what was the form of tax imposed by the spaniards upon their arrival in the philippines?
What was the form of tax imposed by the Spaniards upon their arrival in the Philippines?
Answer:
When the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines, they implemented various forms of taxation to exploit the resources of the islands. One of the significant taxes imposed by the Spaniards was the “tribute system.”
The tribute system required indigenous Filipinos to pay taxes in the form of goods and labor. Each indigenous community had to provide a certain number of days of labor each year to the Spanish authorities, working on public projects or serving as forced laborers. Additionally, they were required to pay tribute in the form of produce such as rice, abaca, and other agricultural products.
Aside from the tribute system, the Spaniards also levied other taxes such as the “cedula” or personal tax, which required every male adult to carry an identification card that showed they had paid the tax. Failure to produce the cedula upon demand could result in penalties or imprisonment.
Overall, the Spanish taxation system in the Philippines was oppressive and exploitative, contributing to the hardships faced by the local population during the Spanish colonial period.