THE PHILIPPINES IN

19 TH
CENTURY AS
RIZAL’S CONTEXT
OBJECTIVES:
• 1. Appraise the link between the individual and the
society;
• 2. Analyze the various social, economic, political
and cultural changes that occurred in the 19th
century Philippines; and
• 3. Understand Jose Rizal in the context of his
time.
T H E R I S E O F L I B E R A L I S M I N S PA I N
AND THE PHILIPPINES
• In the early 1800s, Spain experienced political instability due to
conflicts between Liberals and Conservatives, enlightenment,
and territorial disputes. This affected the political and economic
life of Filipinos, leading to corruption and the establishment of
social stratification. Spaniards settled in the Philippines,
occupying the highest positions. Wealthy Filipino families
engaged in international trade, but increased land rent led to
decreased income for elites.
 T H E P O L I T I C A L S I T U AT I O N I N S P A I N
• In the span of Rizal's lifetime, there were continuous changes in the monarchy of
Spain:

• 1. The last reign of Queen Isabel II (1861-1868),

• 2. The rule of Marshall Serrano as Regent of Spain (1868-1871),
• 3. The reign of Amadeo I (1871-1873),

• 4. The period of the Spanish Republic (1873-1874),

• 5. The Bourbon Restoration and reign of Alfonso XII (1875-1885), and
• 6. The regency of Queen Maria Cristina (1885-1896) (Zafra, 1956).
T H E P O L I T I C A L S I T U AT I O N I N S P A I N
• In 1808-1812, Spain resisted Napoleon's invasion, causing economic woes, business
bankruptcies, and population decline. Struggling economically and influenced by
casualties, the educated elite, "Los Afrancesados," advocated for liberal government
reforms, resulting in a more liberal constitution.

• The 1812 Cadiz Constitution transformed Spain into a constitutional monarchy with a
parliamentary system, emphasizing law creation, power division, equality, free trade,
and divestment of church properties. However, confusion arose as many preferred
the old system, perceiving the new one as reminiscent of French absolutism.
T H E P O L I T I C A L S I T U AT I O N I N S P A I N
• In 1820, amidst liberal-absolutist conflicts and South American colonial uprisings,
Fernando VII's reign saw political instability and government bankruptcy. In 1833,
liberal Parliament members changed the law, allowing Queen Isabel, a liberal leader,
to assume leadership after Fernando VII's term.
• Under Queen Isabel's leadership, aggressive liberal policies in 1935 led to a law
allowing government confiscation of church properties and abolishing religious
orders in Spain, excluding colonies like the Philippines, where the church's role in
administration was recognized.
T H E P O L I T I C A L S I T U AT I O N I N S P A I N
• In 1844, moderate liberals and conservatives overthrew the
government, placing Isabell II on the throne. The conservative-
led parliament enacted new laws, resurrecting religious orders,
implementing a revised taxation method, and restoring
government stability. This period of social order led to
economic growth, but liberal ideas persisted, advocated in
Masonic lodges.
T H E P O L I T I C A L S I T U AT I O N I N T H E
PHILIPPINES
• The Spanish colonial government in the Philippines faced challenges
due to changes in government and independence, leading to political
and economic failures. The constant changes in governor-generals
hindered reform implementation. The end of Spanish domination led
to migration of Spaniards and corruption. From 1834 to 1862, Spain
had four constitutions, 28 parliaments, and 529 ministers. From 1835
to 1897, the Philippines was ruled by 50 governor-generals.
T H E P O L I T I C A L S I T U AT I O N I N T H E
PHILIPPINES
• The liberalization of Spanish government led to liberal policies
in colonies, including opening the Philippines to world trade in
1820, promoting agricultural development and material
prosperity for wealthy Filipino families.
• Anti-friar sentiments in Spain impacted friars in the Philippines,
as government recognized their influence. Liberal ideas
exacerbated secularization issues against regular priests.
T H E S O C I A L S T R AT I F I C AT I O N I N T H E
PHILIPPINES
• In the Philippines, new social stratification emerged, with
Peninsulares, Spaniards born in Spain, occupying the highest
class and government position. They lived in Intramuros,
enjoying privileges and community. Insulares, Spaniards born
in the Philippines, enjoyed luxuries and were part of the
Creoles class, a mixture of Spanish and native Peninsulares.
T H E S O C I A L S T R AT I F I C AT I O N I N T H E
PHILIPPINES
• The Creoles class was the group where Jose Rizal, the Gomburza and
other Filipinos who sought reform in the society during the Spanish
colonization belonged. Under the Creoles was the Illustrado or the well-
educated Filipinos because during those times there was no public
education so the wealthy Filipinos were the ones who could afford to have
an education and the Principal or the land owner and the lowest class was
the natives or indios as the Spaniards called them
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
• In the 19th century, wealthy Filipino families engaged
in international trade, particularly in agriculture, due
to the opening of the Suez Canal. However, friars
controlled agricultural lands, increasing rents, which
led to decreased income for elites. For example,
Francisco Mercado, father of Jose Rizal, refused to
increase farmers' rents, causing financial hardship.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• The impact of the friars' control over agricultural

