Republic of the Philippines

Mindanao State University

Marawi City

RIZAL IN THE CONTEXT OF 19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES

Presented to
PROF. Zizzle Dawn Sayson
HISTORY DEPARTMENT

In partial fulfillment of the

Course requirements in GEC109
Life and works of Rizal

By

Johannah H. Macapodi
Kathy Mae P. Acosta
Naim A. Baraiman
Amera M. Lao
Group 2

March 01, 2023

 Republic of the Philippines
Mindanao State University
Marawi City

RIZAL IN THE CONTEXT OF 19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES

Introduction:
- The 19th century in the Philippines is often referred to as the "Birth of Modernity"
due to its emphasis on breaking away from traditional ways of life and embracing new
ideas, attitudes, and institutions, marking a transition to a new era.
- This period is also known as part of the "Age of Revolution," coinciding with the
Industrial Revolution and witnessing significant shifts in production, transportation, and
communication methods.
- Political revolutions such as the American and French Revolutions, along with
the Enlightenment, shaped thinking and societal structures during this time, emphasizing
reason, rationality, and individualism.
- The 19th century brought about a new worldview, characterized by a focus on
progress and the ability to shape the world through scientific, technological, and social
advancements.
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
1. Trading:
- Trading was a significant aspect of Philippine culture even before Spanish
colonization, with early merchants engaging in trade with various countries in Asia.
- Spanish colonization saw the establishment of a trade monopoly, particularly
through the Manila-Acapulco or Galleon Trade route, where goods were exchanged
between the Philippines and Mexico.
- However, by the late 18th century, competition and geopolitical changes led to
the decline of the Galleon Trade system, prompting Spain to open the Philippine economy
to world commerce in 1834.

2. Impact of the Industrial Revolution:

- The Industrial Revolution prompted Spain to shift its focus towards global
commerce, utilizing the Philippines as a supplier of raw materials for Western industries.
- Cash crop agriculture became prominent, attracting investments from foreign
trading companies such as British, Dutch, and American firms.
- Foreign investors relied on local intermediaries, including Chinese immigrants
and wealthy natives, for land acquisition, labor mobilization, and trade facilitation.
- The opening of the Suez Canal further enhanced trade opportunities, leading to
increased production and economic dynamism in the Philippines.
 Republic of the Philippines
Mindanao State University
Marawi City

Social Conditions:
1. Education and Social Hierarchy:
- Education was a symbol of status during this period, primarily accessible to those
of Spanish descent.
- Spanish colonial society was stratified, with Peninsulares at the top, followed by
Creoles or Insulares, Mestizos, and Native Filipinos or Indios at the bottom.
➢ Peninsulares - The highest class is the Peninsulares - pure-blooded Spaniards
who were born in the Iberian Peninsula, such as Spain. They were the officials
and friars who had the power and authority to rule over the Filipinos.
➢ Creoles or Insulares - Insulares or Creoles were part of the second-highest racial
class in the Spanish hierarchy below the Peninsulares. Insulares were the
specific term given to creoles (full-blooded Spaniards born in the colonies) born
in the Philippines or the Marianas.
➢ Mestizos - Mestizos, or colloquially Tisoy, is a name used to refer to people of
mixed native Filipino and any foreign ancestry.
➢ Native Filipinos - At the bottom of the hierarchy were the Native Filipinos and
Indio.
➢ Indios - a term used to refer to the poor people of the country who were viewed
as inferior and treated as second-class citizens.

- Discrimination against Indios limited their social mobility and opportunities,

perpetuating social and economic inequality.
- Spanish colonial policies favored those of pure Spanish descent, contributing to
the marginalization of mixed-race individuals.
- Wealthy families like the Rizal’s could afford to send their children abroad for
education, exposing them to liberal ideas and inspiring movements for freedom and
independence, such as the Ilustrados.

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
• The Ilustrados, otherwise known as the “enlightened one”, were the educated class in the
Philippine society during the Spanish occupation.
• The main emphasis/focus is education.
• They were instrumental in paving the way for the creation of the Propaganda Movement.
• Most of the members of the propaganda movement were Ilustrados (e.g. Jose Rizal, Juan
Luna).
• The rapid spread of higher education among middle and lower class Filipinos accelerated
Filipino nationalism.
 Republic of the Philippines
Mindanao State University
Marawi City

Role of the Jesuits

• The Jesuits were responsible for the creation of the Escucla Normal de Maestros and
Ateneo de Municipal.
• They instilled among Filipino students a sense of nationalism through their humanistic
form of education.
• They inculcated in the minds of students the principles of “human dignity, justice, an
equality of all men.”
• The Jesuits were unlike the other friars, who were educators but did not do too much to
educate the Filipinos.

Experience of Filipino Students in Spain

• How did the experience of Filipino students in Spain accelerate Filipino Nationalism?
➢ After experiencing the liberties in Spain and noticing how it was different compared
to the Philippines.
➢ They saw the backwardness of Spain compared to other European nations and saw
how Spain cannot manage their own political problems.

Interest in the Filipino Past

• Filipinos instilled in their minds a sense of pride and national identity.
• They used Philippine history to prove that three centuries of Spanish rule did not lead to
any progress, only decline.
• Rizal averred that Filipino could have developed on their own before the coming of the
Spaniards.
• Pride of Being Filipinos

In conclusion
• Education awakened the minds of the Filipinos.
➢ The experience of Filipino student in Spain accelerated Filipino nationalism as they
were able to experience liberties in Spain which they did not experience in the
Philippines.
➢ The interest in the Filipinos past also led to the acceleration of Filipino nationalism.

RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT
Friars
• Frailocracy – “friar rule”, friars used religion to maintain Spanish influence in the colony.
• Governor-general may come and go but the friars remain permanently in the colony.
 Republic of the Philippines
Mindanao State University
Marawi City

• They were highly devoted to Spain and were highly influential among natives.
• They were used as political instrument to maintain Filipino loyalty to Spain.
Patronato Real - An arrangement between the pope and Spanish monarch which give the Spanish
monarch and its colonial authorities power over the church and clergy in the colonies.
Father Jose Burgos
• Responsible for secularization controversy.
• Fought for equality between regulars and seculars.
Regular(friar) - Spanish priest, their main goal is to spread the gospel.
Secular – Filipino priest, administrator of the parishes or churches.
• He along with Father Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora was accused of starting the
Cavite Mutiny.
• They were arrested, convicted and later on executed via garrote on February 17, 1872.
Garrote – is a weapon, usually handled ligature of chain, rope, scarf, wire or fishing
line, it is used to straggle a person.

• The execution of GOMBURZA led to the creation of propaganda movement.

MAIN CURRENT OF THE NATIONALISM MOVEMENT

➢ The nationalist movement of the nineteenth century in the Philippines was divided into five
currents: reformist, liberal, anticlerical, modernizing, and strictly nationalist. Most
nationalists were liberals, aiming for personal liberty and modernization. The Propaganda
Movement was a significant part of this movement.

➢ Filipino clergy and conservative politicians sought modernization, but religious orders
often suppressed it. The Philippine Republic emerged with cautious support from the
Revolutionary government, believing an American regime offered more peace, order, and
economic growth.

➢ The establishment of an American colonial government separated reformists, liberals,

anticlericals, and modernizers from truly nationalists. Rizal, the center of the nationalist
movement and the principal inspiration of the Revolution, favored reforms in Philippine
society, opposing friar influence as an obstacle to freedom and progress.