The Life and Works of Rizal

The Rizal Law (Republic 1425), the Study of Rizal and Literature
Assignment 2
RIZAL IN THE 19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES

This section presents the different social, political, economic, and cultural contexts of 19th-
century Philippines in which Rizal was situated. To better understand the different aspects of
19th-Century Philippines, a brief discussion of the Spanish Colonization is also included in this
section.

Intended Learning Outcomes: At the end of this section, the students should be able to:

1. Identify the social context within which Rizal was situated;

2. Analyze various social, political, economic, and cultural changes that occurred in the 19th
century; and
3. Explain how these changes affected and influenced Jose Rizal.

Diagnostics

Social Context: Impact on the Individual

Instructions:

1. Enumerate the social, political, economic, and cultural changes that occurred in your
community during the last five years.
2. Choose one of the most significant changes and discuss how it affected you as a student,
teenager, and citizen of the Philippines.

The life of a person is shaped by the society that he or she is a part of. Thus, in studying and
understanding the life of Jose Rizal, it is necessary to look into the social context where he was
situated in – the 19th century Philippines.

Jose Rizal was born in the 19th century. During this time, Spain’s glory and rule as a colonial
power was already waning. The natives of the Philippines were slowly realizing the need to
awaken their national consciousness. This was sparked by movements against the oppression of
the Spanish colonizers.

It was Jose Rizal who first used the word Filipino to refer to the inhabitants of the country,
whether the are of Spanish or Filipino blood. Under the Spanish rule, the native inhabitants were
called indios while the inhabitants with Spanish blood (peninsulares, insulares, mestizo) were
regarded as Filipinos. He realized that the people residing in the Philippines should be called one
name – Filipino.

The events around the world also contributed to the formation of national consciousness led
by Rizal and other noted illustrados during the 19th century. Different events contributed to how
The Life and Works of Rizal
The Rizal Law (Republic 1425), the Study of Rizal and Literature
Assignment 2
Rizal’s own national consciousness was shaped. For one, the Industrial Revolution which refers
to the transition to new manufacturing processes that made use of steam-powered, special-
purpose machinery, factories, and mass production in Europe, had its effects on the Philippine
economy. In rural areas, it paved the way for new agricultural techniques. In the larger cities of
the country such as Manila, modern textile industry, benefitting only a limited number of already
rich Filipinos. The Industrial Revolution increased the movement of trade around the world
which made Filipinos of Spanish ancestry wealthier because they had connections to those who
handled goods from one country to another. With newer production methods, Filipino merchants
and small-scale industrialists became prominent in Philippine society, thus forming a new group
of influential middle-class Filipinos. Families from this class had the means to provide education
for their children. This is why many prominent figures in the Propaganda Movement, against the
colonizers came from the middle class – those who had the privilege to recognize and condemn
the ills of the Spanish colonial government through their education. Rizal was among them.

By the 19th century, two centuries after the Spaniards first came to the Philippines, the hold
of the Catholic Church in other Spanish colonies was already waning, yet this was not the case in
the Philippines. The Spanish friars, despite the controversies involving them, were crucial in the
maintaining the Philippine archipelago as a Spanish colony. The Filipinos turned more and more
to the friars for moral and political guidance as Spanish civil officials in the country became
more corrupt and immoral. The friars then became more influential and powerful because of the
frailocracy or the rule of the friars. The dominance of the friars prompted Rizal and the
propagandists to expose their abuses in forwarding their power and influence in the Philippines.
The growing power of the friars in the 19th century urged the reformists and nationalist to work
harder to let the people know who the real enemies were.

Other significant events in the 19th century that contributed to the formation and the rest of
the Propagandists’ consciousness were the opening of the Suez Canal, the democratic leadership
of Governor General Dela Torre, Governor General Izquierdos’ replacement of Dela Torre, and
the Cavite Mutiny.

The Suez Canal was the first infrastructure that paved the way for the importation of books,
magazines, and newspapers with liberal ideas from Europe and America. This was instrumental
to the political awakening of Rizal because he was able to expand his perspective therefore
shaping his nationalist sensibilities.

The leadership of Gov. Gen. Carlos Ma. Dela Torre (1869 – 1871), gave Rizal, the reformists,
and the Filipinos a foretaste of democratic rule. During the leadership of Dela Torre, media
censorship became relaxed and limited secularization of education began. He gave amnesty to
rebels including Casimiro Camerino, the leader of the bandits of Cavite, and established the
Guardia Civil.

