CHAPTER 2: THE WORLD AND THE PHILIPPINES DURING RIZAL’S TIME

Introduction
To fully comprehend the role of Dr. Jose Rizal in shaping Filipino nationalism, there is a need to look
into the developments in the 19th century. This is essential in understanding his ideology and outlook as an
individual. As the saying goes ““man is partly the product of his time. His life and his message are affected by
his environment and the events that take place in the world he lives in.”

The 19th Century was the era of challenges and responses. It paved the way towards industrialization.
Industrialization changed the way people lived because it altered their way of doing things from manual to
technological advancement which ascends to the changes in different human activities—sciences (inventions
and explorations), philosophy (humanism), economy (capitalism), politics (democracy) and social identity
(nationalism).
As industrialization geared towards life improvement, it also posed a threat to other parts of the world as
powerful and developed nations were given the opportunity to expand their colonies and explore other territories.
Nations imposed their rules and directives to newly acquired colonies even if it is not acceptable among the
natives. Western imperialism have given rise to the growth in nationalism and clamor for independence.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the chapter, the students will be able to:
 Trace the development of nationalism and liberalism in the Philippines.
 Analyze the various social, political, economic, and cultural changes that occurred in the 19 th
century.
 Compare and contrast the situation of the Philippines in the 19 th century and today.

Growth and Development of Nationalism

Nationalism is a sense of loyalty that members if a nation share based on common language, history,
culture and desire for independence (Jackson, 2000). It is love of country expressed through advocacy of national
interest and independence.

Nationalism is mostly attributed to two major revolutions—the American Revolution of 1776 and the
French Revolution of 1789. Both gave birth to the idea that an individual’s loyalty has to be to his nation and not
to the king. The American Revolution gave birth to the United States of America while the French Revolution led
to the abolition of the feudal system and overthrowing of the absolute rule of monarchy.

Three Points of Nationalism (McKay et al, 1995 as cited by Garcia et al, 2015)
1. Nationalism has evolved from a real or imagined cultural unity, manifesting itself in a common
language, history, and territory.
2. Nationalists have usually sought to turn this cultural unity into political reality so that the territory
of each people coincides with its state boundaries.
3. Nationalists believed that every nation has the right to exist in freedom and develop its character
and spirit.

However, the ideas of national superiority and national mission have led to aggressive crusades and
counter-explorations as it stressed differences among people.

Liberalism and Democracy: A Subsequent Effect of Western Imperialism

The rise and spread of liberalism and democracy was actually the consequence of the growth and
development of nationalism (Black, 1999). Liberalism demanded representative government as opposed to
absolute monarchy and equality before the law as opposed to legal separate classes. This also meant specific
individual freedoms such as freedom of the press, of speech, of assembly and from arbitrary arrests.
 Democracy became a way of life in many European countries. After the flowering of imperialism,
democracy was gradually established through the following means: promulgation of laws that advanced
democracy, abolition of slavery, adoption of liberal constitution in colonized states, adoption of suffrage or the
right to vote, providing citizens the opportunity to propose laws and granting political, economic, and social rights
to the people.

Filipinos who have observed and experienced the democratic system in European countries have
clamored for the same privilege to be given to the Filipinos. In the 19th century, democracy was nonexistent in
the Philippines. Spanish authorities believed that if the Filipinos will enjoy basic rights and freedom, they will be
motivated to work for independence and topple down the Spanish regime.

As industrialization hit majority of the European nations, they expand colonies in Asia and Africa creating
vast empires for economic interests and political influence. They mostly relied on force to conquer and rule,
treating non-Westerns as racial inferiors.

Consequently, native elites or those of the middle class like Rizal armed with Western doctrines launched
anti-imperialist struggle for dignity, genuine independence, and modernization. The colonies assert their right to
self-determination or the right to choose the kind of government under which they would live.

