CHAPTER 1: Rizal in the Context of 19th Century Philippines

MEMBERS:
Baldelobar Armiel Pauline P
Balais, Lydel

Political Condition
Las Islas Filipinas was initially a pean state in Samar and Leyte, but later expanded to include
other parts of the Philippines. The Spanish conquest of the Philippines began with entradas,
organized expeditions to discover mineral wealth, expand territorial claims, and spread
Catholicism among native populations. The Spanish established a hierarchical, centralized
government, with 41 governors serving an average of one year and three months. The
administrative system was described as inefficient and corrupt, with nepotism and favoritism
among officials. Rizal's family faced oppression and injustices under the Spanish regime.
Significant events in Spanish political history, such as Queen Isabel II's overthrow and the
Bourbon Restoration, influenced Philippine affairs, leading to the appointment of Carlos Maria
de la Torre as governor and captain-general.

Economic Condition

In the 19th century, the Philippines became more of a global trading hub, with the galleon trade
being a significant trade route between Manila and Mexico. However, the trade negatively
impacted the country's economic development. The invention of the steam engine and the
opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 significantly impacted the Philippine economy, leading to
increased migration and the establishment of new facilities and services. The first banking
system in the Philippines was the Banco Español Filipino, which was the oldest bank in Asia.

The Encomienda System

was introduced in the Philippines to control land and agricultural production for natives and
colonizers. It involved land titles to Spanish-born individuals and user rights for agricultural
production. The Spanish crown declared public lands as crown land and awarded large portions
of land to officials, military, and clergy, creating self-sustaining administrative districts. The
system was introduced in 1568 and expanded to Cebu by 1571, with King Philip II instructing
Legazpi to assign encomiendas to his command.
Political Condition
Las Islas Filipinas was initially a pean state in Samar and Leyte, but later expanded to include
other parts of the Philippines. The Spanish conquest of the Philippines began with entradas,
organized expeditions to discover mineral wealth, expand territorial claims, and spread
Catholicism among native populations. The Spanish established a hierarchical, centralized
government, with 41 governors serving an average of one year and three months. The
administrative system was described as inefficient and corrupt, with nepotism and favoritism
among officials. Rizal's family faced oppression and injustices under the Spanish regime.
Significant events in Spanish political history, such as Queen Isabel II's overthrow and the
Bourbon Restoration, influenced Philippine affairs, leading to the appointment of Carlos Maria
de la Torre as governor and captain-general.

Economic Condition

In the 19th century, the Philippines became more of a global trading hub, with the galleon trade
being a significant trade route between Manila and Mexico. However, the trade negatively
impacted the country's economic development. The invention of the steam engine and the
opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 significantly impacted the Philippine economy, leading to
increased migration and the establishment of new facilities and services. The first banking
system in the Philippines was the Banco Español Filipino, which was the oldest bank in Asia.

The Encomienda System

was introduced in the Philippines to control land and agricultural production for natives and
colonizers. It involved land titles to Spanish-born individuals and user rights for agricultural
production. The Spanish crown declared public lands as crown land and awarded large portions
of land to officials, military, and clergy, creating self-sustaining administrative districts. The
system was introduced in 1568 and expanded to Cebu by 1571, with King Philip II instructing
Legazpi to assign encomiendas to his command.
The Influence of Religion
- Christianity was used by the Spaniards to pacify the Filipinos, it was integrated in the existing
beliefs of the natives.
-The missionaries who came to the Philippines were men who possed various skills and talents.
They are not only priests.
Facts according to the book:
*In the pre-colonial period missionaries occupied multiple positions. They are considered the
most powerful masters in Philippine Society.

- Friars held signifact infuence over the faithful natives. Their influence covered not only the
religious life of their community or jurisdiction, but also extended to other aspects of
community's daily life.

Fact according to the book:

*Friars were also the source of corruption and abuse among the natives.

-During the height of friar's supremacy they became insensible to good morals and the religious
idealism of the mission, deaf to suffering of the masses, and careless of the moral and spiritual
needs of the people that led for the illustrados or highly educated Filipinos to become critical
of the clergy. These grievances against Spanish Clergy ultimately helped awaken Filipino
nationalism.

The Influx of Chinese Presence

- During the 19th Century, Chinese were reffered to as "sangleys". Close to the word seng-li
which means trader.

-When the Spaniards attacked Manila in 1570, there were four Chinese Trading ships docked
along the Pasig River.
-These Chinese Traders had fled their homeland, converting to christianity and settlling as
astisans and craftsmen to remain citizens.
-Chinese traders became an imporant element of the Spanish colony.

Facts according to book:

*Corrupt Spanish officials sold residence permit to the Chinese in greater numbers than what is
allowed by law, then pocketed the proceeds from sale of the surplus and illegal documents.
*With thousands of Chinese residing in the Philippines, the Filipinos learned new arts,
trades,and technologies. Chinese were also involved with land and agriculture and they played
a distinct role in the trade between Manila and Acapulco as merchants in Manila and as
transient traders in the provinces.

The Rise of the Inquilino

 The religious orders played a dominant part in Philippine life, and the Spanish
government depended on these to control the rest of its colony.
 Spanish Clergy was composed of the four dominants religious orders:
Augustinians,Franciscans,Jesuits,and Dominicans
Facts according to book:

 Friars main responsibilty was missionary activities. However they also participated in
government affairs, they ran educational institution and they OWNED Large Tracts of
Land because religious orders owned large tracts of Land it gives birth to the SYTEM OF
LAND TENURE which involves the INQUILLINOS "Leaseholders of agricultural Land" and
KASAMA "Tenant cultivators". In addition we also have what we called Jornaleros
"Dayworkers".
-The religious orders rented their lands to the Inquilinos.
-The rent paid by the inquilino to the owner depended on the location and quality of land.

-The division of the harvest was subject first of all to the payment of rent to the owner then the
remaining amount will be divided between the inquilino and kasama. The rate was often fifty-
fifty.

Facts according to book:

 One particular characteristic of rice agriculture during the Spanish period was that it
took a very long time for the kasamas to receive their shares from the inquillino of the
landowner.
 During the lean months kasamas had to loan money in advance
 Kasamas tended to weighed down by a number of labor abligations to the small
landlord or inquilino.
 The tenant sharecroppers became a worker class that had no hope of rising to poverty.