Empire of the Philippines (1823)

In 1823, Captain Andres Novales got tired of how the Spanish treated the Criollos of the Philippines and revolted against Spain. Novales, sub-lieutenant Ruiz, their soldiers in the King's regiment, and 800 native soldiers seized the Royal Palace, City Hall, and the Manila Cathedral. The soldiers proclaimed Long Live the Emperor Novales as this happened (I'm not sure of Novales actually proclaimed himself Emperor or his men called for it).

However, the rebels failed to seize Manila's Fort Santiago because Novales's brother who was in charge at the fort wouldn't open the gates.

What if Novales's brother had opened the gates, the revolutionaries secured Manila, and they proceeded to establish an Empire of the Philippines under Novales?
 
In 1823, Captain Andres Novales got tired of how the Spanish treated the Criollos of the Philippines and revolted against Spain. Novales, sub-lieutenant Ruiz, their soldiers in the King's regiment, and 800 native soldiers seized the Royal Palace, City Hall, and the Manila Cathedral. The soldiers proclaimed Long Live the Emperor Novales as this happened (I'm not sure of Novales actually proclaimed himself Emperor or his men called for it).

However, the rebels failed to seize Manila's Fort Santiago because Novales's brother who was in charge at the fort wouldn't open the gates.

What if Novales's brother had opened the gates, the revolutionaries secured Manila, and they proceeded to establish an Empire of the Philippines under Novales?

It would last for all of 5 seconds before some other power sailed in and seized Manila Bay. One has to remember that the Catholic Church; who weren't going to back the revolt, were the main Spainish agents projecting control over the rest of the island, so Novale's "Empire" wouldn't be in control of the entire archipelago even initially... to say nothing of what's going to happen if various regions try to break away/establish independence. Without a strong financial basis, source of re-enforcements, ect., the the regeime would be doomed.
 
It would last for all of 5 seconds before some other power sailed in and seized Manila Bay. One has to remember that the Catholic Church; who weren't going to back the revolt, were the main Spainish agents projecting control over the rest of the island, so Novale's "Empire" wouldn't be in control of the entire archipelago even initially... to say nothing of what's going to happen if various regions try to break away/establish independence. Without a strong financial basis, source of re-enforcements, ect., the the regeime would be doomed.

I have to disagree with most what you said. Philippines at this Time had an estimated larger population and economy than Chile with most of it in Luzon. Even Luzon herself is larger population and economics wise than Chile. Reinforcements would be largely dependent on Spanish soldiers rebelling and local populace being drafted. This Happened in otl during the Seven years war wherein the Spanish need to draft a New army locally after British took Manila and there werent any reinforcements coming. That said army held British back in Manila from further expansion.

You are correct that any rebellion in the Philippines would not control the whole Islands initially. This includes all the not successful and successful rebellions in otl and all rebelions in ATL. But you dont need to control the whole Philippines, just to wealthy and populated parts.

In otl, even after the revolt was said and done there was still palmero conspiracy to deal with, wherein there are Spanish rebelling from Spain in the Philippines.

The other problem with your Catholic Church Support it is one of the reasons Filipinos rebel in the first place. So why ask Help from them? They Will be hanged or the Bishops Will be expelled anyways after the rebellion and be replaced with a local priest or a Spanish priest loyal to the cause.

Philippines is the unusual one from its Spanish colonial peers in otl during these Times wherein it was the one of those who didnt fully commit to rebellion even if they had the capability or the reason, tools for a successful rebellion.
 
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