The Situation of the World in the 19th Century

A. United States of America

-The American Revolution gave the idea to other colonized nations that they can gain their independence
from the colonizers when they rejected the British monarch and overthrew the rule of the British Empire.
- However, racial issue plagued the sovereign state as described in the Uncle Tom’s Cabin written by
Harriet Beecher Stowe wherein Negroes were subjected to slavery. To address the issue, then President
Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which resulted to the freeing of 50, 000 Negro
slaves and acquisition of their American citizenship.

B. England
- As one of the most powerful nations during the time, they targeted the African continent and established
British colonialism in India. Through the reign of Queen Victoria, England also colonized China, Burma
(now Myanmar), Australia and New Zealand
- Several reforms were enacted within the country such as—Reform Bill of 1867 wherein voting rights
were extended to the laborers, Education Act of 1870 where free education is catered to all British
students, and in 1871, unions were organized as part of the workers’ rights and privileges.

C. France
- Conquered the weak countries in Southeast Asia—Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia; and merged them
into one federal colony and named it as French Indochina.

D. Latin America
-Latin America was controlled by the colonial giants Spain and Portugal in the 19 th Century. However,
they waged war against the European colonizers due to underdevelopment, discrimination, slavery, and
unequal treatment in terms of administrative positions that eventually led to their independence.
- France also attempted to colonize Latin America but the region fought back led by the newly elected
native Zapotec president, Benito Suarez. The region acquired support from the United States of America
as they defeated the French invaders.

E. Asia
- Japan—isolated their country to the Europeans to avoid conversion of Japanese to Christianity and the
tendency to engage in unfair trading systems. Japan refused to trade with Europeans except for a limited
controlled trade with Holland. After 214 years of isolation, Japan was forced to trade with the Americans
under the command of Commodore Matthew C. Perry. The two countries signed the Treaty of Kanagawa
that provided an opening for Americans to be in contact and do trade with the Japanese people.
 - India—governed by the Mogul Empire wherein Sepoy soldiers staged a mutiny and murdered some
British Commanders of the army. With this particular event, the British Authorities hired loyal Indian
soldiers to disintegrate the Mogul Empire then re-established British Colonialism in India.

- China—known to be one of the oldest trade partners of the Philippines. During the time, China was
ruled by the Manchu Dynasty. After the Taiping Rebellion between 1852 up to 1864, China was
fragmented into pieces by the foreign powers particularly managed in whole or in partial by Italy, France
and Great Britain. The Opium War (1856-1860) before Rizal was born in 1861 became one of the
economic and political turmoil that time wherein Hong Kong was surrendered under several treaties and
agreements.
- Singapore—known for its ports wherein merchant and passenger ships loaded and unloaded goods
from place to place. Its history was founded by British Sir Stamford Raffles in the 1819 wherein they
attained independence and establish the state after the separation from Federation of Malaya in 1965.

Timeline on the growth and development of nationalism

1776 American revolution against Great Britain.
Independence and establishment of the United States of America.
1789 French revolution against Great Britain.
1792 France gained independence.
June 19, 1861 Rizal’s birthday.
1861-65 American civil war over the issue of Negro slavery.
Timeline of Western Imperialism (1837-1901)
Imperialism can be in the form of a colony where a foreign country controls a territory. England emerged
as the world’s leading imperialist power.
1887 Britain conquered Sri Lanka, Maldives,
1885 Britain conquered Burma.
1874 Britain acquired Malaysia
1871 Napoleon III of the 2nd French Empire conquered Mexico.
1871 Establishment of the German empire.
1867 Britain acquired Singapore.
1862 Napoleon III of the 2nd French Empire conquered Mexico.
1863 France acquired Cambodia
1859 Britain imposed her rule over the subcontinent of India.
1857 France conquered Vietnam.
1853 America re-opened Japan to the world, ending Japan’s 214 year of isolation. This
modernized the country by freely accepting Western Influences.
1842 British people acquired the island of Hong Kong.

