EXERCISE 10.

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1. Why did Rizal had to go to Europe?

Rizal went to Europe because Europe was the center of the world in science
and scientific research and education. It is also the home of known greatest
philosophers of the world which will help Rizal gain new insights about society,
government, and culture. Rizal also wants to study the flow of government at that
time in Europe which would let him compare with the Philippines’ situation.

2. What did Rizal encounter in Europe which he compared with the Philippines?

The first thing Rizal noticed which he compared with the Philippines is the
condition of the vessels. He noticed that the vessels in Europe were larger and
cleaner, and the interiors were carpeted, and toilets were excellent.

3. How did Rizal start his propaganda work? And through what way did Rizal
spread his propaganda?

In order for Rizal to achieve his aims, he used essays, poetry, and novels
as a form of propaganda. Rizal started his propaganda by writing his first novel
Noli Me Tangere which shows some Filipino customs and habits, it also pictures
the abuses and corruption in Philippine society. His propaganda work continued
by writing his second novel, El Filibusterismo, and various essays which appeared
in La Solidaridad, the newspaper of the Filipino propagandists based in Spain.

4. What were the purpose of Rizal’s propaganda? How did Rizal portray the
Philippines in his propaganda work?

The purpose of Rizal’s propaganda were to achieve equality among indios,

mestizos, and Spaniards before the law, restoration of of the representation of the
Philippines in the Spanish Cortes and assimilation of the Philippines as the
province of Spain. He also aimed for the expulsion of the friars from positions of
economic and political influence and power. On the other hand, Rizal in his
propaganda portrayed a backward and dreary Philippines which was dominated
by the friars.

5. What was the quality of Rizal’s propaganda? How successful were his work
in achieving his purpose?

Rizal was very successful in his propaganda work because he only showed
the bad side of the Spanish Rule which brought many changes in the life of the
Filipinos at that time. Because of his propaganda, the Moros, who used to raid
Manila were no longer showing their presence at that time. There were also the
abolition of different monopolies like the Tobacco Monopoly and the Galleon Trade
which prevented Filipinos from trading with different countries. Also, Rizal, through
his propaganda, was able to dwell on the issue of forced labor and the forcing of
natives to fight in Spain’s foreign war. Because of this, Filipinos were no longer
have to fight in foreign wars and the last time they were involved was in the 1860’s
when they were sent by Spain to help France in colonizing the Indochina.