British trade in the region continued. This happened after the British relinquished control of Manila and the Philippines to Spain in April 1764. Even though under the stricter trade laws for British and European merchants. The British adapted valuable resources during their brief occupation of Manila. Notably the Manila paper, a coarse brown paper made from natural fibers that were leftovers from the rice harvests. Then, the salt-resilient abaca rope or Manila rope proved beneficial for their shipping use.
Despite failing to completely conquer the Philippines they realized something. The British realized there were areas nearby that remained uncolonized by Spain. In 1771, they established trading posts in the Malaya Peninsula in what is now Malaysia. This led to their control of Singapore in 1824. Additionally, Brunei became a British protectorate in 1888.
The British also expanded their influence in Southeast Asia. They took control of trade in the South China Sea. Where they interfered in China’s political and economic matters in 1839. This led to Hong Kong being ceded to them. Five treaty ports were established for Western traders in China.
The British pursued expansion ambitiously. They took Penang through their East India Company in 1786. They later acquired Malacca in 1824. They solidified diplomatic ties with Japan through a treaty in 1854 and incorporated Burma into their Indian Empire in 1886.
Spain’s focus on the Philippines provided an opportunity for the British to further expand. In 1770, Lieutenant James Cook claimed the eastern part of Australia for the British Crown, naming it New South Wales. Then, a full colonization of the area in 1788 with the arrival of the First Fleet. The influx of settlers, including missionaries and traders, eventually led to the annexation of New Zealand in 1840.
The brief British rule in the Philippines triggered historical events. Awakens the spirit of revolution from the Indios, who would later come to be known as Filipinos. They realized the vulnerabilities of Spanish rulership. This period became instrumental in nurturing a sense of freedom and nationalism to inspire future heroes of Philippine independence.
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