19th Century Philippines: Rizal's Context PDF

**Lesson 2: The Philippines in the 19^th^ Century as Rizal's context: Economic, Social & Political aspects** **Jose Rizal was born in a world far different from us. He belonged to the society which had a direct effect in his growth and solidified his perception of identity as a Filipino and his att...

**Lesson 2: The Philippines in the 19^th^ Century as Rizal's context: Economic, Social & Political aspects** **Jose Rizal was born in a world far different from us. He belonged to the society which had a direct effect in his growth and solidified his perception of identity as a Filipino and his attitude toward other races. In this module, we will try to understand why Rizal that we know him today as we look in his world, his Philippines in the 19^th^ century.** **Social Structure** The Filipino in the 19^th^ century had suffered from feudalistic and master slave relationship by the Spaniards. Their social structure is ranked into three groups; **Highest class-** the people that belong in this class include the Spaniards, peninsulas and the friars, They have the power and authority to rule over the Filipinos. They enjoyed their positions and do what they want. 1. The peninsulares (Spaniards who were born in Spain). They held the most important gemerment jobs, and made up the smallest number of the population 2. The mestizos are the Filipinos of mixed indigenous Filipino or European or Chinese ancestry 3. The Sangley Chinese were ancestors to Both modern Chinese Filipinos and modern Filipino mestizo descendants of the Sangley. 4. The Pilipino/Indio\'s are the poor people having pure blood Filipino which ruled by the Spaniards **Changes In The Philippines Because Of Spaniards** **Development of commerce and agriculture** - In 19^th^ century they gave rights to foreign to trade and live in manila. - Because of the opening of port in Saul-Pangasinan, Iloilo, Zamboanga and Cebu for outside trades, it become the reason to increase the livelihood in the Philippines, - Besides to agriculture, foreign trades developed as well. **Educational System** Batas ng Edukasyon 1863- The Educational Decree of 1863 was an effort by Spain to reform the Philippine colonial education system. The Decree established a complete system of education in the archipelago. It required two elementary school in each municipality. (one for girls and one for boys), standardized the curriculum, and stablished normal schools, thus making systematized education available to the masses. Ateneo de Manila Began in 1859 when Spanish Jesuits established the Escuela Municipal, de Manila, a public primary school established in Intramuros for the city of Manila. **Secularization of Priest** Two kinds of priest served the Catholic Church in the Philippines. These were the regulars and the secular. Regular priests belonged to religious orders. Their main task was to spread Christianity. - Examples were the Franciscans, Recollects, Dominicans, and Augustinians. Secular priest did not belong to any religious order. They were trained specifically to run the parishes and were under the supervision of the bishops. - Conflicted began when the bishops insisted on visiting the parishes that were being run regular priest. It was their duty, they argued, to checked on the administration of these parishes. But the regular priest refuses these visits, saying that they were not under the bishop's jurisdiction. They threatened to abandon their parishes if the bishops persisted. **Spanish Revolution of 1868 and the liberal Regime of Carlos Maria Dela Torre( 1869-1871.)** Glorious September Revolution of 1868; Queen Isabela II was overthrown resulting to the rise of liberalism in Spain. Generals Juan Prim and Francisco Serrano appointed Dela Torre as the governor-general in the in the Philippines (true democrat). Most liberal governor-general walked the streets in civilian clothes and dismissed his alabaderos (halberdiers)-the governors security guards-and went unescorted **Accomplishments:** 1. Abolished censorship of the press and allowed unlimited discussions of political problems and proclaimed freedom of speech 2. Abolished flogging as a punishment 3. Curtailed abuses particularly the tribute and the polo 4. Allowed secular priests to be assigned to vacant parishes or seminaries and created an office which would prevent abuses by members of the regular orders 5. Reformed the Royal Audiencia to bring about speedier administration of justice 6. Decreed educational reforms, ordered the setting up of medical, pharmacy, and vocational schools 