1929 Bach Map of the Philippines

This is a striking Manila-imprint 1929 John Bach map of the Philippines. The map provides a detailed overview of the archipelago as a nexus connecting the Far East with Southeast Asia the Americas. It was moreover, issued on the cusp of the Great Depression, which destabilized global economies while at the same time setting the stage for Philippine Independence.

A Closer Look

Islands are identified and provinces are delineated in Luzon and Mindanao. Cities, towns, and villages are illustrated along with roads and railroads on all major islands. Natural resources are marked, including gold, iron, chromite, copper, and coal. Lines mark sea lanes between the islands and international routes to Singapore, Saigon, Hong Kong, Japan, and Guam, along with many others. An inset of central Luzon occupies nearly half the right border and details the transportation network between San Fernando and Lucena. In the upper right, a second inset highlights trade routes across the Pacific as well as through the Indian Ocean to Aden. A distance table appears along the left border and notes distances to international ports, along with interisland routes

Historical Context

In 1929, the Philippines was under American colonial rule, with a population of around 13 million. The late 1920s were a period of relative peace and stability, following several years of political unrest and armed conflict. This allowed industry and commerce to grow exponentially. However, tensions between the ruling American government and Filipino nationalists were still high, and calls for independence continued to grow. Moreover, in the year this map was issued, the Great Depression (1929 - 1939) began in the United States, driving the colony's major trading partner, and the global economy in general, into dire straits. At the same time, the Philippine nationalist movement grew stronger, with leaders such as Manuel Quezon advocating for self-rule and greater autonomy from American colonial rule. The economic crisis exposed the limitations of the colonial government's ability to address the country's economic challenges, further fueling demands for independence. The Commonwealth of the Philippines was established in 1935, which granted the country more autonomy and a pathway towards independence.

Publication History and Census

This map was compiled and published by John Bach in 1929 and lithographed by Carmelo and Bachmann in Manila. It is the sixth edition of John Bach's map of the Philippines. This map is well represented in institutional collections.