair and J.A. Robertson, The Philippine Islands, vol. 1, 122.
 3

Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial, and

Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to

the Beginning of the Nineteenth Century, edited by Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander. The

primary sources will help to support my argument by revealing the troubles that the islands were

experiencing. Many of the writers from the primary sources are governors, priests, and Jesuit

missionaries. Throughout the Spanish rule, they provide accounts about the condition of the

Philippines. Obtaining the Philippines as a colony would spread Catholicism to Asia, by the

work of missionaries. The Spice Islands contained valuable resources such as cloves, nutmeg and

mace. There was a high value for clove due to its scarcity, and it was not found anywhere else in

the world.2 Therefore the Philippine islands were in close proximity to the Spice Islands, which

made it easier to obtain resources from there. The resources were in high demand in Europe,

which meant a large profit could be made. Obtaining these resources would also increase trade

networks with other territories. There were aspirations that desired a possible Asian invasion.

Chinese and Japanese resources attracted Spaniards, especially Japanese silver mines and

Chinese silk. All of these reasons factors enticed colonization, but overtime they became difficult

to achieve. Overtime the demands of Spaniard officials on the islands increased due to the

challenges. Many letters were sent to the royal office in Spain demanding aid to the islands for

numerous reasons. From 1565-1730, the Moro Raids, Dutch attacks, costly Jesuit missions, and

the location of the islands were challenges that impeded the prosperity of the Philippines.

When analyzing the Philippines’ history, many historians tend to build off of the

Immanuel Wallerstein paradigm. Wallerstein is a historical social scientist known for his “world

2
John Villiers, “Manila and Maluku: Trade and Warfare in the Eastern Archipelago 1580-1640,” Philippine Studies
34, no. 2 (1986): 158
 4

systems theory”, but several historians of the Philippines see Wallerstein’s work as Eurocentric

in the way it views Asia as the periphery to Europe. Most likely the Wallerstein paradigm is used

when analyzing the Philippines’ economics due to European and Asian influences. The

Wallerstein paradigm argues that the world economy was controlled by Europe.3 John A. Larkin

includes the different topics Philippine historians tend to examine. He brings attention to the

political and foreign biases that influence Philippine historiography. Larkin argues for a more

socioeconomic perspective when studying the colonial Philippines, with a focus on regional

studies.4 This is due to the diversity among the Filipinos. Perhaps this is because of each tribe

being religiously and culturally uniquely different. Larkin believes that the Wallerstein paradigm

does not offer a socioeconomic study of the Philippines, since it is too “universal”. Katharine

Bjork rejects the Wallersteinan view as well. Wallerstein argued Philippine interests were

determine by European markets, whereas Bjork argues it was Asian markets.5 She believes that

Spain was unable to economically benefit from the Philippines. Some believe that the Philippines

was an economic “black hole” for Spain. While researching the topic, it is important to

understand: Why did Spain keep the Philippines as a colony? Historians are aware of the

challenges that Spanish colonists faced. They offer views of the reason Spain decided to retain

the colony. According to Giraldez, there were numerous attempts during the reigns of Felipe II,

Felipe III, and Felipe IV by the Council of Indies to abandon the Philippines.6 Spanish officials

argued for the abandonment of the islands because there were no financial gains to be made that

3
Robert S. DuPlessis, “Wallerstein, World Systems Analysis, and Early Modern European History," The History
Teacher 21, no. 2 (1988): 222.
4
John A. Larkin, “Philippine History Reconsidered: A Socioeconomic Perspective.” The American Historical
Review 87, no. 3 (1982): 595.
5
Katharine Bjork, “The Link that Kept the Philippines Spanish: Mexican Merchant Interests and the Manila Trade,
1571-1815,” Journal of World History 9, no. 1 (1998): 26.
6
Arturo Giraldez, The Age of Trade: The Manila Galleons and the Dawn of the Global Economy (Maryland:
Rowman & Littlefield, 2015), 81.
 5

were produced among the colony. It seems that the Philippines’ contribution was less to the