7. Created the Council of the Philippines on December 4, 1870 which was a consultative body to study Philippine problems and propose solutions to them **Rafael de Izquierdo (1871-1873), The Cavity Mutiny and the Execution of GomBurZa (Feb. 17, 1872)** - Monarchy was restored in Spain (Prince Amadeo of Savoy, son of Victor Emmanuel I) ascended the throne in 1870 - April 4, 1871: Isquierdo became the governor-general; "with crucifix of one hand and a sword in the other" restored press censorship (b) prohibited all the talk on political matters and secularization of the parishes (c) disapproved the establishment of arts and trades in Manila (d) dismissed native and the mestizos in the civil and military service. - **Cavite Mutiny** (January 20, 1872) About 200 Filipino soldiers and workers in Fort Felipe mutinied, under the leadership of Sgt La Madrid; caused by Izquierdo's abolition on the exemption of the Filipino workers from polo and paying tributes; mutineers were able to kill the fort commander and some soldiers; mutiny leaders and participants were arrested and shot to death. **Instability of Colonial Administration** **The Philippines of Rizal's Time Evils of an unjust, bigoted and deteriorating colonial power Instability of Colonial Administration \* Brought about frequent periodic shifts in colonial policies and a periodic rigodon of colonial officials \* 1835 to 1897: 50 Governor-Generals each serving an average of only one year and three months** **Political chaos in Spain started during the reign of King Ferdinand VII (1803-1833) marked the beginning of political chaos in Spain. Frequent changes of Spanish gov't owing to bitter struggles between the forced of Despotism and Liberalism and the explosions of Carlist Wars.** - **Despotism- the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way.** - **Liberalism- consider individual liberty to be the most important political goal, and emphasize individual rights and equality of opportunity.** **Corrupt Colonial Officials** **Rizal wrote at length about corruption in the 19^th^ century, a malaise that ailed the country, and described it in terms of its perpetrators: friars, whose ubiquitous presence made them a fixture in daily life; Spanish secular officials at the top of the colony's hierarchy; and local officials, Filipinos among them. beyond rich descriptions of corruption, Rizal's works and his correspondence with family, friends and adversaries offer a rich panoply of meaning aboyt colonial life, the nature of power within the Spanish patrimonial order, and Rizal's understanding of the nation. The paper argues that his crusade against corruption was not simply a rejection of official waywardness but was central to the project of building the Filipino nation.** **Philippine representation in the Spanish Cortes** The Philippines was represented by two Spanish mestizos, a Brigadier Garcia Gamba and Senor Juan Francisco Licaros. Strangely enough, during that Cortes a law which had been secretly discussed took effect on 12 April, disallowing overseas delegates to take their seats, even if they were already in Spain. Ventura de los Reyes- the process through which the Philippines came to have parliamentary representation; the election of Ventura de los Reyes as the Filipino representative; his proposals for the future of the islands; the issues discussed in the Cortes in relation to the Philippines. A trade carried in Spanish ships, called Manila galleons, that regularly crossed the Pacific between Manila, in the Philippines, and Acalpulco, New Spain (now Mexico), carrying luxury good from East From: Manilan Galleon Trade inn the Oxford Encyclopedia of Maritime History **Human Rights denied to Filipinos** The Filipinos were denied of basic human rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association, and the like. The symbolic "Cry of Pugad Lawin" was a way to refute the oppression of the Spaniards because cedula was the manifestation of their tyranny in the country. La Solidaridad is also an example in refuting to this but however, it failed and was confiscated in mails because aside from it's failing foundation, the Spanish court did not agree with it's demands. **No equality before the Law** Spaniards considered themselves as the highest in the hierarchy and the Spanish penal code was stricter with Filipinos, this made their court hearing unfair, and it was impossible to win a case especially if you live under poor conditions. Spaniards-because of their social standing and skin color-were able to get away with crimes while Filipinos had their penalties.