The Situation of the Philippines in the 19th Century

 Political Situation

Instability of Colonial Administrations

In Spain, struggle between the forces of despotism (single entity rules with absolute power) and liberalism
caused political instability which affected Philippine affairs. The instability has brought frequent periodic shift in
colonial policies and officials.

Corrupt Officials

Government officials sent to the Philippines to manage the affairs of the colony have enriched themselves
and imposed stringent policies to extract more wealth from the people. Criticisms against their abusive practices
have resulted to death or persecution.
Gen. Rafael de Izquierdo executed Frs. Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, Jacinto Zamora (1872)
 Gen. Fernando Primo de Rivera
Gen. Valeriano Weyler
Gen. Camilo de Polavieja
enriched himself by accepting bribes from gambling casinos in Manila
arrived in Manila a poor man and returned to Spain a millionaire
received huge bribes and gifts of diamonds from wealthy Chinese who
evaded the anti-Chinese law.
executed Rizal

Numerous job-seekers and penniless Spaniards came to the Philippines. They became judges, provincial
executives, army officers, and government employees. They were either relatives or protégés of civil officials
and friars. They conducted themselves with arrogance because of their alien white skin and tall noses. They
became rich by illegal means or by marrying the heiresses of rich Filipino families.

No Philippines representation in the Spanish Cortes

1. To win the support of her overseas colonies during the Napoleonic Invasion, Spain granted locals from
their colonies representation in the Cortes. Thus, the establishment of the Spanish parliamentary
government.
2. The Philippines experienced the first period of representation in the Cortes from 1810-1813. However,
the second (1820-23) and third (1834-37) periods were less fruitful because the Philippine delegates
were not energetic and devoted in parliamentary work.
3. The representation of the overseas colonies (including the Philippines) was abolished in 1837. Since
then, the Philippine conditions worsened because there was no means by which the Filipino people could
expose the anomalies perpetrated by the colonial officials.
4. As a result, the propaganda movement was launched that led to the 1896 Philippine revolution.

Ruthless Guardia Civil (constabulary)

The guardia civil were supposed to maintain peace and order in the society but they did not observe their duty.
They have maltreated innocent people, looted their livelihoods, raped women and persecuted innocent men.
Rizal expressed his hatred for the guardia civil through Elias in Noli Me Tangere. He proposed to improve
the military organization by having it composed of good men who have good education and principles; men who
are conscious of the limitations of authority and power.
 Judicial Situation

No Equality before the Law

There was no equality before the law for the Filipinos and the colonizing Spaniards. The teachings of the
Spanish Missionaries was, “all men, irrespective of color and race, are equal before God” but the Spanish colonial
authorities did not implement this teaching of equality. Brown skinned Filipinos were seen as inferior beings that
can be subjects to exploitation. The Brown Filipinos and white Spaniards may be equal before God, but not
before the law and certainly not in practice.
Maladministration of Justice

Justice was costly, partial, and slow. Poor Filipinos had no access to the courts because they could not afford
the heavy expenses of litigation. Wealth, social, prestige, and color of skin were preponderant factors in winning
a case in court. The saying justice delayed is justice denied is indeed true in the story of Juan de la Cruz (1886-
1898) who was suspected for murder without preliminary investigation and proper trial. He was jailed in Cavite
for twelve years until the Americans came in 1898 and found him in jail still awaiting trial.
 Social Situation

Racial Discrimination

Spaniards called the brown-skinned and flat-nosed Filipinos “INDIOS” (Indians). They were also dubbed by
the Spaniards as “BANGUS” (Milkfish). A Spaniard, no matter how stupid he was, always enjoyed political and
social prestige and superiority. The Filipinos priest, Father J. Burgos complained about the Spanish
misconception that a man’s merit depended on the pigment of his skin. He also complained of the lack of
opportunities for educated young Filipinos to rise in the service of God and country.
 Religious Situation

Frailocracy
Augustinians, Dominicans, Franciscans controlled the religious and educational life of the Philippines: they
acquire tremendous political power, influence, and riches. A friar’s recommendation is heard by the governor
general and provincial officials. He could send a patriotic Filipino to jailor denounce him as a filibustero (traitor).
These friars were portrayed by Rizal in his novels as Padre Damaso and Padre Salvi.