Spanish crown when compared to the Americas. Despite all of the challenges that were

associated with the colony, Spain continued to retain the colony until 1898. Historians tend to

agree with the colony being unprofitable for Spain. They view religion to be the reason to keep

the colony as a possession. In the book The Age of Trade: The Manila Galleons and the Dawn of

the Global Economy it is said that, “The historian John L. Phelan maintains that the

abandonment of the archipelago implied either the return of the Filipinos to paganism or the

occupation of the islands by the Protestant Dutch.”7 This belief is most likely accurate. As

mentioned earlier, Spanish monarchs tried preserving Catholicism. Abandoning the colony

meant abandoning Catholicism as well. There were excessive measures to ensure natives were

being Christianized. Many missionaries were sent to the Philippines for the purpose of

converting natives. Also there were numerous conflicts associated with the Dutch. There was

competition between the Dutch East India Company and the Manila Galleon Trade. The Dutch

were interested in the Moluccas, and had been in open revolt against Spanish rule, which resulted

in the Dutch independence. The Protestant Dutch would most likely spread Protestantism into the

islands; by destroying the work of missionaries. Luis Alonso says, “The idea to remain in the

Philippines was inspired by the temerarious friar missionaries who quickly settled in the islands,

a move which was also defended by some high-ranking members of the military.”8 Immediately

when Spaniards began to colonize, it was a major concern to convert the indigenous people to

Catholicism. If they failed to convert, they were met with violent consequences.

7
Giraldez, 75.
8
Luis Alonso, “Financing the Empire: The Nature of the Tax System in the Philippines, 1565–1804,” Philippine
Studies 51, no. 1 (2003): 68.
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The Philippines had significant influences on the world economy. This was due to the

Manila galleon trade. It is said, “Manila served as a link between America and Asia; the

founding of this outpost of the Spanish empire in 1571 ushered in a new era of world trade.”9

The world trade of goods ushered in globalization. The galleon trade was able to link goods from

different territories. World trade increased by the transport of the bullion, “Almost half billion of

these coins [silver coins] were exported world-wide during the seventeenth and eighteenth

centuries.”10 American silver was transported to China, and Asian goods to Mexico. The trading

system benefited Spain because Chinese goods were obtained at low prices for Spaniards.11

Similar to the Portuguese, the Spanish were able to gain larger profits by purchasing goods at

lower prices. The Philippines did not offer many silver mines to Spaniards compared to the

Americas. Potosi, a city in Bolivia, was a mine that offered larger quantities in silver. Silver was

obtained in the Philippines from Acapulco.

The location of the islands had caused much suffering among colonists. The Philippine

islands did not offer many resources that could be used to trade. The Spanish crown appointed

Spanish viceroys to the Philippine islands. Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was appointed with the title

of governor and captain-general of several Philippine settlements. He was given the power to

appoint officials, and became the president of the Audiencia.12 In return the Spanish crown

expected him to perform his duties accurately. Similar to the Americas, the encomienda was

enforced upon the Philippine natives. The encomienda system began during Miguel Lopez de

Legazpi’s rule in office. Therefore many of the native population had experienced harsh

9
Bjork, 25.
10
Salvador P. Escoto, “Coinage and Domestic Commerce in the Hispanic Colonial Philippines,” Philippine
Quarterly of Culture and Society 35, no. 3 (2007): 216.
11
Giraldez, 64.
12
Giraldez, 86.
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conditions. The system controlled the labor among them. Keeping the colony came at a cost, and

ushered in many financial issues to be dealt with by Spaniards. The colony eventually became a

burden of a possession. From the beginning of the colonization of the Philippines, Spanish

officials argued about the value of the islands. Bjork says, “We have already seen that Legazpi

regarded the exploitative potential of the Philippines as of little importance, and that he warned

the king against continuing to waste money on the colony.”13 Miguel Lopez Legazpi, a Spanish

governor in the Philippines, found that the islands were only beneficial because they contained

cinnamon. Also, another source she includes is by Juan Grau y Monfalcon, who said, “Those

islands not only did not increase royal revenues, but even decreased and diminished them, and

