SOPHIA MARIE DAPAR

Chapter 5-19th century Philippine Economy, Society, and the Chinese

Mestizos

The 19th century gave birth to the middle class, because of the cash
crops, the land became the primary source of income, and being able to
afford buildings; it gave rise to technical interconnections between the
Philippines' separate islands. The regional diversity of the Philippines has
been interconnected by railroads, steam ships and communication advances.
Literacy, a tool for decolonization, was also considered a weapon by the
Filipinos. It can be seen during the 19th century that the Philippines was one
of the richest countries of that period. It mainly dominated the supply of world
trade, being a country abundant in cash crops; and having this power, the
Philippines was considered technologically advanced during those times by
having to have railroads, steamships, and advance communication system.

The events of the 19th century shaped the view that the government had
to live under full charge and power of the Filipinos. These incidents were
essential to the development of the love of Rizal for his country because he
witnessed the many injustices that were being done to the Filipinos. He
observed how the Filipinos were stripped of their religious rights during his
childhood and sophomore years. He also noted that, depending on the
government that did not care for them, the Filipinos had to survive. All of these
events led Rizal to develop his love for his country in his essay.

The Filipinos in the 19th century had suffered from feudalistic and master
slave relationship by the Spaniards. Their social structure is ranked into three
groups: First is the highest class where most of the people in this class
includes spaniards peninsulares and the friars. They have the power and
authority to rule over the Filipinos. They enjoyed their positions and do what
they want. The middle class inclues the natives, mestizos and the criollos.
The lastly the Indios which are composed of poor people having pure blood
Filipino which ruled by the Spaniards.
Factors that contributed to the birth of Filipino Nationalism includes the
opening of the Philippines to the international or world trade, the rise of the
middle class, the secularization controversy, the influx of Liberal ideas from
Europe, the Opening of the Suez Canal. (Ferdinand De Lesseps) ,the
Martyrdom of Gomburza. In addition, in Europe and the US, the 19th century
was a dynamic and creative period. During this time, fundamental changes in
science, teaching, economics and politics were sparked by concepts such as
industrialism, democracy and nationalism. Such changes allowed men to
reach the heights of wealth and dignity.