RI Z A L I N T H E 1 9 T H

C E NT URY P H I L I P P I NE S
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
OBJECTIVES:

• Identify the administrative positions in the colonial government

• Examine the political situation in Spain during the 19th century
• Discover the impact of the political situation to the Philippines
1 9 T H C E N T U RY :
1800 - 1899

The Spanish Officials

▪ Since Spain was far from the country, the Spanish
king ruled the islands through Viceroy of Mexico.

KING OF SPAIN

VICEROY OF MEXICO

PHILIPPINES

▪ When Mexico regained its freedom in 1821, the

Spanish king ruled the Philippines through a
Governor General

KING OF SPAIN

GOVERNOR GENERAL

PHILIPPINES
▪ Governor General
▪ Exercised extensive power
▪ Appointed by a Spanish monarch
▪ Power to appoint and dismiss public officials

▪ Judicial Branch
To investigate the abuses, there were bodies created:
▪ The Residencia – investigates the
performance of a Governor General and
submit a report of findings to the king.
▪ The Visita – observe conditions in the
colony
▪ The Royal Audencia – the highest court in
the land; advisory body to the Governor
General;sent a yearly report to Spain.
▪ Alcadia (Provincial Government) - governed the
provinces that had been fully subjugated.

▪ Gobernadorcillos - efficient governance and

tax collection

▪ Cabeza de Barangay - responsible for peace and

order; recruits men for public works

▪ Corregimiento (Municipal Government) -

governed provinces that were no yet
entirely under Spanish control.

▪ Ayuntamiento - cities that became the center of

trade industry
S P A I N I N T H E 1 9 T H C E N T U RY
P OL I T I C A L I NS TA B I L I T Y

• King Ferdinand VII's death marked the political chaos in Spain (1808 – 1833)
o Carlist War – struggle between Isabella (Ferdinand's daughter) and Charles (Ferdinand's
brother)
o First Carlist War – 1833 – 1840
o Second Carlist War – 1846 – 1849
o Third Carlist War – 1872 - 1876
o Cristinos vs Carlists
o Cristinos – liberal supporters. Wanted democracy
o Carlists – supports the return to an absolute monarchy
 Spain lost most of its
colonies in South America
in the 19th century
S PA I N I N T H E
1 9 T H C E N T U RY
P OLITICA L Canovite System or
I NS TA B I L I T Y Rotativism (1890's)
• - liberals and conservatives took
turns in administering the
country
 Constant practice of replacing Governor Generals
• In a span of 45 years there were 41 Governor Generals, from
1853 – 1898

S PA I N ' S Failure to make or achieve consistent policies

POLITICAL
Dumping ground of the relatives of Spanish
I N S TA B I L I T Y politicians
N E G A T I V E LY
Administration was corrupt and inefficient
AFFECTED THE
PHILIPPINES
Failure to provide for the basic needs

Taxes were never utilized

S PA I N ' S P O L I T I C A L I N S TA B I L I T Y
N E G A T I V E LY A F F E C T E D T H E P H I L I P P I N E S

• Frailocracy - "a government by friars"

• Nagative: Abuses (Polos Y Servicios)
• Positive: Christianity
• "Guardia Civil" - most feared instruments of summary arrests of individuals identified by
the friars as filibusteros or enemies of the government and erehes or enemies of the
Catholic church
BEGINNING OF
N AT I O N A L I S M
CAVITE MUTINY of 1872
- lead to the Philippine
Revolution of 1896
REFERENCES:

• Zaida, Gregorio F., Zaide Sonia M.

JOSE RIZAL: Life, Works, and Writings of a Genuis Writer, Scientist, and National Hero
Cubao, Quezon City. 1109 Philippines
ALL NATIONS Publishing Co., Inc.
• Rizal in the 19th century Philippines(Economic and Political Developments) ProjJAB
• Genesis Felipe (2017). Rizal in the 19th century Philippines