were a continual cause of great and fruitless expense, as they are so many so remote and so

difficult of conservation.”14 Both men agreed that it was not financially worth keeping the

islands because of their location. Their location did not offer any value to Spaniards. The only

item the islands offered was cinnamon, which could be used for trading purposes. The two

sources reveal that from the beginning of colonization, some important colonists suggested to no

longer retain the colony. At the time there were bad harvests of cinnamon. The continuation of

bad harvests in Mindano resulted in the end of trading cinnamon; this was due to the barks of the

trees.15 The location of the Philippines was susceptible to harsh weather conditions. This most

likely led to many deaths among inhabitants, which would then lead to a shortage in labor

supply. The Philippines is a Southeast Asian archipelago located in the typhoon belt, which

caused destruction to resources and led to deaths. Typhoons are common in the Asian territories.

The inhabitants experienced annual tropical storms on the islands. Manila galleons had an

13
Bjork, 34.
14
Bjork, 34.
15
Junald Dawa Ango, “The Cebu-Acapulco Galleon Trade,” Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society 38, no. 2
(2010): 165.
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important role in trade, and were relied on for income. Manila galleons were often wrecked due

to storms. Giraldez says “the [Philippines] archipelago’s irregular shoreline and its many reefs,

coral shoals, and other submerged hazards were constant dangers to heavy sailing vessels.”16 The

far distance from Acapulco to Manila made it extremely dangerous for traveling ships, which

caused numerous ship wrecks and the loss of goods on board. Voyagers had to deal with the

dangerous weather conditions of sailing through two oceans; increasing the susceptibility to

wreckages. Other destructive forces were the active volcanoes that were located on the islands

and the frequency of earthquakes. In the primary source “Condition of Philippines” it is

explained that, “In the year 1644, occurred the so terrible earthquake which destroyed and

overthrew two-thirds of the temples and buildings of Manila, and buried many persons among

their ruins.”17 It seemed that the Philippine islands experienced many different types of natural

disasters. Not one type of natural disaster was the most dominant. In response to the natural

calamities, there were letters sent requesting aid to help rebuild destroyed buildings. Another

trouble with the location was the faraway distance from the Philippines to Spain and other the

Americas. Giraldez says, “Sanchez [a Spanish Jesuit missionary] was aware that the Philippines’

vast distance from Spain aggravated the islands’ troubles, which were compounded by the

unhelpful attitude of settlers and bureaucrats who were looking for quick riches.”18 Sending

troops, missionaries, weapons, and money was definite by a tedious process. Enemies could

advance in their attacks by the time aid became available. The islands’ inhabitants often caused

violent attacks among the arrival of Spaniards.

16
Giraldez, 9.
17
Magino Sola, “Condition of Philippines in 1652”; Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands, vol. 1, p. 51
18
Giraldez, 67.
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The Moro raids ushered in a series of conflicts leading to economic distress. Moros were

Muslims of the Southern Philippines. From the beginning of the Philippine colonization, tensions

between the Moros and Spaniards were visibly imminent. There was a Muslim population on the

islands, of which the Spanish were in disfavor. The motives of the Moros to repeatedly attack

was most likely due to religious and trading purposes, which were in retaliation to the Spaniards.

“By the 1590s through the zealous efforts of Franciscan missionaries, many of them had been

Christianized.”19 Spaniards had to deal with the efforts of converting Muslims to Catholicism. At

times if a person refused to convert there would be violent consequences. Muslim traders on the

island were seen as competition to the Spaniards. In 1565, the hostility began when Spaniards

began attacking Muslim traders for their gold in Butuan.20 Spaniards feared that Muslim traders

would disrupt their trading. In response, they wanted to eliminate them as threats. It is said “in

1585, an official from Manila encouraged the king to evict and expel the Muslims from all the

Philippine islands, or at least to subject them and make them pay tribute, vanquishing those in

Java, Sumatra, Acheh, Borneo, Mindano, Sulu, the Moluccas, Malacca, Siam, Patani, Pegu, and

other kingdoms, which venerate Mohammed.”21 Further tensions would continue between the

Moros and Spaniards on the islands. Trade was unable to prosper due to Moro raids.

