Survey of the 19th Century Philippines PDF

SURVEY OF THE19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES  BALANGAY TO PUEBLO: THE REORDERING OF NATIVE LIFE  The towns were created when the barangays were organized under the bell or bajo de la campana- communities of Christian converts.  The physical layout follows the grid pattern with a c...

SURVEY OF THE19TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES  BALANGAY TO PUEBLO: THE REORDERING OF NATIVE LIFE  The towns were created when the barangays were organized under the bell or bajo de la campana- communities of Christian converts.  The physical layout follows the grid pattern with a central plaza in front of church and municipal hall with rectangular streets.  Distant barrios/barangays had chapels called visitas.  Poblacion is the barangay in which the church is located. The Plaza Mayor in 1852 by German traveler Carl Johann Karuth. Source: http://nostalgiafilipinas.blogspot.com/2012/04/ciudad-murada-intramuros-de-manila.html) http://malacanang.gov.ph/4148-philippine-spanish-friendship-day/  METAMORPHOSIS OF INDIO AND THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE Society was predominantly feudalistic-it was the result of the Spanish land holding system imposed upon the country with the arrival of conquistadores. Pyramid structure of the society: Apex (Spanish officials, the peninsulares, the friars); Base (indios); Middle (Middle class consists of favored natives, mestizos and criollos)  STATE OF POLITICS Philippines was governed by Spain through Ministro de Ultramar established in Madrid in 1863. A centralized machinery exercising executive, legislative, judicial and religious power. Governador-general Provincial (alcaidias) led by alcalde mayors City government (cabildo or ayuntamiento), alcaldes en ordinario Town led by gobernadorcillo or capitan Barrio (cabeza de barangay)  STATE OF POLITICS  Corruption of the government, inability to provide basic needs, antiquated tax system and highly protective tariff.  Spanish had inferior qualities, no dedication to duties and moral strength to resist corruption.  Spain was not only the cause of prosperity but also of hindrance because of the instability of the Spanish government (liberal/conservative succession at irregular intervals) as one or the other proved to be incapable of coping with the problems of the government.  So Philippines was the dumping ground of hangers-on with jobs who were eager to fill their pockets with money and be gone especially when Suez Canal opened.  Guardia Civil was created to suppress the tulisanes but was also the source of harassment.  Taxes never found their way to roads and bridges and other public works needed for agricultural progress.  Brought realization to nationalists that reforms are not possible so it is better to separate.  STATE AND RELIGION ◦ Friars were used as instrument of colonial control ◦ Archbishop of Manila and other church officials shared extensive powers of the civil authorities. ◦ No term limit, became powerful and abusive in the areas they were stationed. ◦ Readily accepted far-flung positions. ◦ Acquired vast track of lands and enriched themselves. ◦ Religious and state representative.  ECONOMIC GROWTH AND RISE OF MEDIA CLASE  The flowering of nationalist movement was made possible by the economic growth which took place after about 1830.  The growth of an export economy brought increasing prosperity to the middle and upperclasses.  Brought to the Philippines machinery and consumer goods.  Export enconomy of agricultural products because of the rapidly growing population.  Thus those who controlled large rice, sugar, and abaca growing lands in central Luzon, Batangas, Negros and Panay profited most.  Hacienderos (Pampanga, Batangas), Friar estates (Bulacan etc.) and Inquilinos.  Inquilinos- rented from the friar hacienda passing from one generation to another and farming by means of share-tenants (kasama)- semi feudal relationship  The prosperity of the new export economy could be seen in the growth of wealth of Domingo Lam-co, the ancestor of Francisco Mercado.  Rizal family in Calamba ( 390 hectares)  But with the prosperity comes also disputes because of traditional methods and modernizing efficiency and ultimately over who should reap the larger part of the fruits of the land.  Eventually leading to the questioning of the friars’ right to lands.  Revolution therefore is not an agrarian revolt because it was not the kasama who challenged the friars but the wealthy inquilinos who wanted to weaken the friars’ influence in the Philippines for political and economic reasons.  EDUCATION AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ◦ Intellectual disintegration was keenly felt by the growing middle class towards the middle of the 19th century. ◦ Inadequate educational system. ◦ For almost three hundred years no systematic government supervision of school. ◦ Key factor in the emergence of nationalism was the cultural development brought by rapid spread of education in 1860’s. ◦ The spread of higher education among the middle and lower middle class helped propagate liberal ideas and progressive ideas. ◦ One of the major influence on the educational developments was the return of the Jesuits. (expelled in Spanish and colonies in 1768) in 1859.  RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT  The growth of education produced ilustrados who were increasingly antifriar and at times anticlerical or anti-Catholic.  Patronato real  Spanish government leaned heavily on the devotion of Filipinos to their Catholic devotion. Religion as a means of government.  Because of the friars devotion to Spain and influence on the natives, it was necessary to support the friars. (preserving factor)  The patriotism taught by the friars verges on fanaticism. Loving the Spaniards can save his soul in the next life.  So that’s why they were the main target of the nationalist.  Friars- means to control the indios.  To win a lawsuit against the friars, it is necessary to nullify their influence which will never happen.  Religion necessary to maintain status quo.  THE SHIFTING GROUND The campaign for reforms were led by the ilustrados, it was actively supported by the gobernadorcillos (town mayors) and other leading native and Chinese mestizo residents of the pueblos around Manila. The ground is shifting within the confines of the colonial order. Fiesta: opportunity for showcasing their capacity for “secular organization, fund raising, planning, and execution.” The members of principalia were barred from colonial political arena, they competed with each other for the honor and prestige of being the patron and manager of the fiesta activities.  SPANISH SITUATION AND REACTION  Criticisms and assertions of national identity from the natives triggered the political insecurity among the Spaniards eager to preserve the status quo.  Spain’s internal problems: o Loss of territories o War of independence after Napoleon’s invasion of Spain o Ineptitude of the Spanish king. o Concern for national regeneration. o Inability to compete with her rapidly industrializing European rivals. o Economic decline o Military weakness. o American and European control of Philippine economy.  SPANISH SITUATION AND REACTION  The Spanish liberals were afraid of the American failure to happen so they pushed the suppression of the orders in the Peninsula because they believed that those who were against the friars are potential enemies of Spain.  Even the liberal and anticlerical Governor-general Carlos Ma. De la Torre considered the religious orders as indispensable.