Joshua L.

del Pozo

BSCE - III

RZL101

3:00 – 5:00

Mr. Rodel L. Baldado, MHIST, MAED

July 19, 2021

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

On the political and social condition of the 19th century Philippines.

The 19th Century Philippines is the “Era of Change” that led to Economic,
Social and Political changes. From the end of the Galleon Trade to the opening
of the Suez Canal, the rise of export crop economy and monopolies which
changed the style of economic context during those days. From the education
changes to the rise of Chinese Mestizos and Inquilinos for Social Background
changes. And the Political Context that started popularizing Liberalism, the
impact of the Bourbon Reforms ans the Cadiz Constitution.

Even before the arrival of Spanish in the Philippines, there are already
different nations who trades in such as China, Japan and Siam (old name of
Thailand). But on September 14, 1815, the Galleon Trade between the Philippines
and Mexico ended a few years before Mexico gained independence from Spain.
By this period, the Opening of Suez Canal takes place. This was the opportunity of
the native Filipinos to travel to European countries to study since the travel time
were shortened because of the canal. Despite the downturn of the economy of
the Philippines, business sectors began to be export-oriented to the raw materials
to the other countries. These things led to the cash crops to sell for profit in
exchange of European goods.
 As the Chinese grew their population in the country, Monopolies started to
rise as an entity that has a near-total control in the market. After that, a General
named Jose Basco, established the Tobacco Monopoly to maximize the
production of this export good, established the Tobacco monopoly. Since
tobacco was the only and the dominant crop planted in the country instead of
staple crops like rice, food shortages often happened.

The Social Background of the Philippines during the 19th Century was all
about the Catholic schools that continually aims to convert all Filipinos into
Catholic devotees to ignite their faith and be obedient to the colonizers. During
these times, the Law of Indies (by King Philip) mandated the Spanish authorities in
the country to educate locals learn reading and writing specifically in Spanish
language. But the Spanish Missionaries have prejudice against the natives since
they have a great sense of pride to themselves above the so called “Indios”. Later
in the 1860s there was a reform of education where Filipinos become more
knowledgeable. The Mestizos began to rise as an adversity of Chinese, Spaniard
and Filipinos were mixed to the society. By then, Spanish Philippines refer pure
Chinese as “Sangley”.

The Political landscape of the 19th Century where much “Liberated” in the
sense that it began to be the trend or the norm during those days. The French
Revolution started the idea of Liberalism which had gotten from the Ilustrados for
the Philippines’ move for revolution.

Surely, the 19th Century was a hell of a ride for the history of the Philippines
for it opened the eyes of many Filipinos to fight for their own freedom amidst the
incompetence of power against the much greater colonizers. But notably it was
the rise of knowledge for the Filipinos as heroes arise to fight for their own dignity
and honor. Ideas of change may come to the next generation and they will be
much prepared when the time comes because of the outcomes that took place
a century ago. It was merely a good social and political condition of the
Philippines during those times but a profitable one to the uprising of the
knowledge for the years to come.