The Philippines in the

19 Century as Rizal’s
th

Context

LECEL H. LUNGAT
 Learning Objectives
At the end of this Chapter, the students should be
able to:
● Appraise the link between the individual and
society;
● Analyze the various social, political, and
economic changes that occurred in the
nineteenth century; and
● Demonstrate understanding of Jose Rizal in the
context of his time.
The World and the Philippines of Rizal’s Time

• In the 19th century, there were massive changes in the

world.
• In this century, Rizal was born and exposed to varying
political, economic and socio-cultural realities.
• Rizal witnessed the effects brought by the Industrial
Revolution, benefited from the opening of the Suez
Canal, gained education in Europe, became an
ilustrado, and took part in the Propaganda Movement.
 Political Context
● The 19th century was marked for its
tremendous social change. Europe prospered
like never before and England led the way as
the growing imperialist power.
● France conquered Vietnam, Cambodia, and
Laos. Other countries soon followed Britain’s
imperialist’s examples.
● However, while the nineteenth century was
hailed for its massive social changes, it was
not for all imperialists.
 Political Context
● While England, France and the Dutch
enjoyed the fruits of their colonial activities,
Spain stagnated.
● From being the “mistress of the world”,
Spain continues despotic colonial rule in its
remaining colonies – Cuba, Puerto Rico and
the Philippines.
 Political Context
● In the context of the Philippines, the country suffered from
different social issues as a result of the Spanish despotic colonial
rule.
● The Filipino people were exposed to the evils of colonials rule
such as:
o Maladministration of justice;
o No equality before the law;
o Racial prejudice;
o Forced labor;
o Frailocracy;
o Lack of representation in the Spanish Cortes.
 Political Context
The constant shift of these political policies also disrupted the way
Spain governed the Philippines.
● First, there was maladministration in the delivery of justice.

In usual disputes that involved a Spanish or a Filipino, the court

would often favour a Spaniard. Most Filipinos have to suffer from
the costly, unfair and partial trial. This condition could be attributed
to their skin color, political affluence and economic affluence in
society.
 Political Context
● Second, there was no equality before the law.

In the Philippine context in the 19th century, the native nobles and
pure-bred Spaniards enjoyed legal preferences both in law and social
duties.
In law, the Spanish Penal Code imposed heavier penalties on Filipinos.
In social responsibilities, the Filipinos were tasked to render forced
labor and paid tribute or taxes to the colonial Government.
However, most Spaniards were exempted either from rendering forced
labor or paying tribute.
 Political Context
● Third, racial prejudice against native Filipinos became
prevalent.

As evident by the words of Fr. Burgos, who is known for taking an

active part in the Secularization Movement, he provided unequivocal
evidence of how racial discrimination was prevalent even among the
native clergies.
According to Fr. Burgos, no matter how a native Filipino would exert
his efforts, he would never succeed. Not because he was unfit or
unable to carry out the role but because preference was given to
Spaniards.
 Political Context
● Fourth, the mandatory exercise of forced labor oppressed the
Filipinos further.

Also known as polo y servicio, all Filipino males with ages ranging
from 16-60 were required to render forced labor by the Spanish
Government.
The Workers were called polistas, while mandatory labor itself called
polo.
The well-off Filipinos and principalia shall be exempted by paying
the falla, amounting to seven pesos.
 Political Context
● Fifth, the existence of frailocracy or the “government rule of
the friars”.

The friars became so powerful that it resulted to the abuse of

Filipinos.
These friars contributed to the rise of agrarian unrest, the
secularization movement and Filipino abuses in many forms.
 Political Context
● Lastly, the Philippines suffered from a lack of representation in
the Spanish Cortes.

