19th Century Global Context Quiz

19th Century Global Context

• Russia: In 1861, Czar Alexander II emancipated 22.5 million serfs in an attempt to appease the Russian people, this event occurred just four months before Rizal's birth.
• United States: The American Civil War raged from 1861 to 1865 over the issue of slavery. In 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves.
• Mexico: Benito Juarez, a Zapotec Indian, was elected President of Mexico in 1861, a year later France, under Emperor Napoleon III, invaded and conquered Mexico. The French installed Maximilian of Austria as puppet emperor in 1864. Support from the United States allowed Juarez to regain control in 1867, ultimately ending Napoleon III’s ambitions for colonization.
• Italy and Germany: Italy and Germany unified their countries during Rizal’s time. Italy, under the leadership of Count Cavour and Garibaldi, drove out Austrian and French forces to create the Kingdom of Italy, with Rome as its capital.

19th Century Philippines Context

• Spanish Political Instability: From 1834 to 1862, Spain saw significant political shifts: 4 constitutions, 28 parliaments, and 529 ministers.
• Corrupt Colonial Officials: Spain's colonial officials were known for their corruption.
  • General Rafael de Izquierdo (1871-73) was responsible for the execution of Fathers Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, known as the “Martyrs of 1872”.
  • Admiral Jose Malcampo (1874-77) was a poor administrator.
  • General Fernando Primo de Rivera (1880-83 and 1897-98) accepted bribes from gambling casinos.
  • General Valeriano Weyler (1888-91) was a cruel and corrupt governor general, known for persecuting the Calamba tenants, including Rizal's family.
• Philippine Representation in the Spanish Cortes: The Philippines briefly gained representation in the Spanish parliament (Cortes) from 1810 to 1813. Ventura de los Reyes, the Philippines’ first delegate, played a part in creating Spain's 1812 constitution and signed it. He also abolished the galleon trade. The Philippines lost representation in 1837, leading to worsening conditions.
• Human Rights Denied to Filipinos: The Filipinos were denied freedom of speech, press, association, and other basic human rights enjoyed by Spaniards.
• No Equality Before the Law: Despite Christianity, Spaniards saw brown-skinned Filipinos as inferior beings who were subjects to be exploited.
• Racial Discrimination: Filipinos, often called “Indios”, were treated as inferior to Spanish and mestizo people. White skin, a high nose, and Spanish lineage were considered superior.
• Frailocracy: The friars (Augustinians, Dominicans, and Franciscans) controlled religious and educational life in the Philippines, and gained significant political influence. They ruled through a facade of civil government, with colonial officials largely under their control.
• Forced Labor: Filipinos were forced to work on public works, such as building churches, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges for 40 days a year.
• Guardia Civil: The Guardia Civil, created in 1852, was intended to maintain peace and order, but was known for its abuse of power, such as maltreating citizens.

Explore significant global events of the 19th century, particularly focusing on Russia's emancipation of serfs, the American Civil War, the political upheavals in Mexico, and the unification of Italy and Germany. Test your knowledge on these pivotal moments that shaped the world during this era.