Dela Torre’s terms and regulations were early published out of view when he was replaced
by Gov. Gen. Rafael Izquierdo (1871 – 1873) who was exactly the opposite of Dela Torre’s
liberal-minded rule. For Izquierdo, the indios should not be given the same rights and freedom
enjoyed by the Spaniards in the Philippines. He imposed harsh policies and laws, far from the
liberal measures that Dela Torre implemented. Izquierdo was also responsible for removing the
The Life and Works of Rizal
The Rizal Law (Republic 1425), the Study of Rizal and Literature
Assignment 2
long-standing personal benefits of the workers under the encomienda system and forced labor
exemptions among soldiers. This led to the Cavite Mutiny on January 20, 1872, that was staged
by about 200 military personnel of the San Felipe Arsenal in Cavite.

The Cavite Mutiny was a failed uprising against the Spaniards, resulting in disarmed,
imprisoned, and dead Filipino soldiers. Those who were suspected to be involved in the mutiny
were also arrested and executed. The Spanish authorities and the friars used the mutiny to
implicate the three secular priests – Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora,
collectively known as Gomburza – and proclaimed that they were the instigators of the said
mutiny. The priests were executed by garote at Bagumbayan on February 15, 1872. This event
had a personal impact on Rizal and his family since Burgos was a personal friend of his brother,
Paciano. The martyrdom of the three priests awakened the desire for independence among many
Filipinos. In fact, Rizal dedicated his El Filibusterismo to the three priests.

Rizal’s aim to make the Philippines known as a country of writers and intellectuals was a
result of his firsthand experience of racial discrimination when he was in Spain. Considered as an
inferior race, Filipinos were not given access to public goods and experienced rampant prejudice
in government offices, schools, and in society in general.

Several economic, social, political, and cultural changes in the country and around the world
contributed to the formation of Rizal’s national consciousness and his reformist agenda. The
liberal and progressive ideas of Rizal, together with the other reformists, stirred the national
consciousness of natives which eventually led to the Philippine Revolution of 1896. Rizal’s
contribution to the decline of the Spanish rule in the 19th century is recognized until today.

Reference:

Clemente, Janet Espina and Geoffrey Rhoel C. Cruz. 2019. The life and works of Rizal. Quezon
City: C & E Publishing, Inc. pp. 28 – 31
The Life and Works of Rizal
The Rizal Law (Republic 1425), the Study of Rizal and Literature
Assignment 2
Exercise 1.2.1 19th Century Woes

Instructions: Discuss how the following contributed to the growth of the Filipino nationalism and
decline of the Spanish rule. Choose two. Write your discussions in the space provided below.

1. Opening of the Suez Canal

2. Cavite Mutiny and the Gomburza martyrdom
3. Abuses and immoralities of the friars
4. Racial discrimination

Topic One:
Discussion:

the 1872 Cavite Mutiny was that it added more to the burning passion of the Filipinos to rebel
against the colonizers. Because of the incident, they have proven that Filipinos also can put up
a fight especially if we only had the numbers and the right artilleries for the uprising. Other
than that, the Filipinos sense of patriotism and nationalism was ignited and they have realized
the full extent of oppressions done by the Spanish colonizers. For me, it was destiny that it had
happened, however there were so many lives lost, including the alleged involvement of the
three Filipino priests who were sentenced to die by the garrote. If there is cooperation and
unity, the hunger for freedom and justice will surely be achieved.

Topic Two:
Discussion:

the two books Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo were the catalysts for the revolution
against the Spaniards. These two books stoked the nationalism of every Filipino, inspiring
them to oppose Spanish colonization and work for their country's independence. Through the
opening of the suez canal easy to publicise their writing
The Life and Works of Rizal
The Rizal Law (Republic 1425), the Study of Rizal and Literature
Assignment 2

Exercise 1.2.2 The Society and the Person

Instructions: In a 500-word essay, explain how society (and everything that happens within)
impacts the character and being of a person. Encode and submit your essay in the link provided
below. Be guided by the rubric below in writing your essay.

