When Ferdinand Magellan was sailing for Spain, he came across the Philippines on accident. When Magellan anchored along the shore of Cebu in 1521, he claimed the land for Spain. He was not welcomed warmly when he encountered the natives, however. "Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese-born navigator sailing for Spain made the European discovery of the Philippines on 15 March 1521, but the Filipino chieftain Lapulapu killed Magellan in battle" ("Philippines", para. 26).
Almost immediately, Spanish conquistadors sailed to this newly discovered country and began invading the land from the native people. They placated the natives by converting them to Christianity. The Spaniards commenced trading the goods of the Philippines among the rest of their land including Spain and Mexico. During the 1820s, the Filipinos began revolting against the trade monopoly and the forced labor they were entitled to do. The people began to aspire independence from Spain. Finally, the people’s intentions climaxed leading into a two year rebellion. The execution of the patriotic leader, Jose Rizal, marked the end of the retaliation. |