Diego & Gabriela Silang Revolt Overview

Historical Revolts in the Philippines

• The Diego & Gabriela Silang Revolt occurred from 1762-1763 in Ilocos during the British invasion.
• The Palaris Revolt took place from 1762-1764, also in response to British colonial rule.
• The Novales Revolt in 1823 was a resistance movement in Manila against Spanish peninsulares.
• Palmero Conspiracy in 1828 was a failed plot against Spanish authorities.
• The Hermano Pule Religious Revolt (1840-1843) emerged in Tayabas, highlighting religious tensions.

Age of Enlightenment

• Enlightenment, a European intellectual movement spanning the 17th and 18th centuries, synthesized ideas about God, nature, reason, and humanity.
• Key values included the celebration of reason, knowledge, freedom, and happiness, driving reform and revolutionary developments across art, philosophy, and politics.
• The Enlightenment represents both a movement and a significant intellectual phase in European history.

Challenges to Filipino Revolts

• Disunity among Filipinos hampered collective action, exacerbated by a loyalty crisis stemming from ethnic divisions.
• Self-interest and inadequate preparation and training limited effective resistance against colonial powers.
• Lack of weapons, geographical isolation, and communication barriers further hindered the capacity to mount successful uprisings.

Industrial Revolution Context

• The Industrial Revolution, beginning in the late 1400s and lasting through the 1700s, significantly altered European culture and initiated globalization.
• A shift from agriculture to factory work led to food shortages as people left farms for urban job opportunities.
• Increased pollution and deteriorating working conditions marked the urban factory life, with long hours and low wages becoming standard.

Jose Rizal's Family Background

• Jose Rizal's lineage includes Domingo Lam-co, a Chinese immigrant from Amoy who married Filipina Ines de la Rosa.
• Rizal's father, Francisco Mercado, was an educated farmer and town mayor of Biñan, Laguna, later moving to Calamba and marrying Teodora Alonzo.
• Rizal's family played a crucial role in his formative years, particularly his mother’s brothers, who influenced his education and interests.

Impact of GOMBURZA Executions

• The execution of GOMBURZA (Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, Jacinto Zamora) on January 20 deeply affected Rizal, fostering his awareness of Spanish oppression.
• The labor mutiny highlighted issues of forced labor and unfair taxation, elements that contributed to widespread discontent against colonial rule.

Rizal's Education and Early Life

• Rizal began his secondary education in 1872, taking entrance exams at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran with guidance from his brother, Paciano.
• His early exposure to literature and mentorship from family members significantly shaped his skills in writing and drawing, laying the groundwork for his future as a national hero.