The Cavite Mutiny of 1872

Study Notes

The Cavite Mutiny of 1872 was a significant event in Philippine history, as it played a crucial role in sparking the Philippine Revolution of 1896.
The mutiny was an uprising by Filipino soldiers and laborers at the Cavite arsenal, against the Spanish colonial authorities.
The uprising was prompted by discontent over the abolition of certain privileges and the prohibition of the founding of a school of arts and trades.
The mutiny was unsuccessful. Spanish forces quickly crushed the uprising, leading to the execution of many participants.
The mutiny was also linked to the martyrdom of three Filipino priests: Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora (GOMBURZA).
The Spanish authorities accused GOMBURZA of being the masterminds of the mutiny, despite scant evidence, and used it as an opportunity to suppress the growing secularization movement among Filipino priests.
The execution of GOMBURZA served as a powerful symbol of the Spanish government's brutality and repression.
The event sparked outrage among the Filipino population and contributed to the growing calls for independence.

Two main accounts of the mutiny exist: a Filipino perspective and a Spanish perspective.
Filipino perspective:
- The Cavite Mutiny is characterized as a rebellion against Spanish authority.
- Dr. Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera, a Filipino scholar, argues that the incident was a mutiny motivated by the dissatisfaction of Filipino soldiers and laborers due to the oppressive policies of Governor General Rafael Izquierdo.
Spanish perspective:
- The Cavite Mutiny is viewed as a premeditated attempt to overthrow the Spanish government.
- Spanish accounts underscore the reasons for the uprising, including the abolition of privileges enjoyed by Cavite arsenal workers, and the presence of a native clergy who allegedly supported the rebellion.
- Jose Montero y Vidal's documentation highlights the attempt of "Indios" to overthrow Spain, and Governor General Izquierdo's official report uses the mutiny to implicate the native clergy in a conspiracy.
Both perspectives:
- The Spanish government used the Cavite Mutiny to justify their actions, portraying Filipino priests as conspirators and blaming the native clergy for the rebellion.
The Events of January 20th, 1872
- The Spanish account claims that around 200 soldiers, led by Sergeant Lamadrid, attacked Spanish officers and seized the arsenal.
- When the Spanish forces in Manila failed to arrive in time to quell the rebellion, the mutiny was easily crushed.

Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora were charged with treason and sedition for their suspected role in the Cavite Mutiny.
Although the link between GOMBURZA and the mutiny was tenuous, the Spanish clergy used the incident to weaken the secularization movement.
The priests were executed by garrote on February 17, 1872, in a public execution intended to deter future uprisings.
Witnessing this event left a profound impact on Jose Rizal, who would later become a prominent figure in the Philippine Revolution.

The "Cry of Rebellion" marks the start of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule in August 1896
The exact date and location of the Cry are debated among historians, but it occurred in the general area northeast of Manila

Teodoro Agoncillo believes the Cry occurred when Andres Bonifacio tore a cedula (tax receipt) before the Katipuneros
Emilio Aguinaldo commissioned the "Himno de Balintawak" after the Pact of the Biak-na-Bato failed, inspiring a renewed fight
Guillermo Magsangkay reports a meeting of Katipunan leaders on August 26 at the house of Apolonio Samson in Balintawak
Pio Valenzuela recounts a gathering of 500 Katipuneros in the house and yard of Apolonio Samson at Kangkong on August 22

There is disagreement among historical witnesses about the time and place of the Cry
Four locations are identified: Balintawak, Kangkong, Pugad Lawin, and Bahay Toro
Dates range from August 23 to 26, 1896
Valenzuela's accounts are to be read with caution, as he provided differing reports