Philippine Nationalism During the Spanish Period

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The Philippines has undergone two very significant periods in history, after which dynamic changes within the country have occurred. The way of life of the Filipinos has dramatically changed throughout the years, and nobody can deny that each event in the rich history of the Philippines has contributed to such transformations. Through the thorough discussion of the changes that occurred during the transition between the pre-colonial and Spanish periods, this paper’s intended audience may be able to learn more about how nationalism actually developed in the Philippines. Before the time of the Spaniards, The Philippines was divided into several regions and are governed by their own respective Datu or chief. The country was populous and solidarity can be seen in every community. Natural resources were abundant and the people practiced barter trade with neighboring towns and distant countries. The people have their own customs and traditions like for instance, they believed in paganism and natural spirits. They have adapted several great traditions such as Sanskrit, Arabic and Chinese culture in their language and art forms. Each and every one of them lived their own lifestyle. Many farm and cultivate crops, weave silk and cotton, mining, gold wining, looming, manufacture arms and are indulge in agriculture and construction. However, the people’s livelihood and culture changed as the Spanish colonized the Philippines. Legazpi took over Manila and several Spanish towns and cities were built. Social classes were defined and the gap between the poor and rich became even bigger. Cities or provinces apart from Manila were turned into small capitals called cabeceras and each cabeceras has an alcade, a small retinue, one or two friars and a few soldiers. Tributes were then collected by the soldiers from each family found in every cabeceras. The Spanish regime prohibited

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