Spanish Formosa

Spanish Formosa was a small colony of the Spanish Empire set up in the northern part of the island now called Taiwan. Back then, Europeans called the island Formosa or "Isla Hermosa" in Spanish, meaning "beautiful island," because of its lovely views from the sea. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to see the island in 1544 and gave it the name Formosa.

In 1626, the Spanish began their colony there to protect important trade routes. They wanted to keep ships safe as they traveled between Manila in the Spanish Philippines, Ming China, and Japan. However, the colony didn’t last long. By 1642, after facing difficulties and lack of support, the Spanish lost the colony to the Dutch Republic.

During their time there, Spanish Catholic friar missionaries helped about 5,000 local people learn about their faith. The Spanish also brought in traders and workers from many places, including China, Japan, Mexico, and the Philippines.

History

Background

In 1566, the Dutch stood up against Spanish rule in the Habsburg Netherlands. This led to the Eighty Years' War, where the Dutch, along with England and France, attacked Spanish colonies. The Dutch wanted to control the valuable spice trade in the East Indies, which was mostly managed by Spain through Lisbon. Because of this conflict, the Dutch began exploring new trade routes and places to settle.

The Dutch tried to take over Spanish places in Asia, including the Philippines, but they often faced strong defenses. In 1600, a Dutch group led by Olivier van Noort reached the Philippines and tried to disrupt trade near Manila. To counter Dutch threats, the Spanish decided to build their own settlement in the north part of an island known to Europeans as Formosa or "Isla Hermosa."

The early years (1626–1629)

The Spanish landed at Cape Santiago but moved to Keelung because it had a good harbor and was easier to defend. They named their first settlement Santissima Trinidad and built forts there. In 1629, they made a second base at Fort Santo Domingo in Tamsui.

First battle with the Dutch

In 1641, the Dutch decided they wanted to take over the Spanish settlement in the north. Their leader, Paulus Traudenius, asked the Spanish to give up peacefully, but the Spanish refused. They had fought in many battles before and were ready to defend their forts.

Surrender to the Dutch

In 1642, with fewer soldiers in Formosa, the Dutch attacked again. After a six-day battle, the small Spanish group could not hold out any longer and had to give up. They returned to Manila. The loss was blamed on the leader of the Philippines, Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera, who was later tried and imprisoned. However, lack of resources also made it hard to keep the settlement.

Government

Formosa was governed by a governor who answered to the captain general in Manila. The captain general took orders from the viceroy of New Spain in Mexico City, who was chosen by the king of Spain.

The governors of Formosa included:

• Antonio Carreño Valdés, 1626–1629
• Juan de Alcarazo, 1629–1632
• Bartolomé Díaz Barrera, 1632–1634
• Alonso García Romero, 1634–1635
• Francisco Hernández, 1635–1637
• Pedro Palomino, 1637–1639
• Cristóbal Márquez, 1639–1640
• Gonzalo Portillo, 1640–1642