Jose Basco and the History of Tobacco Monopoly in the Philippines Quiz

12 Questions

What was a positive outcome of the tobacco monopoly in the Philippines?

Raised revenues for the government

When was the tobacco monopoly finally abolished in the Philippines?

1882

Which social groups were prompted to seek freedom due to a century of hardship and social injustice caused by the tobacco monopoly?

Filipinos in general

What was a requirement of King Philip II's Leyes de Indias for Spanish authorities in the Philippines?

Educate locals and teach them how to read and write in Spanish

What was the main reason behind Governor General Jose Basco placing the Philippine tobacco industry under government control?

To increase government revenue

Which provinces were ordered to engage in widespread tobacco cultivation under the tobacco monopoly system?

Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union

What consequence did the tobacco monopoly system have on local farmers in the Philippines?

It forced farmers to sell their tobacco produce only to the government at fixed prices

What penalties were sanctioned for those who violated the decrees under the tobacco monopoly system?

Fines and/or physical punishments

What motivated the development of the export crop industry in the Philippines?

North European and North American merchants' commercial undertakings

What role did the Chinese primarily assume in the post-galleon era in the Philippines?

Distributing imports in the interior and buying up goods for export

Which industry saw Chinese involvement through monopoly contracts in the Philippines during the 19th century?

Opium trade

How did Governor General Jose Basco influence the tobacco industry in the Philippines?

He established a tobacco monopoly controlled by the colonial government

Study Notes

Tobacco Monopoly in the Philippines

One positive outcome of the tobacco monopoly was the development of the export crop industry in the Philippines.

Abolition of the Tobacco Monopoly

The tobacco monopoly was finally abolished in the Philippines in the late 19th century.

The tobacco monopoly led to a century of hardship and social injustice, prompting the peasantry, workers, and middle-class Filipinos to seek freedom.

King Philip II's Leyes de Indias

King Philip II's Leyes de Indias required Spanish authorities in the Philippines to prioritize the monarch's interests and maximize revenue.

Government Control of Tobacco Industry

Governor General Jose Basco placed the Philippine tobacco industry under government control to increase revenue and meet the demands of the Spanish monarch.

Provinces Engaged in Tobacco Cultivation

The provinces of La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya were ordered to engage in widespread tobacco cultivation under the tobacco monopoly system.

Consequences for Local Farmers

The tobacco monopoly system had a devastating consequence on local farmers, forcing them to cultivate tobacco at the expense of their own food and crops.

Penalties for Violation

Those who violated the decrees under the tobacco monopoly system were sanctioned with fines, imprisonment, and even exile.

Development of Export Crop Industry

The development of the export crop industry in the Philippines was motivated by the desire to maximize revenue and meet the demands of the Spanish monarch.

Role of the Chinese

The Chinese primarily assumed the role of middlemen and traders in the post-galleon era in the Philippines.

Chinese Involvement in Industry

The Chinese were involved in the tobacco industry through monopoly contracts in the Philippines during the 19th century.

Influence of Governor General Jose Basco

Governor General Jose Basco influenced the tobacco industry in the Philippines by placing it under government control, which led to the widespread cultivation of tobacco in certain provinces.

Philippine Tobacco Monopoly History