Social Structure in the Philippines

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary task of regular priests?

To manage parishes under the bishops

To spread Christianity (correct)

To enforce local laws

To administer justice in the community

Which action was NOT accomplished by Carlos Maria Dela Torre during his regime?

Reformation of the Royal Audiencia

Setting up of medical and vocational schools

Prohibition of freedom of speech (correct)

Abolition of flogging as a punishment

What conflict arose between regular and secular priests?

Secular priests opposed the creation of seminaries

Regular priests were undermining secular authority

Bishops insisted on visiting parishes run by regular priests (correct)

Regular priests refused to accept new educational reforms

What significant political change did the Glorious September Revolution of 1868 bring?

Overthrow of Queen Isabela II Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following individuals played a significant role in the supervision of the newly liberal regime?

Carlos Maria Dela Torre Signup and view all the answers

Who held the most important government jobs in the 19th century Philippines?

Peninsulares Signup and view all the answers

What was established by the Educational Decree of 1863?

Two elementary schools in each municipality Signup and view all the answers

Which group comprised the majority of the poor population in 19th century Philippines?

Pilipino/Indios Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the opening of ports have on the Philippines?

Increase of foreign trade and livelihood Signup and view all the answers

What did the structural hierarchy of Filipino society in the 19th century primarily reflect?

Feudalistic and master-slave relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups is NOT correctly associated with the 19th century Filipino social structure?

Indigenous tribes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a significant development during the 19th century in the Philippines?

Reform of the colonial education system Signup and view all the answers

Who were the ancestors of modern Chinese Filipinos in the 19th century social structure?

Sangley Chinese Signup and view all the answers

What was the effect of the law enacted on April 12 during the Spanish Cortes regarding Filipino representation?

Disallowed overseas delegates from taking their seats. Signup and view all the answers

What was a central aspect of Rizal's crusade against corruption?

Building the Filipino nation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following human rights were denied to Filipinos under Spanish rule?

Freedom of speech. Signup and view all the answers

What was the symbolic significance of the 'Cry of Pugad Lawin'?

It refuted the oppression of the Spaniards. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Spanish penal code differ for Spaniards and Filipinos?

Filipinos were subject to stricter judicial treatment. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason behind the failure of La Solidaridad?

It was confiscated in mails due to legal complications. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Filipino representatives in the Spanish Cortes?

Brigadier Garcia Gamba and Senator Juan Francisco Licaros. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Manila galleons in the colonial trade?

To carry luxury goods from East Asia to New Spain. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the Council of the Philippines created on December 4, 1870?

To study Philippine problems and propose solutions Signup and view all the answers

What action did Rafael de Izquierdo take upon becoming governor-general in 1871?

Restored press censorship and disapproved arts and trades in Manila Signup and view all the answers

What led to the Cavite Mutiny on January 20, 1872?

A protest against the abolition of Filipino workers' exemptions from polo Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the term 'Despotism' as mentioned in the content?

The exercise of absolute power in a cruel and oppressive manner Signup and view all the answers

What was a prominent characteristic of the colonial administration in the Philippines from 1835 to 1897?

Frequent shifts in colonial policies and governor-generals Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed significantly to the political chaos in Spain during the reign of King Ferdinand VII?

Bitter struggles between despotism and liberalism Signup and view all the answers

What did Rizal identify as a major issue affecting the Philippines in the 19th century?

The presence of corrupt colonial officials Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of the Cavite Mutiny for the mutineers in 1872?

Leaders and participants were arrested and executed Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Spanish colonial social structure was a rigid hierarchy with Spaniards, peninsulares, and friars at the top, enjoying power and authority over Filipinos.
Peninsulares were Spaniards born in Spain and held the most important government positions.
Mestizos were Filipinos of mixed indigenous Filipino and European or Chinese ancestry.
Sangley Chinese were ancestors to both modern Chinese Filipinos and Filipino mestizo descendants.
Filipinos, also referred to as Indios, were considered the lowest class, with limited rights and subjected to Spanish rule.

Changes in the Philippines Due to Spanish Rule

Foreign trade and agriculture saw development as the Spanish opened ports in Manila, Iloilo, Zamboanga, and Cebu to foreign trade, increasing economic activity.
The Educational Decree of 1863 aimed to reform the Philippine education system, establishing standardized curriculum and normal schools.
The Ateneo de Manila was founded in 1859 as a public primary school, providing the city of Manila with a systematized education.