 Economic Situation

Forced labor.
“POLO” or forced labor was imposed on the Filipinos in the construction of infrastructures and public works
as well as rendering of personal services to Spanish officials. Filipinos who cannot perform polo are required to
pay “Falla”. This is a sum of money paid to the government to be exempted from the polo. As a result of Polo,
the common laborers were disturbed from their work in farms, shops, and other source of living.
Land Grabbing
Lands were taken from the rural folks. The Spanish friars became the richest landlords for they owned
the best haciendas (agricultural lands) in the Philippines. The Filipinos became tenants. They resented the loss
of their lands which belonged to their ancestors since pre-Spanish times. The friars were recognized as legal
owners of said lands because they obtained royal titles of ownership from the Spanish Crown. Rizal, whose
family and relatives were tenants of a land, tried to initiate agrarian reform. This advocacy ignited the wrath of
the friars, who retaliated by raising rentals of the lands. Friar ownership of the productive lands contributed to
the economic stagnation of the Philippines.
The Social Structure of Filipino Society

At the top of the social pyramid were the peninsulares or the Spaniards born in Spain who came
to the Philippines. Below them were the insulares or Spaniards but were born in the Philippines. At the
middle were the Spanish and Chinese mestizos who were born of mix Spanish, Chinese or Filipinos
parents and the prinicipalia or the ruling class of native elites composed of gobernadorcillio, cabeza de
barangay, landowners, merchants and wealthy native Filipino families. At the bottom of the social
pyramid were the ordinary brown skinned indios who composed the majority.