In 1565, the Manila Galleon trade route was established. Each year the ships traveled

from the Philippines to Mexico. At first the galleons had deported from Cebu, until 1571 the

capital had been established in Manila. According to John Villiers, “Nevertheless, Manila was

well placed an entrepôt for goods traded in the South China Sea and the Indonesian archipelago,

and before the Spanish conquest, had already begun to fulfil this role and to achieve thereby a

19
Francisco Mallari, “Muslim Raids in Bicol, 1580-1792,” Philippine Studies 34, no. 3 (1986): 258
20
Mallari, 259.
21
Giraldez, 63
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measure of economic importance and political development.”22 This was a reason Manila was

most likely chosen as the capital compared to the other islands in the Philippines. Manila was the

base of merchants from China and elsewhere in the region. The galleons would transport goods,

payments, letters, and missionaries. Variety of goods would be exchanged from each territory.

The galleon trade was an increasingly profitable business, but the only problem was the lack of

ships.23 Spain relied on the revenue that was brought from the galleon trade, therefore the

galleons were lucrative.

However, the galleons were costly to build. At first, galleons were built at around 8,000

pesos only, but later the construction cost rose from 30,000 to 95,857 and even up to 200,000

pesos.24 Moros started to attack shipyards containing galleons. Galleons were under construction

at the shipyards as well. The attacks were violent, often consisting of robberies and captivity.

They would raid the ships, and take any booty that could be obtained. It is said “they [Moro

Raiders] succeeded in burning a galleon and two patache, the barracks, offices and other

buildings with the damage and the loot calculated at a million pesos.”25 Often at times they

would attack any Spaniards that were on board the ships. They would hold them captive, which

would lead to torture. Or they would sell Spaniards to “Terongs” who were cannibals.26 Terongs

were a violent tribe that would attack settlements and kill natives. The Moro raiders were causing

great destruction to the islands. For unknown reasons, naval shipyards began to close in

Bicolandia in the 1700s.27 This was most likely due to the continuous raids that were difficult to

stop. They were able to be successful because they attacked unexpectedly, and there was little

22
Villiers, 147.
23
Giraldez, 64.
24
Ango, 164
25
Mallari, 262.
26
Mallari, 262.
27
Mallari, 269
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resistance stopping them. There was a shortage in troops and weapons. In response, there were

strategies to help stop the Moro assaults but it was difficult to grant requests. This is due to the

increasing requests in aid for the islands. In the primary source document “Military Affairs in the

Islands”, the writer is requesting for more troops due to the increase in enemy attacks. The writer

said, “That the Phelippinas Islands are far more distant from Espana and Peru, and in the midst

of many enemies; and that they should be annually supplied with men and arms.”28 Not only did

the request of assistance in Spanish troops increase, but also the need of weapons. There was a

short supply in weapons that were needed in defense against enemies. In the letter he continues

to say, “I beg your Majesty to send me these masters because there is great scarcity of artillery

for the defense and protection of this country.”29 It is clear that the writer is concerned about the

continuous Moro raids that were causing destruction. The need for such assistance in troops and

weapons in defense against the Moros were difficult for Spain. Due to the Philippines’ far

distance compared to the other Spanish territories, it was difficult sending troops and weapons to

the islands. The expeditions were costly to carry out. Also the distance would cause further delay

resulting in continuous raids. Another difficulty was the payment of troops. It was said, “If the

tributes are to be collected, two hundred more soldiers and a large quantity of ammunition will

be necessary, or much additional time. The troops have not been paid what Figueroa owed them;

and it is plain that no profit is to be expected in the island for a long time to come.”30 The authors

continues to explain if payment is sent, it will most likely be given to the encomenderos. The

Moro raids were costly because there was much needed in defense against them. It was

28
Francisco Tello, “Military Affairs in the Islands (1599)”; Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands, vol. 10, p.
207
29
Francisco Tello, “Military Affairs in the Islands (1599)”; Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands, vol. 10, p.
210
30
Juan de Ronquillo, “Pacification of Mindano (1597)”; Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands, vol. 9, p. 289
 12

increasingly difficult to grant the requests that were asked of Spanish officials in the Philippines

due to the distance and lack of funds. The Moro Raids continued due to the distraction of the

Dutch attacks.

