<P> Before the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan, the Philippines was split into numerous barangays, which were not unlike the Greek city - states . These barangays warred, made peace, traded and had relations with each other . In Mindanao, Islamic sultanates such as the Sultanate of Sulu and Maguindanao, prospered . Ferdinand Magellan's death in 1521 can be partly attributed to a dispute between Lapu - Lapu and Rajah Humabon for control of Cebu . The Kingdom of Maynila was trading with China and other nearby empires when Miguel Lopez de Legazpi conquered the kingdom in 1565 and assimilated it with the other kingdoms he had conquered nearby to unite the Philippines under Spanish rule . </P> <P> Upon the subjugation of the local population in Manila and Cebu, the Spaniards refused the locals any political participation . The old ruling class in the pre-Spanish era were given essentially powerless government posts . Several revolts erupted against Spain but were all defeated . In 1808, when Joseph Bonaparte became king of Spain, the liberal constitution of Cadiz was adopted, giving the Philippines representation to the Spanish Cortes . However, once the Spanish overthrew the Bonapartes, the Philippine, and indeed colonial, representation in the Spanish Cortes was rescinded . </P> <P> The restoration of Philippine representation to the Cortes was one of the grievances of the Illustrados, the learned indigenous class during the late 1800s . The Illustrados mounted a campaign that would include indigenous voices in running the government . However, the Katipunan advocated complete Philippine independence, thereby starting the Philippine Revolution in 1896 . After the execution of Jose Rizal in December 30, 1896, the leader of the Illustrados who disapproved of the revolution, the rebellion intensified . Cavite, Bulacan and Morong were the main areas of conflict; the Katipunan in Cavite had won several battles against the Spaniards, but was split into the Magdiwang and Magdalo factions . A conference was held in 1897 to unite the two factions, but instead caused further division that led to the execution of Andres Bonifacio, who was then the leader of the Katipunan; Bonifacio's death passed the control of the Katipunan to Emilio Aguinaldo . </P> <P> The death of Bonifacio also caused several of the revolutionaries to be demoralized; Aguinaldo and his men retreated northward until reaching Biak - na - Bato in San Miguel, Bulacan . The Spaniards and the revolutionaries signed the Pact of Biak - na - Bato, that provided for Aguinaldo's surrender and exile to Hong Kong, and amnesty and payment of indemnities by the Spaniards to the revolutionaries . However, both sides eventually violated the agreement, and this gave an opportunity for the United States admiral George Dewey to lead his squadron to Manila Bay, defeating the Spanish navy . Aguinaldo returned from exile, most of the Philippine revolutionaries rallying to his cause, and negotiated with the Americans, while the Americans in 1898 defeated the Spaniards in what was called a mock battle in Manila, and took control of the city . Aguinaldo then proclaimed the independence of the Philippines on June 12, 1898 at his home in Cavite . A Congress was convened in January 1899 in Barasoain Church and inaugurated the first Philippine Republic . </P>

Why we should study philippine politics and governance