Podcast Summary: "Pirates of the Pacific & the Spanish Empire"
Not Just the Tudors
Host: Professor Suzannah Lipscomb
Guest: Christy Patricia Flannery
Release Date: December 16, 2024

Introduction

In the episode titled "Pirates of the Pacific & the Spanish Empire," Not Just the Tudors delves into the intricate dynamics of the Spanish Empire in the Philippines, emphasizing the pivotal role of piracy in shaping colonial relationships. Professor Suzannah Lipscomb engages with historian Christy Patricia Flannery to explore how piracy, indigenous collaborations, and religious motivations intertwined to sustain Spanish rule in the Pacific.

Pre-Spanish Philippines: A Connected Archipelago

Timestamp: 02:59 – 04:10

Before the Spanish conquest in the mid-16th century, the Philippine archipelago was already a vibrant hub of transoceanic trade and cultural exchanges. Flannery highlights the Philippines' extensive connections with other parts of Asia:

"From the work of archeologists, there was trade with China. Chinese merchants were visiting the Philippines, had sultanates... Islam had arrived in the archipelago the century before Spanish rule."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [03:05]

The islands featured a decentralized political system with powerful sultanates engaging in trade and diplomatic missions, particularly with China. Islamic influence was already present, brought by merchants from present-day Indonesia, setting a complex pre-colonial societal structure.

Spanish Arrival and Expansion in the Pacific

Timestamp: 04:10 – 06:08

Spain's ambition to establish a route to Asia led to the exploration and eventual conquest of the Philippines. Flannery outlines the Spanish persistence in their Asian ambitions despite initial setbacks:

"Magellan actually died in the Philippines. He was killed in Cebu... It wasn't until 1561 that a voyage led by Legazpi made it to the Visayan Islands... this is really the beginning of Spanish presence in the islands that then lasts until the late 19th century."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [04:16]

The Spanish aimed to tap into the lucrative spice and silk trades, mirroring earlier endeavors like Columbus’s voyages. Their persistent efforts culminated in establishing a long-term colonial foothold in the Philippines.

Mechanisms of Spanish Conquest: Beyond Brute Force

Timestamp: 06:08 – 07:18

Contrary to the commonly held belief that Spanish conquest relied solely on brute force, Flannery presents a nuanced view where collaboration played a significant role:

"There is also many sustained instances of cooperation and collaboration between different groups of people in the Philippines and the Spanish."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [06:12]

While violence and repression were undoubtedly employed, the Spanish also formed alliances with local leaders to combat common threats, particularly piracy, facilitating a more stable and enduring rule.

Indigenous Perspectives on Piracy

Timestamp: 07:18 – 10:13

The indigenous populations viewed piracy as a pervasive threat that necessitated alliances with the Spanish. Flannery explains how piracy was integral to the local worldview:

"We can tell from archaeological records... that people don't want their families to be captured and taken away by their enemies, and they don't want their homes to be burned."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [07:36]

Piracy in the Philippines involved large-scale maritime raids, with captives and stolen goods being highly prized. The Spanish capitalized on this by partnering with local sultanates to form anti-piracy coalitions, which not only provided necessary resources but also legitimized Spanish authority.

The Role of Religion in Legitimizing Spanish Rule

Timestamp: 10:13 – 12:08

Religion was a cornerstone in the Spanish strategy to solidify their empire. Flannery discusses how Catholicism was interwoven with governance and military campaigns:

"Priests are acting as go-betweens between local communities and the representatives of the Spanish colonial government... fleets would be blessed before they go out to war."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [10:13]

The fusion of religious mission and military action fostered a unified identity among Spanish and indigenous populations, framing their struggles against piracy as a holy war against Islam and other non-Christian beliefs.

Piracy and Collaboration: Complex Relationships

Timestamp: 12:08 – 15:13

Piracy served both as a threat and an impetus for collaboration. Flannery emphasizes the dual nature of piracy in reinforcing Spanish legitimacy while also highlighting the precariousness of colonial rule:

"It could be both, because if the threat of this warfare is endemic... it’s a source of legitimacy and it's showing like this is what empire can do on the ground."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [12:18]

Collaborative efforts against pirates enabled the Spanish to integrate various indigenous groups into their colonial framework, ensuring a degree of stability and support crucial for maintaining their empire.

