POWER, SOCIETY AND TRADE. THE HISTORIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MACAO AND THE PHILIPPINES FROM THE 16TH TO 18TH CENTURIES
This study examines the evolving power, social relations, and commercial links between Macao and the Philippines from the 16th to the 18th centuries, within the framework of Iberian Asia and the period of the Iberian dual monarchy (1580–1640). The author argues that, although Lisbon, Goa, and Madrid...
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| Published in: | Review of Culture |
|---|---|
| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Articles |
| Published: |
Instituto Cultural de Macau
July 2003
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.icm.gov.mo/rc/viewer/pdfViewerParts/40007/3889 |
| _version_ | 1877196271396061184 |
|---|---|
| author | Leonor Diaz de Seabra |
| author_autocomplete | Leonor Diaz de Seabra |
| author_browse | Leonor Diaz de Seabra |
| author_facet | Leonor Diaz de Seabra Leonor Diaz de Seabra |
| author_sort | Leonor Diaz de Seabra |
| container_title | Review of Culture |
| container_title_str | Review of Culture |
| container_volume | 7 |
| container_volume_str | 7 |
| description | This study examines the evolving power, social relations, and commercial links between Macao and the Philippines from the 16th to the 18th centuries, within the framework of Iberian Asia and the period of the Iberian dual monarchy (1580–1640). The author argues that, although Lisbon, Goa, and Madrid pursued centralized control, the Macao–Manila axis developed largely through informal, market-driven exchanges that fused Philippine access to Chinese silk with the influx of American silver. Using archival and documentary sources from Macao, Manila, and imperial centers, the article reconstructs the logistics of this trade: Manila’s emergence as a major recipient of silver from Peru and Mexico; the circulation of Canton silks and luxury goods through Macao to Manila; and the payment in reales that sustained this exchange, enabling Macao to weather disruptions such as the 1639 Japanese market closure. Initially marked by official antagonism, the relationship between Iberian traders in Macao and Manila progressively shifted toward mutual commercial dependence, even as central authorities suppressed or contested China trade. The piece also situates these networks within broader geopolitical friction, including Dutch and English competition, showing how local Iberian commerce navigated imperial rivalry. Concluding, the author highlights Macao’s crucial role as a broker tying Manila, Canton, and regional Asian commerce, thereby shaping Iberian power, society, and trade across two centuries. |
| first_indexed | 2026-09-11T02:56:51Z |
| format | Articles |
| genre | Articles |
| genre_facet | Articles |
| hierarchy_browse | Review of Culture{{{_ID_}}}zotero-coll-76L3BRGH |
| hierarchy_parent_id | zotero-coll-76L3BRGH |
| hierarchy_parent_title | Review of Culture |
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| hierarchy_top_title | News |
| hierarchytype | Default |
| id | zotero-BNZHUSX8 |
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| issn | 1682-1106 |
| last_indexed | 2026-09-11T02:56:51Z |
| latest_content_date | 2026-09-11T02:56:51Z |
| publishDate | July 2003 |
| publishDateRange | 2003 |
| publishDateSort | 2003 |
| publishPlace | Macau |
| publisher | Instituto Cultural de Macau |
| publisherStr | Instituto Cultural de Macau |
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| spelling | POWER, SOCIETY AND TRADE. THE HISTORIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MACAO AND THE PHILIPPINES FROM THE 16TH TO 18TH CENTURIES This study examines the evolving power, social relations, and commercial links between Macao and the Philippines from the 16th to the 18th centuries, within the framework of Iberian Asia and the period of the Iberian dual monarchy (1580–1640). The author argues that, although Lisbon, Goa, and Madrid pursued centralized control, the Macao–Manila axis developed largely through informal, market-driven exchanges that fused Philippine access to Chinese silk with the influx of American silver. Using archival and documentary sources from Macao, Manila, and imperial centers, the article reconstructs the logistics of this trade: Manila’s emergence as a major recipient of silver from Peru and Mexico; the circulation of Canton silks and luxury goods through Macao to Manila; and the payment in reales that sustained this exchange, enabling Macao to weather disruptions such as the 1639 Japanese market closure. Initially marked by official antagonism, the relationship between Iberian traders in Macao and Manila progressively shifted toward mutual commercial dependence, even as central authorities suppressed or contested China trade. The piece also situates these networks within broader geopolitical friction, including Dutch and English competition, showing how local Iberian commerce navigated imperial rivalry. Concluding, the author highlights Macao’s crucial role as a broker tying Manila, Canton, and regional Asian commerce, thereby shaping Iberian power, society, and trade across two centuries. Instituto Cultural de Macau Macau Review of Culture Articles July 2003 Leonor Diaz de Seabra |
| spellingShingle | POWER, SOCIETY AND TRADE. THE HISTORIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MACAO AND THE PHILIPPINES FROM THE 16TH TO 18TH CENTURIES Leonor Diaz de Seabra |
| title | POWER, SOCIETY AND TRADE. THE HISTORIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MACAO AND THE PHILIPPINES FROM THE 16TH TO 18TH CENTURIES |
| title_autocomplete | POWER, SOCIETY AND TRADE. THE HISTORIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MACAO AND THE PHILIPPINES FROM THE 16TH TO 18TH CENTURIES |
| title_full | POWER, SOCIETY AND TRADE. THE HISTORIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MACAO AND THE PHILIPPINES FROM THE 16TH TO 18TH CENTURIES |
| title_fullStr | POWER, SOCIETY AND TRADE. THE HISTORIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MACAO AND THE PHILIPPINES FROM THE 16TH TO 18TH CENTURIES |
| title_full_unstemmed | POWER, SOCIETY AND TRADE. THE HISTORIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MACAO AND THE PHILIPPINES FROM THE 16TH TO 18TH CENTURIES |
| title_short | POWER, SOCIETY AND TRADE. THE HISTORIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MACAO AND THE PHILIPPINES FROM THE 16TH TO 18TH CENTURIES |
| title_sort | power, society and trade. the historic relationship between macao and the philippines from the 16th to 18th centuries |
| url | https://www.icm.gov.mo/rc/viewer/pdfViewerParts/40007/3889 |
| zotero_collection_key | 76L3BRGH |