RIZAL’S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES (1888)

Rizal first saw America on

April 28, 1888. His arrival in
this great country was marred
by
racial prejudice
Rizal first saw America on
April 28, 1888. His arrival in
this great country was marred
by
racial prejudice
 Rizal first saw America on April 28, 1888.
 His arrival in this great country was marred by racial prejudice (for he saw the discriminatory
treatment of the Chinese and the Negroes by the white Americans)
-He kept notes of what he observed during his trip from San Francisco to New York,
-From his notes and his letters to his friends, we get a wealth of first-hand impression of
America, some of which were rather unfavorable but true. Rizal was a man of truth, and he
wrote what he had seen and experienced

ARRIVAL IN SAN FRANCISCO

 The steamer Belgic, with Rizal on board, docked at San Francisco on Saturday morning, April 28,
1888
 American Health Authorities did not let the passengers to land for one week because of the
rumored cholera epidemic
 Rizal knew there was no cholera epidemic that time
 -He joined the other passangers in protesting the unjustifiable action of the health authorities
 He soon discovered that the placing of the ship under quarantine was motivated by politics.
 The ship was carrying 643 Chinese coolies.
-During that time there was a strong public sentiment against the use of cheap labor from China,
known as "coolie labor," on the Pacific coast. This sentiment stemmed from the fact that the Chinese
coolies were displacing white laborers in railroad construction camps.
-"coolie" was historically used to refer to unskilled laborers from Asia,

RIZAL IN SAN FRANCISCO

 May 4,1888 he was permitted to go ashore, Rizal registered at the Palace Hotel,
- which was then considered a first-class hotel in the city.
-Rizal mentioned in his diary the name of Leland Stanford, who was a millionaire senator
representing California in the U.S. Senate at that time. This senator was the
founder and benefactor of Stanford University at Paolo Alto, California. Also recorded in Rizal’s
diary was a street –Dupont Street –in Chinatown which is Grant Avenue today.
 Rizal stayed in San Francisco for two days –May 4 to 6, 1888

ACROSS THE AMERICAN CONTENT

 May 6, 1888 Rizal left San Francisco for Oakland

-In Oakland, he boarded the train for his trip across the continent. He took his supper at
Sacramento for 75 c and slept in his coach.
 May 7, 1888. Rizal had a good breakfast at Reno, Nevada, now glamourized by American high-
pressure propaganda as “The Biggest little City in the World.”
 From May 7-13, Rizal wrote in his diary the beautiful memories of Nevada Chicago until he
reached Albany.
May 8, he describes his journey through Utah, the third state passed over, and observations of the
landscape and surroundings. It mentions the potential for cultivation with irrigation, sightings of
fields, houses, and animals, as well as the beauty of the Salt Lake banks. Rizal notes the time change,
the appearance of flowers, and the presence of snow-covered mountains.
-He also mentions the size of mules, the observation of Mormon boys, and the sight of sheep, cows,
and horses in meadows. It concludes with a description of passing between two mountains through a
narrow channel.
May 9, describes a journey through Colorado, the fifth state crossed over, and observations of the
landscape and surroundings. It mentions passing through mountains and rocks along a river, with
noisy water giving life to the territory. The writer notes the presence of snow, many pine trees, and
tunnels made of wood to protect the road against snow. Additionally, it mentions the brightness of
icicles in the tunnels and the observation of many horses. The text also includes a negative comment
about the porter of the Pullman Car.
May 10, describes waking up in Nebraska and the observation of the plain landscape. It mentions
reaching Omaha, a big city, and the size of the Missouri River in comparison to the Pasig River. The
writer notes that the train passed over the Missouri bridge for 2 and a half minutes and that the train is
now in Illinois.
May 11, describes waking up near Chicago and the observation of cultivated land, indicating the
nearness to the city. It also mentions leaving Chicago at 8:14 on a Friday night and the writer's
observation of Indian figures in cigar stores in Chicago. Additionally, it includes an address: 2775
Washington Street, Boston, Miss C.G. Smith.
 May 12, describes traveling in a good Wagner Car on a fine day and the observation of beautiful, well-
populated country. It mentions the anticipation of arriving at the English territory (Canada) in the
afternoon and soon seeing Niagara Falls. The writer notes stopping to see the beautiful points, going to
the side below the Falls, and being between two rocks to witness the great cascade. Additionally, it
includes a comparison to the falls at Los Banos (Pagsanjan) and describes the various falls and parts of
the cascade. The text concludes with a mention of a mysterious sound and persistent echo.
May 13, describes waking up near Albany, a big city, and the observation of the Hudson River
carrying many boats. It mentions crossing over a bridge and the beautiful landscape along the banks of
the Hudson, comparing it favorably to the best in Europe. The writer notes the width of the Hudson,
the presence of beautiful ships, and the observation of sliced granite rocks between trees. The text
concludes with the mention that the grand transcontinental trip ended on Sunday, May 13, at 11:10
A.M.

RIZAL IN NEW YORK

 May 13, Rizal reached New York. He stayed 3 days in this city, which he called the big town
- describes Rizal's visit to New York, where he spent three days exploring the city and its scenic and
historic places. He was particularly impressed by the memorial to George Washington, whom he
regarded as a great man without equal in the United States. This visit marked the end of his journey
across the American continent.
 He was awed and inspired by the memorial to George Washington. Of this American, he wrote
to Ponce: “He is a great man who, I think, hasno equal in this country”
 May 16, Rizal left New York for Liverpool on board the City of Rome
 Rizal saw the Statue of Liberty on Bedloe Island

RIZAL IMPRESSION OF AMERICA

GOOD IMPRESSION
(1) the material progress of the country as shown in the greatcities, huge farms, flourishing
industries, and busy factories;
(2) the drive and energy of theAmerican people;
(3) the natural beauty of the land;
(4) the high standard of living; and
(5) the opportunities for better life offered to poor immigrants
highlights Rizal's mixed impressions of the United States. On the positive side, he was impressed by
the country's material progress, evident in its great cities, vast farms, thriving industries, and bustling
factories. He also admired the drive and energy of the American people, the natural beauty of the land,
the high standard of living, and the opportunities for a better life that were available to poor
immigrants. These positive aspects left a favorable impression on Rizal regarding the United States.
ONE BAD IMPRESSION
1. lack of racial equality.
-he wrote to Ponce: “They do not have true civil liberty. In some states the Negro cannot
marry a White woman, nor a White man a Negress.Hatred against the Chinese leads to
difficulty for other Asiatics who, like the Japanese, aremistaken for Chinese by the ignorant,
and therefore being disliked, too”

1890- Two years after Rizal’s visit to the US, Jose Alejandro who was then studying engineering in
Belgium, roomed with him on 38 Rue Philippe Champagne and never been in America asked Rizal his
impression to the country America, in which Rizal answered “America, “is the land par excellence of
freedom but only for the whites”
This statement reflects Rizal's awareness of racial inequality and discrimination prevalent in the United States
during his time. It underscores his understanding of the limitations and disparities in the application of freedom
and rights based on race, which was a significant concern in the context of the civil rights movements and
struggles for equality that were taking place in America during the late 19th century.