Rizal and the Propaganda Movement

Rizal's Advocacy and the Propaganda Movement

• Rizal honed his writing skills to advocate for change in the Philippines through novels and essays.
• The Propaganda Movement primarily targeted Spanish intellectuals and elites, having limited reach among Filipino masses.
• Rizal joined the Circulo Hispano-Filipino, a social group in Madrid composed of progressive Spaniards and Filipinos.
• Internal disagreements existed within the movement regarding strategies for reform, including the pace of change and methods used.
• The movement focused on peaceful reform, which some argued was insufficient for achieving immediate change. Independence from Spain was the ultimate goal.
• La Solidaridad, a newspaper, was a key publication of the Propaganda Movement.
• The Propagandists aimed to cultivate a stronger national identity among Filipinos.
• Filipinization, replacing Spanish officials with Filipinos, was a significant reform goal.
• Rizal challenged historian Wenceslao Retana to a duel, with assassination a potential outcome.
• The Cortes, the Spanish parliament, was a political institution the Propagandists sought representation within.

Rizal's Higher Education and Life Abroad

• Rizal studied medicine, possibly motivated by his mother's failing eyesight and a desire for better healthcare in the Philippines. A medical degree also offered social mobility.
• He studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila and Universidad Central de Madrid, specializing in ophthalmology in Paris and Heidelberg.
• Rizal's medical skills were used to treat patients in Calamba.
• Rizal's travels in Europe constituted a grand tour.
• His life abroad contributed to Philippine nationalism through his writings and advocacy within the Propaganda Movement.

Rizal's Exile, Trial, and Death

• Rizal experienced disenchantment upon his return to the Philippines.
• La Liga Filipina aimed for a united Philippines, mutual protection for members, defense against injustice, and promotion of education, agriculture, and commerce. Members used symbolic unchangeable names.
• La Liga Filipina's brief existence didn't prevent it from having significant goals.
• Rizal was exiled to Dapitan for four years (1892-1896), then transferred to Fort Santiago in Manila.
• In Dapitan, Rizal practiced medicine, treating both wealthy and poor patients, using local plants for medicine.
• He established a school for boys, teaching various subjects.
• Rizal undertook agricultural projects, experimenting with new crops and farming methods.
• He helped build a water system and created a relief map of the area.
• His scientific research involved collecting specimens and studying Subanum languages.
• He invented the Sulpukan, a wooden cigarette lighter.
• Rizal's actions in Dapitan showcased his community builder role, compassion, and thirst for knowledge. His exile shaped his activities in Dapitan. Public health improvements, such as draining marshes, were a focus.

Rizal's Trial and Execution

• Rizal was tried by a military court, violating the presumption of innocence.
• He was accused of inciting an uprising.
• The Spanish government's accusations against Rizal led to his trial and subsequent execution on December 30, 1896. The verdict led to his death.
• Andres Bonifacio, a key figure in the Philippine independence movement, co-founded the Katipunan after La Liga Filipina was established. The Katipunan was a more militant movement.

Explore the life and contributions of Jose Rizal in advocating for change in the Philippines through his involvement in the Propaganda Movement. This quiz covers key themes such as peaceful reform, national identity, and the significance of publications like La Solidaridad. Test your knowledge on the internal disagreements and goals of the movement.