19th Century Philippines: Rizal's Context

Overview

• This is about how Jose Rizal became possible in the 19th Century.
• Gregorio Zaide wrote about the Philippines of Rizal's time.
• It seeks to review Philippine history highlights relevant to Rizal's time.
• It aims to identify the importance of the 19th Century in Colonial Philippine society.
• It examines social, political, economic, and cultural changes in the 19th Century.
• And appraises the link between individual and society while examining Rizal's context.

19th Century Philippine Context

• The 19th Century Philippine Context involves factors across economic, political, religious and socio-cultural dimensions.

Economic Situation

• It involves the end of galleon trade and the opening of the Suez Canal.

End of the Galleon Trade

• It started in 1565, involving Nao de China.
• It went through Manila-Acapulco-Seville route.
• This Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade ended in 1815.
• Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821.
• It was abolished in 1813.

Opening of the Suez Canal

• Worldwide trading was opened in 1834.
• It was an Agent of Liberal Ideology.
• It eased travel from the Pacific to Europe.

Instability of Colonial Administration

• The reign of King Ferdinand VII (1808-1833) marked political chaos in Spain.
• There was a struggle between forces of despotism and liberalism.
• From 1834-1862, Spain adopted 4 constitutions, elected 28 parliaments, and had 529 ministers.
• There were party strifes, revolutions, and political upheavals.

Rise of Export Crop and Monopoly

• The export of Abaca (Manila Hemp) and Coffee to foreign trade, increased.
• European imported goods also rose in the Philippine market.
• There was monopoly contracting.
• Sugar, abaca, and tobacco were the main crops.
• This created opportunities for Chinese migrants.

Important Events

• The Mexican War of Independence began in 1810.
• Philippines was not a colony, but formally a part of Spain through the Proclamation of Cadiz Constitution in 1812.
• The Galleon Trade was abolished in 1813.
• Manila's port was officially opened to international trade in 1834.
• This was followed by Iloilo & Zamboanga (1855) and Cebu (1865).

Political Situation

• This involves Bourbon Reforms, Feudalism/Feudal System, Land Ownership, Liberalism, corrupt officials, and the denied rights of the "Indios".

Bourbon Reforms

• These involved changes in administration to increase the Spanish state's power and revenue.
• They were intended to stimulate manufacturing and modernize Spain.
• Centralization of Power was a feature.
• This was a factor in wars for independence by most Latin countries.

Feudalism/Feudal System

• This included feudal society, racism, discrimination, and patron-client relationships.

Land Ownership

• Land was owned through the Encomienda system and the Hacienda system.

Encomienda

• This was land rewarded by the King of Spain to his loyal servants.

Hacienda

• These were land gifts to religious congregations.
• Agricultural lands primarily belonged to different religious orders.
• Friars were the richest landlords.
• Friars obtained royal titles of ownership from the Spanish crown.
• In 1768, Governor Anda recommended selling friar estates.
• He realized the danger friar-owned lands posed to Filipino-Spanish relations.
• Rizal's family were tenants of the Dominican estates of Calamba.

Liberalism and Rise of Nationalism

• Liberalism enhances individual freedom in politics.
• Liberals believe the government is necessary to protect individuals from harm.
• They understand that government can threaten liberty.
• The Cavite Mutiny occurred in 1872.
• Key figures includes Governor-General Carlos Ma. Dela Torre, and Guias dela Dela Torre.

Corrupt Colonial Officials

• 16th-18th century colonial officials were far different from the 19th century officials.
• They were corrupt, incompetent, cruel, and venal.
• This wasn't the Spain of Siglo de Oro.
• Key figures include Gov. Gen. Rafael de Izquierdo, Gov. Gen. Fernando Primo de Rivera, Gen. Valeriano Weyler, and Gov. Gen. Camilo de Polavieja.

Philippine Representation in Spanish Cortes

• The first representation period was from 1810-1813.
• Ventura delos Reyes was the first delegate.
• He took part in framing the 1812 Constitution of Spain and fought for the abolition of galleon trade.
• The second period was from 1820-1823.
• The third period was from 1834-1837.

Human Rights Denied to Indios

• "Indios" were denied basic human rights.
• Ferdinand Blumentritt noted injustice in the penal code.
• The code imposed heavier penalties on Indios and mestizos.
• This implied that non-whites were inherently criminals.
• There was maladministration of justice.

Socio-Cultural Situations

• This includes social stratification with oppressive and inhumane colonial policies plus racial discrimination.

Social Stratification

• The social classes were, in descending order, Peninsulares, Insulares, Tornatras, Mestizo de Español, Mestizo de Sangley, Sangley, Indio, and Infidel/Infieles.

Peninsulares

• These were full-blooded Spaniards born in Spain.

Insulares

• These were full-blooded Spaniards born in the Spanish colonies.

Tornatras

• A person of mixed Spanish, Chinese, and Austronesian descent.

Mestizo de Español

• A person of mixed Spanish and Austronesian descent

Mestizo de Sangley

• A person of mixed Chinese and Austronesian ancestry.

Indio

• Natives of full-blooded Austronesian ancestry

Infidel / Infieles

• Those outside the colonial system or social order.

Oppressive and Inhumane Colonial Policies

• They included Polo y Servicio, Bandala, unjust manual labor, tribute/Cedula, and Guardia Civil.

Racial Discrimination

• Racial discrimination was rampant.

Religious Situations

• It involves Frailocracy that included Dominican Friars

Frailocracy

• Secularization was a key process.
• Society shifted away from religious identification.
• They advocated for Filipino secular clergy's right to parishes.
• This was against assigning parishes to newly arrived Spanish friars.
• Key figures here is Padre Pedro Pelaez.
• It was divided into secular vs. regulars.