Secularization of the Priesthood

The Catholic Church in the Philippines was served by both regular and secular priests.
Regular priests belonged to orders, such as Franciscans, Recollects, Dominicans, and Augustinians, focusing on spreading Christianity.
Secular priests were trained specifically to manage parishes and were under the supervision of bishops.
Conflict arose when bishops sought to visit parishes run by regular priests, claiming it was their duty to ensure proper administration.
Regular priests resisted these visits, asserting their independence and threatening to abandon their parishes if the bishops persisted.

Spanish Revolution of 1868 and the Liberal Regime of Carlos Maria Dela Torre

The Glorious September Revolution of 1868 in Spain led to the rise of liberalism and the overthrow of Queen Isabela II.
General Juan Prim and Francisco Serrano appointed Carlos Maria Dela Torre as governor-general of the Philippines, championing a more democratic approach.
Dela Torre implemented a series of liberal reforms, including:
- Abolishing censorship of the press, granting freedom of speech and discussion of political issues
- Abolishing flogging as punishment
- Curtailing abuses such as the tribute and the polo
- Allowing secular priests to be assigned to vacant parishes or seminaries
- Establishing an office to prevent abuses by members of religious orders
- Reforming the Royal Audiencia to speed up justice administration
- Declaring educational reforms and ordering the establishment of medical, pharmacy, and vocational schools.
- Creating the Council of the Philippines in 1870 as a consultative body to address Philippine problems and propose solutions.

Rafael de Izquierdo (1871-1873), the Cavite Mutiny, and the Execution of GomBurZa

Following the restoration of the monarchy in Spain, Rafael de Izquierdo became governor-general in 1871, reversing many of Dela Torre's liberal reforms.
He reinstated press censorship, prohibited political discussions, disapproved arts and trades in Manila, and dismissed native and mestizo Filipinos from civil and military service.
The Cavite Mutiny (January 20, 1872) saw Filipino soldiers and workers in Fort Felipe rebel against Spanish rule, ignited by Izquierdo's abolition of the exemption of Filipino workers from polo and tribute payments.
Izquierdo's harsh response led to the arrest and execution of several leaders and participants in the Cavite mutiny, including GomBurZa, three secular priests, on February 17, 1872.

Instability of Colonial Administration

From 1835 to 1897, the Philippines experienced a series of 50 governor-generals, with each serving an average of only one year and three months, leading to frequent shifts in colonial policies and instability.

Political Chaos in Spain

Political turmoil in Spain, marked by conflicts between despotism and liberalism and the Carlist Wars, contributed to the instability in the Philippines.

Despotism

Characterized by absolute power and oppressive rule.

Liberalism

Emphasized individual liberty, rights, and equality of opportunity.

Corrupt Colonial Officials

Rizal's writings extensively critiqued the corruption prevalent in 19th-century Philippines, blaming friars, Spanish secular officials, and local officials.
Rizal's works explored colonial life, power dynamics within the Spanish patrimonial order, and his vision of a Filipino nation.
His fight against corruption aimed not just to challenge official malfeasance but also to build a strong and independent Filipino nation.

Philippine Representation in the Spanish Cortes

The Philippines was represented by two Spanish mestizos, Brigadier Garcia Gamba and Senor Juan Francisco Licaros.
A law, secretly discussed, was enacted on April 12, disallowing overseas delegates to take their seats in the Cortes.
Ventura de los Reyes was elected as a Filipino representative, proposing changes for the Philippines.
The Cortes debated issues regarding the Philippines, including the Manila Galleon trade, which transported luxury goods between Manila and Acapulco, Mexico.

Human Rights Denied to Filipinos

Filipinos were denied basic human rights like freedom of speech, press, and association.
The "Cry of Pugad Lawin", a symbolic act of rebellion symbolized the oppression endured by Filipinos against Spanish rule.
La Solidaridad, a newspaper advocating for reforms, was confiscated by the Spanish court, reflecting the limitations of Filipino voices and the lack of support for change.

No equality before the Law

The Spanish legal system favored Spaniards over Filipinos.
The Spanish penal code was stricter for Filipinos, making it more difficult for them to win cases.
Spaniards were able to escape punishment for crimes due to social standing and racial prejudice, while Filipinos faced penalties for their actions.

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Description

Explore the intricate social hierarchy of the Philippines during Spanish colonial rule. This quiz delves into the roles and statuses of different groups, including Spaniards, mestizos, and Indios, and examines the socio-economic changes brought by colonization.