Nationalism in Pre-Islamic Era

Nationalism in 19th Century Manila

• The objective realities of a well-defined territory, racial commonality, political integration, religious integration, and commonality in languages existed in the Philippines before the 19th century, but nationalism did not take root until the first decade of the 9th century.

Hispanism

• The awareness of national community in the form of Hispanism emerged in the 9th century, precipitated by Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Portugal and Spain.
• The Spanish revolution that followed Napoleon's usurpation in 1807 called on the colonies, including the Filipinos, to unite and defend mother Spain.
• The decree of 1809 stressed that the old colonies were equal and integral parts of the Spanish monarchy and must send their representatives to the reinvigorated Cortes.
• The concept of nationalism embodied in the decree maintained that a federal empire was to be established in Spain where former colonies would be treated as provinces at par with Spain and entitled to representation in the Cortes.

The Constitution of Cadiz

• The Constitution of Cadiz of 1812 detailed the new national idea or Hispanism, stating that the new nation was composed of united Spanish peoples all over the world.
• The Constitution emphasized the sovereignty and powers of government, freedom, independence, and the sanctity of individual and property rights.

Elections and Institutionalization of Nationalism

• Elections for representatives to the Cortes were held in Manila and other provinces in 1810, with the oath of office sworn to defend the Catholic Church, the new Spanish nation, and the King's possessions.
• The Spanish Cortes issued a proclamation in 1810, stating that all provinces in "America and Asia" were integral parts of the monarchy and their peoples were "equal in rights and privileges to those of the Peninsula."

The Evolution of Philippine Nationalism

• The first stage of Philippine nationalism was based on the Christian experience, aiming to achieve Spanish nationhood or Hispanism.
• The next stage was the achievement and community consciousness associated with the concept of "Filipinism," taken from the term "Filipino" in the sense of a Spaniard born in the Philippines.
• The concept of "Filipino" evolved from a Creole to a Filipino as Indio, especially among the enlightened and upper-class Indios.
• The dominant ideas that cohered with the national idea in the evolving nationalism were assimilation, liberalism, democracy, and imperialism.