End of the Galleon Trade

• Background

  The Galleon Trade between Manila and Acapulco (Mexico) was a major source of income for the Spanish government in the Philippines from 1565 to 1815.
• Impact

  This trade route made Manila a central trading hub, attracting Chinese merchants and facilitating cultural exchanges. It also introduced political and liberal ideas to the Philippines.
• End

  The trade ended in 1815 when Mexico gained independence from Spain, leading to economic adjustments in the Philippines.
• Impact on Rizal

  The end of the Galleon Trade in 1815 marked a shift in the Philippine economy and opened the country to new economic activities. Although Rizal was born decades later, the end of this trade route indirectly influenced the socio-economic environment of his time. The decline of Spanish economic control and the introduction of new ideas set the stage for reformist thoughts.
• Impact on Filipinos

  The end of the trade led to economic restructuring. The exposure to international trade and ideas increased, fostering a sense of national identity and awareness among Filipinos, eventually leading to a desire for independence.