Rubric for Grading the Essay

1 – Poor; 2 – Below Average; 3 – Average; 4 – Above Average; 5 – Excellent
Criteria 5 4 3 2 1
Introduction: The introduction is inviting, states a
clear thesis statement, and previews the structure of
the paper. There is one clear, well-focused thesis
statement.
Supporting details: relevant, telling, quality details
give the reader important information that goes
beyond the obvious or predictable.
Organization: Ideas flow together smoothly and
form coherent arguments.
Grammar and Spelling: No errors in grammar and
spelling that distract the reader from the content.

Society is very important for promoting emotional adjustment and for improving the quality of
our lives. Our participation in the social world can improve our cognition, social, emotional and
personality development. It is through society that we acquire all the knowledge about the
world and most important we learn how to survive. We also learn how to show emotions such
as: sadness, happiness, anger, love etc… If it wasn’t for society we wouldn’t know who we are
and survival would be extremely harder.

Society has a huge impact on the character and being of a person. Everything that happens
within society, from the way people are treated to the way the economy functions, can impact
a person’s life in a big way. Even the smallest things, like the way people dress or the way
they speak, can be a reflection of the society they live in. For better or for worse, society
shapes the people who live within it. People who are born into a wealthy family are more
likely to have better opportunities and a higher standard of living than those who are born into
a poor family. People who grow up in a society that is violent or unstable are more likely to be
affected by that violence or instability. The way a person interacts with society can also impact
their character and being. People who are treated poorly by society are more likely to be
resentful and angry, while those who are treated well are more likely to be happy and content.
People who are able to find a place in society where they feel they belong are more likely to be
well-adjusted and successful than those who feel like they don’t fit in. In short, society has a
huge impact on the character and being of a person. Everything from the way people are
treated to the way the economy functions can shape a person’s life in a big way.
The Life and Works of Rizal
The Rizal Law (Republic 1425), the Study of Rizal and Literature
Assignment 2
Society plays a huge role in molding teens’ behavior, character and attitude. It determines how
they see other people, their general outlook, and their ethics. You as parents can influence all
these things as well, but the things that will stick with the kids for long haul are learned from
the society.

Exercise 1.2.3 The World in Rizal’s Time

Instructions: With a partner, identify at least five events that took place in the mid-19th century
outside the Philippines that might have influence young Jose Rizal in charting the course of his
ideals, missions, and aspirations for the Philippines. Describe these events through illustrations
(use pictures with descriptions) in the spaces provided below.

1. Opening of Suez canal

Suez Canal, according to Fisher (n.d.) is a “sea-level

waterway running north-south across the Isthmus of
Suez in Egypt to connect the Mediterranean and the
Red seas.” With Suez Canal’s opening, the travel from
Europe to Philippines and vice versa became easier
and shorter thus, brought the country closer to Spain.
Also, with the opening of this canal, Jose Rizal was
encouraged to pursue his education in Spain. His
decision eventually affected his course of ideals,
mission, and aspirations for the Philippines as studying abroad opened his mind to the real
situation of the Philippines that time (Aberdi, 2011).

2. Development of Liberalism

Liberalism, according to Merriam-Webster, is "the

quality or state of being liberal.” The development of
this worldview led to the publication of writings about
this and through the Suez Canal, these writings were
able to be read by the illustrados like Jose Rizal. In
turn, liberalism affected his beliefs on politics and
nationhood (Apostol, 2018)
The Life and Works of Rizal
The Rizal Law (Republic 1425), the Study of Rizal and Literature
Assignment 2

3. Galleon Trade

Galleon Trade, according to our

lesson, was “a ship trade going
back and forth between Manila
and Acapulco, Mexico.”
According to Philippine History
(n.d.), Galleon Trade “allowed
modern, liberal ideas to enter the
country, eventually inspiring the
movement for independence from
Spain.” And as what we have
already discussed, Jose Rizal is
one of those people who was
largely influenced by liberal ideas.

4. Spain’s Constitutional Conflicts

According to Aseniero (n.d.), the

most appropriate context through
which Rizal’s conceptualization of
the movement for national
emancipation was based is Spain’s
constitutional history. He said that
his ideals were based on Spanish
sources.
The Life and Works of Rizal
The Rizal Law (Republic 1425), the Study of Rizal and Literature
Assignment 2

5. The Bourbon Reforms

According to the lesson,Bourbon

Reforms gave Filipinos like Rizal the
idea that “colonization could be done
without much intervention from the
Catholic Church.”

Submit next meeting.