Spanish Conquest

• In the 15th century, Philippines was invaded by Spain and reigned over the Philippines for 333 years, from 1565 to 1898.
• Through Spain, Philippines became Catholic.
• Philippines got new and more advanced culture from Europe and Mexico.
• For the first time, Philippines lost its freedom or independence due to Spain.
• Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese in the service of the Spanish crown, was looking for a westward route to the Spice Islands of Indonesia.
• On March 16, 1521, Magellan's expedition landed on Homonhon island in the Philippines.
• Rajah Humabon of Cebu was friendly with Magellan and embraced Christianity, but their enemy, Lapu- Lapu, was not.
• Humabon wanted Magellan to kill Lapu- Lapu while Magellan wanted to convert Lapu-Lapu into Christianity.
• On April 27, 1521, Magellan sailed to Mactan and ensuing battle killed Magellan by the natives lead by Lapu- Lapu.
• Out of the five ships and more than 300 men who left on the Magellan expedition in 1519, only one ship (the Victoria) and 18 men returned to Seville, Spain on September 6, 1522.
• Christianity's Introduction.
• Centralized form of government.
• Latin alphabet.
• Superiority of Spanish arms and in art of warfare.
• Willingness to cooperate with the Spaniards (as manifested by numerous blood compacts and treaties of friendship between Filipinos and Spaniards).
• Educational Decree 1863 focused on the Christian Doctrines.
• In 1574, Manila was bestowed the title "Insigne y Siempre Leal Ciudad de España" (Distinguished and ever loyal city of Spain) by King Philip II of Spain.
• The barangays were scattered and were not united by a integrative political or religious system (only Mindanao and Sulu because of religious reasons were not conquered).
• Diversity of language which resulted to lack of communication among ethics areas.
• Each province was divided into several towns or pueblos headed by Gobernadorcillos (Little Governor).
• The said expedition was considered historic because it marked the first circumnavigation of the globe and proved that the world was round.
• Juan Sebastian de Elcano, the master of ship "Concepcion" took over the command of the expedition after the death of Magellan and captained the ship "Victoria" back to Spain.
• Juan Sebastian de Elcano and his men earned the distinction of being the first to circumnavigate the world in one full journey.
• After Magellan's death in Cebu, it took 16 more months for Elcano to return to Spain.
• The Legazpi Expedition was led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, who was accompanied by Andres de Urdaneta, a priest who had survived the Loaisa mission.
• King Charles I decided that Spain should conquer the Philippines after Spain had celebrated Elcano’s return.
• Five subsequent expeditions were sent to the Philippines after Spain had conquered the Philippines.
• Spain established a centralized colonial government in the Philippines that was composed of a National Government and the Local Governments that administered provinces, cities, towns and municipalities.
• Larger towns became cities called Ayuntamiento.
• The Governor General was also the president of the Royal Audencia, a special judicial court that investigates the performance of a Governor General who was about to be replaced.
• In 1571, Legazpi ordered the construction of the walled city of Intramuros and proclaimed it as the seat of government of the colony and the capital of the islands.
• The ayuntamiento became the center of trade and industry.
• The Alcaldia, led by the Alcalde Mayor, governed the provinces.
• The Visitador General reported his findings directly to the king.
• On February 13, 1565, Legazpi's expedition landed in Cebu.
• The rest of the world came to know our country by that name.
• On orders of the King Philip II, 2,100 men arrived from Mexico to join Legazpi in the Philippines.
• The Corregidor, head of the Corregimiento, governed the provinces that were not yet entirely under Spanish control.
• Though they were paid a small salary, they enjoyed privileges such as the Indulto de Comercio or the right to participate in the Galloon Trade.
• Goiti arrived in Manila on May 8, 1570.