III.

PRE-ASSESSMENT
Without looking/searching in any books, what are your ideas on the Philippine politics,
economy and society during the time of Rizal? Enumerate atleast five situations.
1. I think the Philippine Politics during that time, when they pick a leader (like president
or Mayor etc.), they based it on the money or power of a certain person. When you have
these two, you’ll most likely to win any elections or you can easily get the position you
wanted._______________________________________________________________
2._Also, for the politics, I think the king of Spain handles/manages all the position that is
here in the Philippines.____________________________ _
3._For the economy, I think everything is well during that time because we are
colonized, there are a lot of barter and exchanges which keeps the Philippine economy
doing good.
4._For the society, of course, Filipinos are treated like servants because there is no
freedom._______________________________________________________________
5._Also, for the society, some of the wealth of Filipinos are acquired by the
Spaniards._____________________________________________________________

V. EVALUATION
A. Create a poem with 4 stanzas that describes Rizal’s Philippines during 19th
century featuring its political, economic and social scenarios.
19th Century

As the 19th century began that time,

Politics and the economy changed in a span of time.
The Galleon Trade ended,
But the Suez Canal opened.

Commercial agriculture grew rapidly.

The Inquilinos rose and became wealthy
but the Filipinos suffered fatality and inequality
 because of the abuse and corrupt society.

Universal male suffrage was established,

Along with Land Reform, Freedom of Press and many more.
A liberal constitution called Cadiz Constitution
but was declared invalid by the King, in conclusion.

All the Filipino people,

who fought bloodless revolution and was belittled
Yearning for liberty from foreign control
Will soon experience freedom from all this loophole.

B. The following are the 19th century political, economic and social scenarios inthe
Philippines. Now, state the possible effects of the mentioned scenarios in the 20 th
century (after Spanish Period).
SCENARIOS POSSIBLE EFFECTS TO 20TH CENTURY PHILIPPINES
Opening of Suez Canal The opening of the Suez Canal decreased the travel time from the
Philippines to Spain from three months to 32-40 days. The importation of
goods such as books and newspapers from Europe and America has
influenced the Filipinos' ideologies and philosophy. It also paved the way
for strengthening relations between the Philippines and Spain.
Rise of the Inquilino When there was intense cultivation of land and an increase in exports of
agriculture, there was a rise in the Inquilinos and they accumulated wealth.
Because of that, they were able to send their children to colleges and
universities in Manila and even in Europe. 
Cadiz Constitution Cadiz Constitution was one of the first constitutions that allowed universal
male suffrage, with some exceptions, through a complex indirect electoral
system. It is one of the most important legal documents in Spanish national
history and a chief contribution of our country to liberalism and international
constitutionalism. Cádiz symbolizes the beginning of constitutional Spain,
Europe and Latin America. It extended political rights for representation to
Spanish America and the Philippines, a significant step for the demands of
American-born Spaniards.
C. Research for the following European philosophies and try to figure-out what
became its implications to the world scenarios in the 19th century.
Jean Jacques Rousseau’s philosophy
Jean-Jacques Rousseau work focused on the
relationship between human society and the
individual, and contributed to the ideas that
would lead eventually to the French Revolution.
His formulation of social contract theory or
Contractarianism (Political Philosophy), strongly
influenced the French Revolution and the
development of Liberal, Conservative and
Socialist theory. It is Rousseau’s attempt to
imagine the form of government that best
affirms the individual freedom of all its citizens,
with certain constraints inherent to a complex,
modern, civil society. He believed that good
government must have the freedom of all its
citizens as its most fundamental objective.
Rousseau created a work that provided
posterity with the vocabulary, with the terms
and assumptions that would be employed,
consciously or unconsciously, to address social
issues for the next two centuries and beyond. It
was seen as one of the defining texts of modern
political philosophy, emphasizing the need for
individuals to play a responsible part in civil
society if they want their liberty to be assured.
Francois Marie Arouet’s philosophy
François-Marie Arouet, known by his literary
pseudonym Voltaire, mainly argued for religious
tolerance and freedom of thought. He
campaigned to eradicate priestly and
aristocratic-monarchical authority, and
supported a constitutional monarchy that
protects people’s rights. Voltaire launched a
crusade against superstition and attacked
traditional beliefs. He wrote many essays,
poems and dramas creating awareness among
the masses. He advocated the supremacy of
reason. He stood for religious toleration. He
strongly condemned the corruptions in the
church. He stood for a benevolent despotism.
Voltaire's beliefs on freedom and reason are
what ultimately led to the French Revolution,
the United States Bill of Rights, and the
decrease in the power of the Catholic Church,
which have all affected modern western society.