The Dutch attacks were detrimental to the Philippine trade. There was increasing hostility

between Spaniards and the Dutch. As mentioned earlier, the Dutch were revolting against the

presence of Spanish rule in the Low Countries. Tensions continued between both in the

Philippines as well. This is due to the Spice Islands and religious factors. The Philippines and

Dutch tensions started with the Dutch inability to obtain spices. In 1580, King Felipe II became

King of Portugal. According to Otto Van Den Muijzenberg, he argues that when King Philip II

closed the Portuguese ports to the Dutch traders this caused them to turn to the East Indies for

spices.31 The article, “From Blockade to Trade: Early Dutch Relations with Manila, 1600-1750”

provides an account from Governor-General Antonie van Diemen and his Council in 1642, he

said “according to information received, the Philippines are more of a burden than a profit to the

Castillian king, which is not what the Company is after.”32 It seemed that the Dutch had no

desire of gaining the Philippines as a possession. They were more interested in gaining trade

relations in Asia, by impeding the Philippines. Most likely the presence of the Spaniards on the

islands were hindering the domination of the Dutch, so they wanted to eliminate them. The

Battles of La Naval de Manila were naval battles fought between the Dutch and Spaniards near

the Philippines. The Spanish were already suffering from the Moro raids, but attacks by the

Dutch worsened conditions. Defeating the Dutch and Moros became increasingly a challenge.

The attempt of defenses from both enemies led to an increase in expenses. It costed 100,000

31
Otto van Den Muijzenberg, “Philippine-Dutch Social Relations 1600-2000,” Bijdragen Tot De Taal-, Land- En
Volkenkunde 157, no. 3 (2001): 472.
32
Laarhoven, Ruurdje, and Elizabeth Pino Wittermans, “From Blockade to Trade: Early Dutch
Relations with Manila, 1600-1750,” Philippine Studies 33, no. 4 (1985): 488.
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pesos annually to maintain an armed fleet in Manila.33 Moro raiders and the Dutch began to form

alliances with each other against Spain. Author Francisco Mallari says, “But the Dutch eluded

Silva’s powerful fleet, sailed to Jolo and invited the Muslims to join them in attacking Manila.”34

The alliances helped each group uniquely benefit. There was trade competition between the

Dutch and Spaniards over the Spice Islands. “One of the Dutch aims was to try wresting control

of the Moluccas from Spain by weakening the Spaniards in Manila, the cornerstone of the

Spanish presence in both the Philippines and the Moluccas.”35 The alliance with the Moros

helped the Dutch advance. The primary source document “Oliver van Noordt’s Attack on

Luzon” provides an account of the Spaniard preparation of battling the Dutch by Antonio de

Morga, a member of the Royal Audiencia. The writer said “it is very advisable and necessary to

go, with all haste, in pursuit of said enemy, and to assure the safety of the vessels and the port of

Cavite.”36 They went further to advise for the equipment of ships. The port contained vessels,

which were to be prepared to battle against the expected Dutch attacks. In order to weaken the

Philippine trade relations, the Dutch entered the Philippine waters to attack. The document

“Filipinas menaced by Dutch” Joan de Ribera said, “And this was true, for he dismantled the

forts to arm the galleons, and the latter were burned by the Dutch in the year one thousand six

hundred and sixteen; so that we depend upon Espana alone for our aid.”37 The writer provides an

account of the suffering that is occurring on the islands, and is asking for assistance from the

Spanish crown; most likely without help it will result in its demise. He explains that the Dutch

