#TodayinHistory in 1815, the last ship of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, arrived in Manila. The Galleon Trade was ended by royal decree of King Ferdinand VII of Spain, bec of Spain's bankruptcy & the Mexican War of Independence. (THREAD) #PH #history
The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade was a Spanish trading line that traversed the treacherous expanse of the Pacific Ocean for 250 years (1565-1815). This shipping line aimed to bring Asian products—silk, pearls, porcelain, gold, ivory—to Spain, while bringing gold & silver back.
In June 1565, Fray Andrés de Urdaneta, after establishing an Augustinian mission in #Cebu, plotted a course back to Mexico, at high latitude. Skipping the typhoons, the current (North Pacific Gyre) helped his ship reach Panama in 123 days. This became the galleon trade route.
The galleon trade made #PH became Europe's gateway to Asia, specifically to China. Approx. 250 million silver pesos & 50 million in gold crossed the Pacific. It was "one of the great commercial & logistical achievements in world history," an example of globalization.
Galleons were built in the port of Cavite, weighing 1,700-2k tons for it's sheer size to carry lots of cargo. It took at least 4-6 months for a galleon to reach Acapulco from Manila, & vice versa at great risk to the ship's crew, & investors. 26 of 108 galleons were lost at sea..
... in its two & a half centuries of activity. Due to galleon trade's great profitability, much of the agricultural & industrial potential of #PH was neglected, as Spain focused its energies on securing the shipping line.
At the end of 18th c. to early 19th c., the galleon trade had waned due to new economic competition & low demand for Asian products. Moreover, Spain was invaded by Napoleon, as wars of independence erupted in the Americas. Spain became bankrupt.
Photos:
- A part of the painting by Cornelis Verbeeck, c. 1618
- Map of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade route, from the Official Gazette PH 2014
- Illustration of the sinking of the San Diego by Théodore de Bry, 1603
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