READING MATERIALS

The Conditions in the 19th Century

The start of the 19th century pertains to period between January 1, 1801 and
December 31, 1900.
This century was a period of drastic change from political, social and economic
development in the society. The world in the 19 th century made significant
changes in the social aspect of the society especially within the case of the
abolition of slavery, urbanization and industrial revolution. This also marks the
collapsed of major empires such as the Roman, Mughal and Spanish empires.
The collapse of these empires pave the way of the emergence of new empires
such as the Russian, British and German empires. In the case of the
Philippines it was affected since Spain the colonizer country was affected by
this change and significantly affecting its colonized countries.
19th century Economic Scene
There was a gradual elimination of the galleon trade in the Philippines. By the
mid-1830’s Manila was open to other merchants without restriction making the
demand for Philippine goods such as abaca and sugar grew rapidly and even
exports extended within the opening of the Suez Canal in 1896. A lot of families
prospered due to this foreign trade of goods and was able to send their sons for
their education in Europe.
19th century Social Scene
The Church still controlled the curriculum. But only few were able to read and
speak Spanish. Only few can have a better education but in the 1880’s many of
the sons of wealthy families were able to attend school in Europe. Among the
talented students who went to Europe to study came the Propaganda
movement.
Spanish Colonial Educational Aims in the 19th century

 Promotion of Christianity
 Promotion of Spanish language
 Imposition of Spanish Culture

Spanish Colonial Educational System

 Curriculum was Religious –Oriented

 Spanish missionaries serve as teachers as well as tutors
 They focused on Christian doctrine, prayers and sacred songs
 3R’s were only given to brighter pupils
 Teach catechism to the natives
  Compulsory studying of Spanish language
 Education was a privilege not a right at that time
 Education was only for the elite

The Basic Education during the Spanish time

 The Spanish curriculum focused on the 3R’s reading, writing, and

religion
 School were convents of parish church
 Focused on rote learning such as individual memorization
 Three grade levels only, Entrada, Acenso, Termino.

The Spanish curriculum required the study of the following;

 Christian Doctrine
 Values
 History
 Mathematics
 Agriculture
 Etiquette
 Reading, writing in Spanish (steno)
 Singing
 World geography
 Spanish history

19th century Higher Education Schools

The earliest schools in the Philippines were built by the Spaniards along with
other universities and college all over Asia. Filipinos at that time were among
the most educated subjects in Asia.
The Ilustrados
With the increasing number of educated individuals at that time a new social
class arose that came to be known as the ilustrados. The most prominent
among the ilustrados was Jose Rizal who was inspired to achieve independence
among the Spanish colonizers.
Describing the new generation of educated Filipinos, Fr. John N. Schumacher
pointed out that,
“Philippine higher education was not far behind, or, under certain aspects, was
even superior to the general level of higher education in Spain, at least outside
Madrid. Perhaps the best testimony for this is the fact that such larger numbers
of Filipino students were able to move without apparent difficulty from
educational institutions at home to those in the Peninsula and establish
honorable records for themselves there”.
19th century Social Structure
The Philippines during the 19th century was a feudalistic society having the
encomienda system. Encomienda comes from the word encomendar which
means “to entrust”. The encomienda does not necessarily give the ownership
of the land but only the practice of the encomenders to have control over the
colony’s land and to fulfill their obligations.
The Spaniards collected taxes and tributes from the Filipinos and they even
required them to serve in the poloy servicio or forced labor imposed by the
Catholic Church and the government. At that time there was already a social
ranking in the society by the virtue of the encomienda system. This ranking
even created tensions among different groups. For example, high positions in
the government were only open to pure-blooded Spanish.
Social Structure in the 19th Century Philippines.
1. Highest class includes Spanish Officials, Peninsulares (Spanish born in
Spain), Insulares (Spanish born in the Philippines), Friars (members of
any religious order)
2. Middle class includes the Spanish Mestizos, Chinese Mestizos, Criollos
(mixed European and black descent) and Principalia (ruling class of the
native elites, gobernadorcillo, cabeza de barangay, landowners,
merchants and wealthy families)
3. Lowest class includes Indios or native (poor natives having pure Filipino
blood)

19th Century Governance and Political Structure

At the beginning the King of Spain ruled the Philippines through the Viceroy of
Mexico, which was then another Spanish colony, but when Mexico become
independent the Philippines was transferred directly to Spain and was
governed from Madrid.
The National Government

 Maintained peace and order

 Collected taxes
 Built schools and public works

The Government- General- the Kings representative and the highest- ranking
official in the Philippines. He is the head of the Spanish Colonial government.
The Residencia

 This was special judicial court that investigates the performance of the
Governor General.
The Visita
 The Council of Indies in Spain sends a Spanish official called the
Visitador-General to observe conditions in the country.
 The Visitador- General reported his findings directly to the King.
Real Audencia

 The highest court in the land during the Spanish times.

 Served as an advisory body to the Governor-General and checks and
reports his abuses.
 Audits the expenditure of the colonial government
 Sends yearly report to Spain

The Local Government

Local government unit was created for the ruling in the province. There were
two types of local government units.
1. Alcadia
2. Corrigimiento
Alcaldia – led by the Alcalde Mayor, represented the Spanish King and the
Governor- General.
 Exercised executive and judicial functions.
 Managed the day to day operations of the provincial government
 Implemented laws and supervised the collection of taxes.
Corregimiento
 Under the rule of a military officer called Corregidor.
 Governed the provinces that were not yet entirely under Spanish control
The Municipal Government
Towns or pueblos were divided into several barangays.
Pueblos (Towns)
This was headed by the gobernadorcillo. The main duty is to efficient
governance and tax collection.
Barrios (Barangay)
Headed by the cabeza de barangay. The main duty is to maintain peace and
order, collect taxes and tributes and recruit’s men for communal public works.
Cultural Changes in the 19th century Philippines

 The spread of education and the rise of the ilustrados

 Building of the Ateneo Municipal and Escuela Normal de Maestros
 Focused on Humanistic Education
 Filipino students were able to study in prestigious universities in Europe
 Dominance of the religious orders
 The government was heavily influenced by the Church
 Issues about secularization among the regular and the secular clergy