33
Villiers, 160.
34
Mallari, 261.
35
Laarhoven, Ruurdje, and Elizabeth PintoWittermans, “From Blockade to Trade: Early Dutch Relations with
Manila, 1600-1750,” Philippine Studies 33, no.4 (1985): 487.
36
Francisco Tello, “Oliver van Noordt’s Attack on Luzon (1600)”; Blair and Robertson, The Philippine Islands, vol.
11, p. 141.
37
Joan de Ribera, “Filipinas Menaced by Dutch (1618)”; E.H. Blair and J.A. Robertson, The Philippine Islands, vol.
18, p. 161.
 14

are advancing because of the new galleons they have each year, meanwhile there was a loss of

Manila galleons. The Dutch were destroying or blocking galleons that were unable to reach their

destinations. There was a need for more galleons to continue trading; this led to an increase in

tensions with the natives. In response, “Spaniards gathered six or eight thousand natives to cut

trees and transport the logs to the shipyards” to make up for the loss of ships.38 Rebuilding ships

were not easy for Spaniards. The natives started to leave because of the forced labor that was

imposed by Spaniards; leading to labor shortage of ship building. Increasingly, the Dutch began

to benefit from the trade barriers that were issued against the Philippines.

The Jesuit missionaries led to increasing conflicts resulting in financial loss. The Jesuits

were founded in 1540 by Ignatius Loyola. A major goal of the Jesuits were to spread

Catholicism. They focused on religious expansionism. Spaniards were fearful for the demise of

Catholicism by heretics. Since 1581, the Jesuits were dispersed to the Spanish colonies.39 Upon

the arrival of Spaniards, an aim was to spread Catholicism on the Philippine islands. Jesuit

missionaries were sent to the Philippines in an effort to convert the natives. Spreading

Catholicism seemed like a benefit for Spaniards, but in fact it was costly to fund the Jesuit

missionaries. Throughout the years there were several grants given to the Jesuits in Manila.

These grants were given to build churches and schools on the islands. Most likely the Jesuits

believed it was essential to provide these institutions to convert natives. In the primary source

document “Royal Aid Requested by the Jesuits at Manila” Father Francisco Colin, rector of the

residence of the Society of Jesus, provides an account of the expenses that were funded to the

Society of Jesus. In 1625, ten thousand ducados were spent on a residence of the Society of

38
Giraldez, 81
39
Francisco Colin, “Jesuit Missions in 1656,” E.H. Blair and J.A. Robertson, The Philippine Islands, vol. 28, p.78
 15

Jesus.40 The ten thousand ducados did not cover the full expenses of the work. Father Francisco

Colin was concerned that there was not enough expenses to cover the work on the residence, so

therefore he was requesting more funds to pay back loans. Aaron Alejandro Olivas says, “The

task of recruiting missionaries, outfitting them with liturgical items, clothing, books, and

transporting them across two oceans was both complicated and expensive.”41 It was a major

concern to carry out religious missions, but the funding of the missions were expensive. In 1700,

Carlos II died without heir hence questioning who would take the Spanish throne. Many

Spaniards were in disfavor of the Bourbons, whom were a French royal family. There was a fear

of a French hegemonic rule by uniting Spain and France. The Spanish-Habsburg rule had

officially ended, in 1700 Felipe V became king of Spain. Jesuit missions still continued during

the Bourbon rule. The Bourbon Succession caused a fear in loyalty among the Jesuits

missionaries. In certain areas of Spain there were rebellions against the Bourbon succession. It

was feared that the missionaries would start rebellions when they were sent to the Philippines.

Therefore there were extensive measures to ensure that the missionaries were not threats to the

Bourbon rule. There was a process for the missionaries that were to be completed, which added

to the financial costs. Friars went under investigation to ensure their loyalty to the crown. The

investigation had costed them [the providence] 457 pesos in legal fees, in response they found no

evidence of their disloyalty.42 Some missions were not fully covered by the Spanish crown

because of their high cost. For one mission, Felipe V had spent 26,000 pesos which had only

covered half of the mission.43 From this mission, it is evident that the missionaries were costly to