lands and increased rents during the 19th century
had significant repercussions on wealthy Filipino
families involved in international trade. Francisco
Mercado's refusal to raise farmers' rents
exemplifies the financial challenges faced by
elites during that time.
T H E A D V E N T O F N AT I O N A L I S M I N T H E
PHILIPPINES

• Nationalism
• A broad movement for political, social, and economic
independence in the Philippines has resulted from the
formation and promotion of a political identity linked to
the country's contemporary nation-state, which is
known as nationalism in the Philippines.
T H E F A C T O R S T H AT L E D T H E R I S E O F
N AT I O N A L I S M I N T H E P H I L I P P I N E S
• Opening of the Philippines in the World Trade.
• The Philippines has a rich history of opening up to the world trade.
According to a royal decree from Madrid, Manila’s ports were opened to
foreign traders on September 6, 1834. This allowed the Philippines to
export and import products with the world.
• Coming of the Liberal Ideas
• The term LIBERALISM refers to a political and moral
philosophy that emphasizes individual freedom,
equality, and the protection of human rights
•
T H E F A C T O R S T H AT L E D T H E R I S E O F
N AT I O N A L I S M I N T H E P H I L I P P I N E S

• Coming of the Liberal Ideas

• The Administration of Carlos Maria De la Torre
• The issue of Secularization
• Cavite Mutiny
• The Execution of GomBurZa
T H E F A C T O R S T H AT L E D T H E R I S E O F
N AT I O N A L I S M I N T H E P H I L I P P I N E S
• The Implementation of Different Unjust Policies
• Polo Y Servicios -The Spanish term translates to “Forced labor” in the
English language.
• Encommienda - The land of the natives was confiscated and was given
to the spaniards for their territory.
• Hacienda Owned by the Friars
• The Bandla system is the system of tax payments
• Tributo - Tax obligation to the government in money or in kind.
T H E F A C T O R S T H AT L E D T H E R I S E O F
N AT I O N A L I S M I N T H E P H I L I P P I N E S
• Racial Discrimination
• Creoles -Refer to different ethnic groups around the
world.
• Indios -The use of the term in Spanish times usually
had a mixture of disdain for native Filipinos. -It is a sign
of being a socially destitute, lazy, and ignorant person.
T H E F A C T O R S T H AT L E D T H E R I S E O F
N AT I O N A L I S M I N T H E P H I L I P P I N E S

• The lack of Representives of the Filipino in the

Spansih Cortes
• Having a Filipino to have a representative in the
spanish cortes could be the way to have laws that
would protect the interest of the Filipinos and could
elevate their situation under the law.
QUIZ 2 (CHAPTER 2)
1. What is the term used as a sign of being a socially destitute, lazy, and ignorant
person?

2. What do call the tax obligation to the government in money or in kind?

3. When did Manila’s ports were opened to foreign traders?
4. Who is the aggressive queen that led to a law allowing government confiscation of
church properties?

5. The Spanish term translates to “Forced labor” in the English language.

QUIZ 2 (CHAPTER 2)

6. Who controlled agricultural lands, increasing rents, which led to decreased

income for elites?
7. Spaniards born in Spain, occupying the highest class and government
position.

8. Spaniards born in the Philippines, enjoyed luxuries and were part of the
Creoles class.

9.-10. Give at least two Factors that Led the Rise of Nationalism in the
Philippines.
THANK YOU