UNIT II: ASSESSMENT 2

THE PHILIPPINES IN THE 19th CENTURY AS RIZAL’S CONTEXT

Discuss how the following problems and institutions contributed to the growth of
Filipino nationalism and weakening of the Spanish rule: Consider grammar (5pts)
and content (10pts)

Corruption in the Government:

In 1782, Governor General Jose Basco established government authority over the
Philippine tobacco business by ordering tobacco production in the provinces of
Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Isabela, Abra, Nueva Ecija, and
Marinduque. The only crop farmed in these regions was tobacco, which was exclusively
sold at a set price to the government, giving local farmers little to no profit. The system
penalized anyone who disobeyed one of the decrees with money or bodily harm.
People suffered as a result of the monopoly's disregard for and abandonment of staple
crops like rice, which led to food shortages. The Philippines was nearly bankrupt by the
1860s, so the government started compensating tobacco companies using promissory
notes. This led to accusations that the monopoly constituted a forced labor system. By
the 1870s, even senior government officials were pushing for the monopoly to be
dismantled. Their difficulties and injustices forced the Filipino people to seek freedom
from colonial domination.

Secularization of Parishes:
As part of the secularization drive, parish priests were urged to be native Filipinos.
Regular Spanish friars opposed it because of the harmful impact it had on their political
clout and influence in the Philippine islands. Some religious regulars rationalized their
refusal to give native priests more responsibility by claiming that natives are unqualified
for the priesthood due to racial preconceptions in the first place. They feared that the
secularization process would lead to the island colony's complete independence from
Spain.

Racial Discrimination:
Christianity, which promotes morality, unity, and preaches brotherhood and
equality for all men regardless of race or color, was brought to the Philippines by the
Spaniards. Regretfully, Filipinos were derided as "Indios" by powerful Spaniards who
considered them as inferior. Filipinos were frequently the target of discrimination in
social settings, government offices, churches, and schools. Spaniards believed that they
were only fit for menial jobs, had a low mindset, and were not capable of acquiring an
education. Jose Rizal, however, disproved these claims by winning literary contests,
outperforming Spanish writers, and making a name for himself in the fields of physical,
biological, and medical sciences. Many Filipinos have a strong nationalistic will to stake
their ground, and Rizal's character and attributes contributed to this evolution. The
aforementioned alterations present numerous prospects for Filipino Illustrados to
investigate the varied customs and progressive ideologies of foreign nations in order to
safeguard their homeland.

Limited Education:
The French Revolution occurred a century after political turmoil in Spain had
prompted changes to the country's parliament and constitutions, as well as after the
Peninsular War and the loss of Spanish lands in South America. Anti-clericalism gained
some hold in Spain because the Liberals viewed the church as an enemy of reforms
and curtailed its influence in politics and education. The Philippines tasted liberty for the
first time in 1868 when a revolt overthrew queen Isabela II. After the new administration
was established, reforms were carried out in the Spanish Colonies, and they eventually
had an effect on the nation. The modifications were implemented by the governor
general of the Philippines, Carlos Maria De la Torre. Jose Rizal and other locals believed
that his two-year rule was essential to their sense of national identity. Because of his
tolerance policy, De la Torre encouraged Filipino priests like Jose Burgos to support the
secularization of Philippine parishes. During his tenure as Governor General, he also
advocated freedom of expression and the press as well as the abolition of censorship.
One of his major achievements was finding a peaceful solution to the agrarian crisis in
Cavite.