The Dutch Invasions of the Philippines 1600s
During the first half of the 1600s, the Philippines became a battleground as Spain and the Dutch Republic (having declared independence from Spain), fought for control of the East Indies.
Most of the battles were fought on the high seas, making it one of the most active periods when it comes to naval warfare in Philippine history.
The waters outside Manila Bay witnessed several of these engagements.
The largest naval engagement of the Eighty Years’ War was the series of battles in 1646 known as the Battles of La Naval. In a series of five battles, 4 Spanish ships defeated a Dutch fleet of 19 vessels.
The victory was deemed miraculous, leading to the annual Feast of la Naval.
Dutch invasions waned after 1646, making Spain the uncontested European power in the East Indies for the next 40 years.
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