Ideally, the colonial government should open its parliament to

colonial representation. This is one way of hearing and improving
the conditions of its colonies.
It was on year 1811 that the Philippines was represented by a 71-
year old Filipino-Spanish merchant named Ventura de los Reyes.
However, his diligent representation was one reason why the galleon
trade was abolished for its reported abuses.
 Economic Context
The second half of the 19th century was a period of rapid economic
growth. In Europe, the use of increasingly expensive, powerful and
productive steam engines resulted in the use of machinery in the
manufacturing sector in the cities of Europe.
The benefits arising from these technological innovations paved the
way for efficient production. With more products in place, the
countries are looking for more places to trade.
 Economic Context
The invention of tools, ships, and other types of machinery brought
trade, governments, and people closer to each other.
To remove these external barriers, the Suez Canal was constructed.
The Suez Canal is a waterway that connects Europe to Asia by
creating a direct shipping route without having to circumnavigate the
African continent. This new infrastructure brought about by the
economic developments in Europe brought Spain closer to the
Philippines.
 Economic Context
The opening of Suez Canal also brought several advantages to the
Philippines.
First, the distance of travel between Europe and the Philippines was
significantly shortened.
Second, and it brought the county closer to Spain.
With travel being significantly shortened, the Filipino ilustrados
were able to send their children to universities in Europe.
 Economic Context
The education gained by these ilustrados opened their minds to the
opposing conditions that are happening in the colony (Philippines)
and the mother country (Spain).
Being enrolled in prestigious universities in Europe, these Filipino
ilustrados witnessed how the mother country enjoyed freedom, free
from biases, injustices and racial discrimination. On the other hand,
while Spain enjoyed freedom and rights, the colony suffered from
the maladministration of justice committed by its incompetent and
corrupt government officials.
 Economic Context

On this notion, the call for reforms has been constantly waged by the
ilustrados abroad like Rizal. They organized the Propaganda
Movement that aimed to expose the deplorable conditions of the
Filipinos in the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them.
 Socio-Cultural Context
The 19th century also brought socio-cultural changes in Spain and the
Philippines.
First, there came the rise of the enlightenment period, where people
began to rely on human reason rather than faith and religion.
In the Philippines, information through books and print media began to
spread across the seas. The opening of the Suez Canal made these
pieces of information readily available to the Filipinos by mail or hand-
carried by travellers.
 Socio-Cultural Context
Next, the 19th century Philippines saw the rise of middle-class, the
principalias. With the increasing demand for abaca and other cops in
Europe, there was a need for more Filipino to cultivate lands.
Manila became a free port in 1834 primarily to European traders. After
several months, provincial ports in the Philippines were also opened to
world trade.
 Socio-Cultural Context
To further the economic gain of Spain, the Spanish officials
recommended the exploitation and cultivation of the Philippine
resources to expand its trade relationship with Asia and Europe.
To enhance their trading capacities, Spain implemented the following
measures:
● Reformation of the Galleon Trade
● Settlement of the Spaniards in the provinces for agricultural and
trade purposes; and
● Government expropriation of the landed estates of the friar
corporations.
 Socio-Cultural Context
With these measures, the Spanish Government was now duty-bound to
allow Filipinos to rent and cultivate agricultural lands. To achieve this,
more families had to engage in farming.
Among those principalia families who benefited from leasing the land
owned by the Dominican estate was the family of Rizal.
The primary source of income of the family came from leasing and
cultivating this wealthy friar estate.
 Socio-Cultural Context
However, despite these social developments, agricultural unrest
continues to grow. Friars who owned the land exploited the tenants
through flimsily increasing land rentals and taxes. This resulted in
several agrarian unrest and dissatisfaction with the living conditions of
the Filipinos under the friar-owned estates.
Rizal fought heavily alongside the farmers. They contended that the
corrupt motives of the friars heavily oppressed the social conditions of
the Filipinos.
 Understanding Rizal in the Context of the 19th
Century Philippines
The Political, economic, and social conditions of the
19th century shaped the kind of Rizal that we know
today in history.

 To know why Rizal fought for reforms, one must

look into the political conditions of the 19th century
to understand the political struggles of the Filipinos.
 Understanding Rizal in the Context of the 19th
Century Philippines
 To know why Rizal fought against the Spaniards, one
must assess how the Spanish Government exploited
the Filipinos through their economic policies.

 To determine why Rizal attacked the friars in his

novels, one must understand the social realities of the
Filipinos during his time.
 Understanding Rizal in the Context of the 19 th
Century Philippines

● Rizal is a product of 19th century. We cannot seemingly imagine a

19th century Philippines without someone like Rizal on it. His life,
works and writings helped shaped our history.
● Next, Rizal responded to the needs of the time. Therefore, Rizal
came out at a time when he was most needed.
● Lastly, Rizal’s idea of a Filipino nation would not be possible
without the events of the 19th century.
 Understanding Rizal in the Context of the 19 th
Century Philippines

● Therefore, the success of Rizal and the Filipino people to achieve

independence was a response to fulfil their growing desire for
justice, equality, and freedom. The world and the Philippine context
of the 19th century molded the environment that Rizal lived. He
responded to what the people needed and used his capabilities to
achieve Filipino identity.
Thank You! 