Make a research on the topic:

The Philippines in the 19th century as Rizal's context:

A. Political Aspect
1. The Spanish Colonial Government
He political structure Spain established a centralized colonial government in the
Philippines that was composed of a national government and the local governments that
administer provinces, cities, towns, and municipalities.
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT:
maintained peace and order
collected taxes
built schools and other public works
THE GOVERNOR GENERAL
The Kings representative and the highest-ranking official in the Philippines
Royal decrees and laws emanating from Spain were implemented in the
Philippines
Had the power to appoint and dismiss public officials, except those personally
chosen by the King
2. Political Instability in Spain
A cursory glance at the political picture of Spain in the 19th century shows a bewildering
period of instability and conflict. In short, it was a century of trauma.
As a generalization, the period reflected a clash between systems.  On the one hand we
have the old, the so-called Ancient régime or absolute monarchy, propped up by a conservative
Church and other entrenched interests (e.g. the privileged aristocracy), and on the other hand a
new, unstable and ill-defined system in search of an identity, but loosely called liberalism. 
Among the radical changes called for by the liberals was a constitutional monarchy, with
political power invested in the Nation (Constitution of 1812, art. 3), and the right to express
political opinions freely (Constitution of 1812, art. 371).

3. Corrupt Government Officials

- Gen. Rafael de Isquerdo - incompetent and cruel, boastful, ruthless, executed
GOMBURZA in 1872.
- Admiral Jose Malcampo - successor of Izquierdo who was a good Moro fighter but was
an inept and weak administrator.
- Gen. Primo de Rivera – accepted bribes from gambling casino which he permitted to
operate.  Gen. Valeriano Weyler (1888-1891) – cruel and corrupt; received huge bribes, gifts
and diamonds from wealthy Chinese who evaded anti-Chinese law; persecuted Calamba tenants
particularly the family of Dr. Jose Rizal.  Gen. Camilo de Polavieja – heartless governor;
executed Dr. Jose Rizal.
B. Social Aspect
1. Social Stratification

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:
  Highest class – the people that belong in this class include the 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 Spanish officials
- The Peninsulares (Spaniards who were born in Spain). They held the most
important government jobs and made up the smallest number of the population.
- The Friars are members of any of certain religious orders of men, especially the
four mendicant orders (Augustinians, Carmelites, Dominicans, and Franciscans).
 Middle Class – the people that belongs into this class includes the natives, mestizos and
the criollos.
- Natives – the pure Filipinos
- The Mestizos  are the Filipinos of mixed indigenous Filipino or European or
Chinese ancestry.
 Lowest class – this class includes the Filipinos only.
- The Indios are the poor people having pure blood Filipin which ruled by the
Spaniards.

2. Spanish Oppressive System

- No Philippine Representation in Spanish Cortes The representation of the overseas
colonies in the Spanish Cortes was abolished in 1837. Since then the Philippines condition
worsened because there was no means by which the Filipino people could expose the anomalies
perpetrated by the colonial officials. Philippine representation in the Cortes was never restored.
- Human Rights Denied to Filipinos  The people of Spain enjoyed freedom of speech,
freedom of the press, freedom of the association and other human rights (except freedom of
religion). The Spanish authorities who cherished these human rights or constitutional liberties in
Spain denied them to the Filipinos in Asia.
- Equality Before the Law Filipinos were abused, brutalized, persecuted, and slandered.
Spanish missionaries thought that ALL MEN irrespective of color and race are children of God
and as such they are brothers, equal before God and not before the law not in practice. Leyes de
Indias (Laws of the Indies) rarely enforced. Spanish Civil Code imposed light penalties on
Spaniards but heavier penalties to native Filipinos.
- Maladministration of Justice  The courts of justice were notoriously corrupt. Judges,
fiscals, and court officials were inept, venal and oftentimes ignorant of law.  Justice was costly,
partial and slow. Poor Filipinos has no access to the courts. To the Filipino masses, litigation in
court was a calamity.
3. Educational System
PHILIPPINE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM DURING SPANISH TIME
1855 - the year Spain realized the need of establishing a system of public education for the
indios. - this was also the year that Gov. Gen Crespo organized a Commission and recommended
remedial measures to improve elementary education
1861 - the year the Commission completed its report and forwarded it to Spain.
1863 - the year that the Educational Decree of 1863 was issued. Provisions of Educational
Decree of 1863
1. Establishments of Teacher Training School.
2. Government supervises the public-school system.
3. Use of Spanish as medium of instruction in all schools.
 4. Establishment of one primary schools for boys and for girls in each of major town.

C. Economic Aspect
1. Encomienda
The encomienda was a grant of the right to use labor and exact tribute from a given
group of natives conveyed to a person in return for service to the Spanish crown. The origins of
the institution in the Americas dates back to 1497 when Christopher Columbus assigned native
communities to Francisco Roldá and his men.
 TWO TYPES OF ENCOMIENDAS:
Owned by the King of Spain = ROYAL ENCOMIENDA
Owned by private individuals = PRIVATE ENCOMIENDA
2. Polo y Servicios
It is the forced labor for 40 days of men ranging 16 to 60 years of age who were obligated
to give personal services to community projects. One could be exempted from polo by paying the
falla, a daily fine of one and a half real.
 Forced Labor (Polo y servicio) compulsory labor imposed by the Spanish colonial
authorities on adult Filipino males in the construction of churches, schools, hospitals, buildings,
roads and bridges, ships etc. Filipino males from 16 to 60 years old were obliged to render forced
labor for 40 days a year.
3. Tributo
Filipinos paid taxes to Spain. TRIBUTE (TRIBUTO) the Filipinos were compelled to pay
tribute called TRIBUTO, to the colonial government. The tributo was imposed as a sign of the
Filipinos loyalty to the king of Spain.

4. Bandala
The Bandala System was a system implemented by Spanish authorities in the Philippines
that required native Filipino farmers to sell their goods to the government. The farmers were not
in favor of this system and were not even offered fair market prices for their crops.
5. Galleon Trade
Also known as the MANILA-ACAPULCO TRADE Trading was done between Manila
and Acapulco, Mexico. This was a government monopoly that last for 250 years. The galleons
carried spices, porcelain, ivory, lacquerware, silk to be sold in Mexico. The trip to Mexico lasted
for 200 days. The return trip lasted for 70 days. Only the elite can benefit from this trade. People
needed to buy a BOLETA. The boleta is the ticket worth P 250.00.
Bad Effects: Neglect of local products. The Filipinos became poorer.