SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS – Synthesis #2

Philippine Conditions Developments/Changes

1. The emergence of the export economy in the 1830s, which
opened opportunities for the Filipino middle and upper classes
for gainful profit.
2. The growth of commercial agriculture resulted in the
appearance of a new class, and alongside the landholdings of
the church and the rice estates of the pre-Spanish nobility,
Economic there arose haciendas of coffee, hemp, and sugar, often the
property of enterprising Chinese-Filipino mestizos.
3. The abolition of the Galleon Trade, which provided an
opportunity for the mestizos to expand their trading activities.
4. The construction of the Suez Canal in 1869, which propelled
trading activities and allowed the influx of liberal ideas from
Europe to the Philippines.
1. The creation of the Cadiz Constitution in 1812, which
embraced the principles of free thinking and equality of all
citizens.
2. The execution of the three Filipino martyr priests, namely
Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora, who
sparked inspiration for Jose Rizal to continue his struggle for
the Filipino people.
Political 3. The reduced travel time between Spain and the Philippines
due to the opening of the Suez Canal, which resulted in easier
and speedy passages and allowed Spanish bureaucrats to
stay longer to enrich themselves.
4. The failure of Spanish officials to provide needed
infrastructure, educational support, and public safety, and the
oppressive behavior of the guardia civil, who took advantage
of their authority to extort and bully the farmers.
1. The emergence of a new social class composed of the native
elite and their families, who were able to maintain their
prestige and recognition in the community.
2. The formation of the middle class, which was also composed
of mestizos who were usually elected as gobernadorcillos
(mayors) in their towns.
3. The financial and political capability of middle-class families
provided their children with the opportunity to study in
universities both in the Philippines and Europe, who were
called ilustrados.
4. The important roles of Chinese mestizos in the ascent of
Sociocultural
middle-class Filipinos, who were influential in promoting
reforms and led to the 1898 revolution that resulted in the
founding of the Filipino nation.
5. The cultural development that provided access to education
among middle-class Indios, which contributed to the
acceleration of national consciousness among the natives.
6. The return of the Jesuits, who established their evangelization
and opened a school in Mindanao, the Ateneo Municipal, and
promoted nationalism through humanistic education in
literature, science, and philosophy and instilled the principles
of human dignity, justice, and equality for all men.