The Chinese Pirate Threat and Massacres

Timestamp: 15:13 – 18:22

The rise of Chinese pirate fleets in the 17th century posed a significant external threat to the Spanish-controlled Philippines, leading to severe reprisals against the Chinese community:

"We see three large-scale massacres of Chinese people in the Philippines in the 17th century... at least 15,000 people were really slaughtered on each of those occasions."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [15:29]

These massacres were fueled by fears of a pirate invasion and mistrust towards the burgeoning Chinese population, who were integral to the galleon trade but increasingly viewed as potential allies of the pirates.

British Invasion: Pirates or Imperialists?

Timestamp: 18:22 – 21:00

The British invasion of Manila during the Seven Years' War was perceived by the Spanish as another piratical threat, despite the British viewing themselves as legitimate imperialists:

"They lay siege to the city. They sack churches... stealing the jewels off the indigenous women’s wrists and taking captives. So really they’re acting like pirates."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [18:34]

The British ended up following the familiar patterns of piracy, which the Spanish capitalized on to galvanize local support against them.

Restoration of Spanish Rule and Aftermath

Timestamp: 21:00 – 26:06

The capture and subsequent siege of Manila by the British led to significant turmoil. Flannery details the efforts to restore Spanish rule, highlighting indigenous revolts and continued resistance:

"Shortly after the city falls, there are huge indigenous revolts break out in Luzon... both sides claim to be Catholic and with God's favor on their side."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [24:30]

The eventual defeat of the British and the suppression of indigenous rebellions reaffirmed Spanish authority, showcasing the resilience of their colonial strategy.

Forced Migration of Chinese Migrants

Timestamp: 26:06 – 29:10

In the aftermath of the British invasion, the Spanish colonial government resorted to drastic measures against the Chinese population, leading to forced migrations:

"The entire Chinese nation in the Philippines are through a government inquiry labeled traitors... people are forced to leave, boarded onto ships, and sent back to China or neighboring regions."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [26:13]

This period of forced migration was marked by widespread scapegoating and violent repression, severely disrupting the Chinese community's presence in the Philippines.

Alliances with Mysore: Geopolitical Dynamics

Timestamp: 29:10 – 31:46

Amidst ongoing imperial rivalries, the Spanish sought alliances beyond the Philippines to counter British ambitions. Flannery explains the strategic alliance with the Indian state of Mysore:

"The governor of the Philippines sends an embassy to Sultan of Mysore who was an enemy of the British... to deal with these anti-Britain alliances."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [29:24]

This alliance reflected the global nature of colonial conflicts, with European powers seeking to bolster their positions through strategic partnerships across continents.

Conclusion: Re-examining the Spanish Empire Through Piracy

Timestamp: 31:46 – 34:17

Flannery emphasizes the importance of understanding the Spanish Empire through the lens of piracy to uncover the complexities of colonial interactions:

"Piracy really emerges there as this really central threat... it's a way to access indigenous people's experiences of empire and responses to empire."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [32:04]

By acknowledging both collaboration and resistance, this perspective restores agency to the colonized populations, illustrating that the Spanish Empire was sustained through multifaceted relationships rather than mere domination.

"Without the collaboration and cooperation, there wouldn't have been a Spanish empire in the Philippines... It restores agency to those who are colonized."
— Christy Patricia Flannery [33:50]

Final Remarks

Professor Lipscomb and Christy Flannery conclude the episode by underscoring the nuanced understanding of colonialism that emerges from studying piracy's role. Recognizing the active participation and agency of indigenous and migrant communities provides a more comprehensive and balanced view of the Spanish Empire's legacy.

Notable Quotes:

• "Piracy really emerges there as this really central threat." — Christy Patricia Flannery [32:04]
• "It restores agency to those who are colonized." — Christy Patricia Flannery [33:50]
• "This is a very different world to 2024 in which so much has attributed to the intervention of God." — Christy Patricia Flannery [12:08]

Conclusion

This episode of Not Just the Tudors offers a compelling exploration of the Spanish Empire's reliance on combating piracy to maintain control over the Philippines. By integrating indigenous collaborations and the complexities of colonial relationships, historian Christy Patricia Flannery provides a richer, more intricate portrayal of colonialism, challenging the simplistic narrative of Spain's dominance through sheer force.