Manila Acapulco

V The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade
The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, which united the three continents of the
Americas, Europe, and Asia in 1565, marked the beginning of trade relations between
Mexico and the Philippines. The Manila-Acapulco galleon trade began when Andres de
Urdaneta in convoy under Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, discovered a return route from
Cebu City to Mexico in 1565. A galleon refers to a type of sailboat used in the 15th to
18th centuries mostly for battles and carrying consumer goods. Galleons had big square
sails rigged onto several masts. They were built and sailed by many Europeans, but
they are most commonly associated with the Spanish. In fact, this word is derived from
the Spanish word galeón, which means “armed merchant ship.”
The galleon trade brought goods from all over the world, which allowed the
Philippines to become a hub for global trade. Trade products from around the world
were shipped in galleons headed for Mexico, including spices from the Moluccas,
pepper from Java and Sumatra, carpets from Persia, cinnamon from Ceylon, ivory from
Cambodia, silverware from Japan, silk from China, and cotton textiles from India. From
Cebu, Lubang, Manila, and Ilocos, The Philippines exported cotton clothing, cordage,
gold, wax, and textiles.
Manila became the first Premier City in the area in terms of social complexity and
economic wealth by the early 17th century because to the galleon trade. But, the only
people who benefitted the trade were the Spanish governor, members of “consulado” or
the people with high positions in the government. Filipinos, however, were subject to
exploitation. The vast majority of galleons used for trade were constructed in the cities
of Bagatao in Sorsogon Bay, Mindoro, Albay, Masbate, and Cavite, where laborers
were forced to work in the shipyards under the rules of polo y servicio. While working on
the galleons in the shipyards, they were given the difficult chore of cutting and carrying
heavy lumber to the coast, and they were paid less than the Spanish sailors. The
Pampanga Revolt in 1660 was a result of these factors.
The galleons not only transported precious metals and luxury goods, but also
people who brought with them ideas and traditions of their cultures back home.
Soldiers, missionaries, traders and skilled laborers traveled to the Mariana Islands and
back and forth between Mexico and the Philippines by way of the galleon trade route.
The trading route has also created a beneficial channel for the interchange of not
just products but also of culture, traditions, literature, and interpersonal connections.
From the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, trade and cultural interactions between
Latin America and Asia were greatly influenced by the Manila galleons, which were
ships. However, during the colonial era, the galleons also served as vehicles for the evil
institution of slavery.
The Manila-Acapulco galleon trade as formally abolished on September 14, 1815.
The Manila galleons remained vital to Spain's trade within its empire until around 1785
when the Philippines were finally opened up to other European traders. The Spanish
Crown decreed an end to the route in 1813, but one final Manila galleon, the San
Fernando, sailed to Acapulco in 1815. After Mexico won the war of independence
against Spain in 1821, 250 years of trade between Acapulco and Manila ended. Despite
being separated by the Pacific Ocean, the multicultural influence Asia has had on the
rest of the world is undeniably strong.
Reference:
Advocate, I. (2020, May 30). Remembering the Impact of the Manila Galleons. ECC.
https://www.eastcoastcoalition.com/post/remembering-the-impact-of-the-manila-galleon
The galleon trade with Mexico ended September 14, 1815. (2011, September 14). The
Kahimyang Project. https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/604/today-in-philippine-
history-september-14-1815-the-galleon-trade-between-the-philippines-and-mexico-ended
‌ anila Galleon. (n.d.). World History Encyclopedia.

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https://www.worldhistory.org/Manila_Galleon/

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V The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade

‌ anila Galleon. (n.d.). World History Encyclopedia.

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