Reading
The Cavite Mutiny of 1872 and GomBurZa Execution
by Harold Hisona

On the night of January 20, 1872, about 200 Filipino soldiers and workers in the Cavite arsenal rose
in mutiny under the leadership of a certain Lamadrid, a Filipino sergeant. The mutineers had a secret
understand with the Filipino soldiers in Manila for a concerted uprising, the signal being the firing of rockets
to the walls of Intramuros.
Unfortunately, the suburb of Sampaloc, in Manila, celebrated its fiesta that night with a brilliant
display of fireworks. Thinking that the fireworks had been set off by the Manila troops, the Cavite plotters
rose in arms. They killed their Spanish officers and took control of the arsenal.
Government troops under Felipe Ginoves rushed to Cavite the following morning. A bloody battle
ensued. Many of the mutineers, including La Madrid, were killed in the fighting. The survivors were subdued
and taken to Manila as prisoners.
 The Mutiny was magnified by the Spaniards into a "revolt" so as to implicate the Filipino priest-
patriots. It was in reality just a mutiny of the Cavite soldiers and workers who had resented the government
action in abolishing their old-time privileges, notable their exemption from the tribute and from forced labor.
But Spanish writers alleged that it was a seditious revolt directed against Spanish rule led by Fathers
Burgos, Gomez and Zamora and by other Filipino leaders. This allegation was false, but it was accepted
by the government authorities because it gave them a pretext to get rid of the Filipino leaders they did not
like.
Conviction and Execution of GomBurZa
Immediately after the Cavite mutiny was suppressed, many Filipino patriots were arrested and
thrown in prison. Among these were the three priests—Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora, the three
men who championed the cause of the Filipino priests who had not been receiving their due from the
Spanish authorities. Talented and patriotic, they carried on the nationalist movement of Father Pedro
Pelaez, who had perished in the Manila earthquake in 1863.
Their movement was popularly called the Filipinization or secularization of the clergy because it
advocated the equality of right between the native secular priests—priests who lived among the people—
and the Spanish friars, who lived in religious communities separated from the towns and cities. At that time
the Filipino priests were not allowed to hold high and profitable positions in the church because of their
brown skin and Asian ancestry.
After a farcical trial by a military court, Fathers Burgos, Gomez, and Zamora were sentenced to die
by the garrote, a strangulation machine. The court verdict was approved by the harsh General Izquierdo,
who then immediately asked Archbishop Gergorio Meliton Martinez of Manila to deprive them of their
priestly robes before their execution. The archbishop denied this request, for he believed the three
condemned priests were innocent.
On the morning of February 17, 1872, the three priests were garroted to death at the Bagumbayan.
This execution was a calamitous blunder of the Spanish authorities. The Filipinos deeply resented it, for
they regard the three priests as the public martyrs of their fatherland. In their indignation, the Filipinos forgot
their regional boundaries and differences and rallied as a united nation to fight the Spanish injustice. The
blood of the martyrs of 1872 was thus the fertile seed of Filipino nationalism.
Account of the Execution of GomBurZa
Late in the night of the 15th of February 1872, a Spanish court martial found three secular priests,
Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora, guilty of treason as the instigators of a mutiny in the
Cavite navy-yard a month before, and sentenced them to death. The judgment of the court martial was
read to the priests in Fort Santiago early in the morning and they were told it would be executed the
following day… Upon hearing the sentence, Burgos broke into sobs, Zamora lost his mind and never
recovered it, and only Gomez listened impassively, an old man accustomed to the thought of death.
When dawn broke on the 17th of February there were almost forty thousand of Filipinos (who came
from as far as Bulakan, Pampanga, Kabite and Laguna) surrounding the four platforms where the three
priests and the man whose testimony had convicted them, a former artilleryman called Saldua, would
die.
The three priests followed Saldua: Burgos ‘weeping like a child’, Zamora with vacant eyes, and
Gomez head held high, blessing the Filipinos who knelt at his feet, heads bared and praying. He was next
to die. When his confessor, a Recollect friar exhorted him loudly to accept his fate, he replied: “Father, I
know that not a leaf falls to the ground but by the will of God. Since He wills that I should die here, His holy
will be done.”
Zamora went up the scaffold without a word and delivered his body to the executioner; his mind had
already left it.
Burgos was the last, a refinement of cruelty that compelled him to watch the death of his companions.
He seated himself on the iron rest and then sprang up crying: “But what crime have I committed? Is it
possible that I should die like this? My God, is there no justice on earth?”
A dozen friars surrounded him and pressed him down again upon the seat of the garrote, pleading
with him to die a Christian death. He obeyed but, feeling his arms tied round the fatal post, protested once
again: “But I am innocent!”
“So was Jesus Christ,’ said one of the friars.” At this Burgos resigned himself. The executioner knelt
at his feet and asked his forgiveness. “I forgive you, my son. Do your duty.” And it was done.
Birth of Jose Rizal's Patriotism
At the time of the three priests' martyrdom, Jose Rizal was an eleven-year-old boy in Calamba,
Laguna. Paciano, his older brother, who was a student and friend of Father Burgos, told Jose the tragic
story of the three priests' martyrdom. The young Jose was deeply impressed and swore to carry on the
unfinished work of the three martyrs. His second novel, El Filibusterismo was dedicated to the memory of
these three priests. His dedication read as follows:
The Church, by refusing to degrade you (Archbishop refused to remove the priesthood robes), has placed
in doubt the crime that has been imputed to you; the Government, by surrounding your trials with mystery
and shadow, causes the belief that there was some error committed in fatal moments; and all the
Philippines, by worshiping your memory and calling you martyrs, in no sense recognizes your culpability.
Insofar, therefore, as your complicity in the Cavite mutiny is not clearly proved, as you may or may not
have been patriots, and as you may or may not have cherished sentiments for justice and for liberty, I have
the right to dedicate my work to you as victims of the evil which I undertake to combat. And while we await
expectantly upon Spain someday to restore your good name and cease to be answerable for your death,
let these pages serve as a tardy wreath and dried leaves over your unknown tombs, and let it be understood
that everyone who, without clear proofs, attacks your memory stains his hands in your blood!