40
Francisco Colin, “Royal Aid Requested by the Jesuits at Manila,” E.H. Blair and J.A. Robertson, The Philippine
Islands, vol. 27, p. 341.
41
Aaron Alejandro Olivas, “Loyalty and Disloyalty to the Bourbon Dynasty in Spanish America and the Philippines
During the War of the Spanish Succession (1700-1715)” (Dissertation, University of California, Los Angeles, 2013),
182.
42
Olivas, 115.
43
Olivas, 115.
 16

commence. Spanish officials had to find other methods on how to fund these expensive religious

missions. Missionaries were dispersed throughout the islands. Carrying out religious missions

became dangerous for the missionaries. Some missionaries had to fear death upon different

native tribes. In Mindano there was a large population of the Ternatans. From the primary source

document “Of the Island of Mindanao” it is said “The latter seeing that there was but little

inclination among those Indians for conversion as long as the Mahometan rebels remained

unsubdued.”44 The Ternatans were a violent group that had often held people captive. They were

“rebellious” towards the missionaries. There were an indigenous fear of the Jesuit missionaries in

the Philippines.

Spanish religious beliefs were detrimental to their trading relations causing trade barriers

with other Asian territories. Japan became reluctant to trade with the Philippines, “Thus such

later attempts as were made by the Spanish to trade in Japan were blocked by their association

with the hated and feared missionaries.”45 Many were fearful of being in close trading relations

with the Philippines. This is due to the belief that the Jesuit missionaries might be influential in

Christianizing. Having trade barriers with Japan was a disadvantage. There were valuable

resources that could be obtained and used to trade. This would benefit their enemy, The Dutch

East India Company, which the Japanese allowed them to stay.

The Philippines was an unprosperous colony due to the Moro Raids, Dutch attacks, costly

Jesuit missions, and the location of the islands. The primary and secondary sources support the

argument that these challenges made it difficult for the colony to be of value to Spain. The

44
Pedro Chirino, “RELATION OF THE FILIPINAS ISLANDS AND OF WHAT HAS THERE BEEN
ACCOMPLISHED BY THE FATHERS OF THE SOCIETY OF JESUS (1604)”; E.H. Blair and E.H. Robertson,
The Philippine Islands, vol. 36.
45
M.N. Pearson, “Spain and Spanish Trade in Southeast Asia,” Journal of Asian History 2, no. 2 (1968): 127.
 17

perception of possessing a colony is usually seen as a benefit for the colonizer. The Philippines

reveals that colonies were not always a benefit, and that there were challenges that came along

with colonies. For a time period, the colony was once prosperous but overtime experienced

stagnation. This was due to the continuous challenges that had increased. In researching the

topic, it is important to understand the challenges that hindered the success of the colony. The

primary source documents reveal the requests in aid. There was a repeated request in aid for

Spanish troops, weapons, and money. These were essential in protecting the islands from any

further threats. The Philippines’ funds were drastically impacted by the different conflicts. These

conflicts caused the colony to be unprofitable, and the colony eventually became a burden to

Spain. It seems that from the beginning, there were early signs that the colony imposed

challenges. The location was susceptible to typhoons and volcanic eruptions. This would cause

great destruction to the Manila galleons and harvests. Cinnamon was one of the few items

offered on the islands that could be used to export. There were substantial financial losses due to

the Moros raids. The Moro raids caused further chaos by causing destruction to the costly Manila

galleons. They would attack shipyards and steal goods that were on the ships. The Dutch wanted

to further crush the Philippines from dominating the trade in Asia. Their alliances with the Moros

made it increasingly difficult for a future of prosperity. The focus on spreading Catholicism

created economic challenges. A main concern of the Spaniards were to convert the native

population on the islands. It was expensive to fund the Jesuit missions. Japan viewed the Jesuit

missionaries as a dangerous threat. In c.1766, the Jesuits were expelled from the Spanish Empire.

The colony relied on the Manila galleon trade, but the ships were often destroyed. They were

destroyed by attackers at naval shipyards, or at sea. It is interesting to see the impact that the

Spanish had on the Philippine culture, which can still be seen today. Many of the Philippine
 18

language, religion, and customs derive from Spanish influence. Until 1898, the Philippines

remained a Spanish colony.

 19

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