The Spanish Conquest and Colonization of the Philippines

• Aims of Spanish Colonization (3 G’s)

  God – the conversion of the natives to Christianity

  Gold – Accumulation of wealth by finding a new trade route, look for spices, desire for greater profit

  Glory – become the most powerful country in the world
• ·         God – the conversion of the natives to Christianity
• ·         Gold – Accumulation of wealth by finding a new trade route, look for spices, desire for greater profit
• ·         Glory – become the most powerful country in the world
• 1300-1500 – last century of the Middle Ages
• ·         Spices

  -          Pepper, ginger, nutmeg, onions and garlic were the most important items of trade from the East

  -          Owing to the desire of the Europeans to enhance the taste of food

  -          To preserve meat during winter time

  -          The word “spice” is derived from the Latin Species, which initially conveyed something special

  -         enhance or mask food tastes; cure medical problems, provide antidotes to poison; used in making fragrances; part of magic and religion

  -          Spices that were highly valued: ginger, sesame, turmeric, pepper, cinnamon, and cloves
• ·         Spice Trade

  -          Began in the Middle East over 4,000 years ago

  -          World’s biggest industry

  -          Established and destroyed empires, let to the discovery of new continents, and in many ways helped lay the foundation for the modern world

  -          Conducted mostly by came caravans over land routes
• ·         Silk Road

  -          Important route connecting Asia with the Mediterranean world, including North Africa and Europe

  -          Significant factor in the development of the great civilizations of China, India, Egypt, Persia, Arabia, and Rome
• ·         1453

  -          The Fall of Constantinople and the emergence of the Ottoman Turks closed the former trade routes to the East

  -          Causing the monarchs and navigators of Europe to find new trade routes across the seas

  -          The Portuguese were a few years ahead of the Spaniards in the discovery of new trade routes

  -          The Portuguese were inspired by Prince Henry the Navigator
• ·         Bartolomeu Dias

  -          March 12, 1488

  -          Led the first European expedition to round the Cape of Good Hope, opening the sea route to Asia via the Atlantic and Indian oceans

  -          Considered to be the greatest of the Portuguese pioneers who explored the Atlantic during the 15th century

   

  Importance:

  The discovery of the passage around southern Africa was significant because, for the first time, Europeans realized they could trade directly with India and the other parts of Asia, bypassing the overland route through the Middle East, with its expensive middlemen
• ·         Vasco De Gama (1460-1524)

  1497

  -          Sailed from Lisbon on a mission to reach India and open a sea route from Europe to the East

  -          Sailed down the western coast of Africa and rounding the Cape of Good Hope

  -          Expedition made numerous stops in Africa
• ·         Vasco De Gama (1460-1524)

  Ø  May 1498

  -          Reached the trading post of Calicut, India

  -          Received a hero’s welcome back in Portugal
• ·         Vasco De Gama (1460-1524)

  Ø  1502

  -          Sent on a second expedition in India

  -          Brutally clashed with Muslim traders in the region

  -          Two decades later, da Gama again returned to India, this time as Portuguese viceroy
• ·         Vasco De Gama (1460-1524)

  Ø  December 24, 1524

  -          Died at India of an illness
• ·         Vasco De Gama (1460-1524)

  Ø  1539

  -          Body was taken back to Portugal for burial
• Reconquest of Spain

  ·         January 2, 1492

  -          The kingdom of Granada falls to the Christian forces of King Ferdinand V and Queen Isabella I

  -          King Boabdil surrendered Granada to the Spanish forces

  -          The Moors lose their last foothold in Spain

   

  Importance:

  It paved the way of great voyages including the discovery of Columbus of the New World (America) for Spain. After these remarkable voyages, Portugal and Spain became keen rivals in colonizing new lands