19th Century Philippines: Rizal's Context Quiz

Economic Context

• The Galleon Trade ended in 1815, marking the end of Manila as Asia's Trading Hub.
• The opening of the Suez Canal shortened travel time between Europe and East Asia, prompting Ilustrados to pursue education abroad.
• The Philippines' economy shifted towards export crops like sugar, Manila hemp, and coffee, which were produced and exported to foreign markets.
• The Chinese population expanded, and they served as agents for distribution and buying up of goods.
• The Spanish government established monopolies on products like opium, spirituous liquors, betel nut, tobacco, and explosives.

Social Background

• Education in the 19th century was introduced by European missionaries, with "Religion" as a compulsory subject.
• The "Laws of the Indies" mandated the teaching of locals to read, write, and learn.
• Parochial schools were established by Catholic orders like Augustinians, Franciscans, Jesuits, and Dominicans.
• Subjects taught included Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Vocational, and Practical Arts, with Latin as an official language.

Rise of Chinese Mestizo and Inquilinos

• The rise of Chinese Filipinos led to the emergence of a new class of rich and influential Filipino mestizos who owned haciendas.
• The Inquilino System allowed tenants to use land in exchange for rent, with friars and Spanish as absentee landlords.
• A lay Spanish mestizo or Filipino brother was designated as the "administrador" to collect rentals and remit income.

Political Landscape

• Liberalism emerged in the Philippines, influenced by the French Revolution and thinkers like Jean Jacques Rousseau, John Locke, and Thomas Paine.
• The Bourbon Reforms led to a complex reform process, reducing the Catholic Church's influence on colonization.
• The Cadiz Constitution of 1812 established universal male suffrage, national sovereignty, constitutional monarchy, freedom of the press, and advocated for land reform and free enterprise.