Rizal in the Context of

19 Century Philippines
th

Economic and Political Developments

 Economic
Development
 Economic Development
• Why was there economic growth in the 19th century?

• From Mercantilism (economic system used to unify and increase the power
and monetary wealth of a country by strict government regulation of trade and
foreign trading monopolies) to Free Trade /Laissez Faire.

• Mercantilist Economy was disadvantageous for colonists, while it was

advantageous to the motherland/crown.
 How Economic Development started in 19th
Century

Rise of Export EconomyRise of the Filipino Middle-

Upper Class
Opening of the Ports to the Education of their Children
World Trade
 Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade (1565-1815)
Spices, ivory, cotton, tobacco, porcelain, silk, gold, jade, fruits, textile (agricultural products)
Php. 500,000 Acapulco-Manila, 120 days
Php. 250, 000 Manila-Acapulco, 90 days
SUEZ CANAL (1869)

The Friars are members of any of certain
religious orders of men, especially the four
mendicant orders (Augustinians, Carmelites,
Dominicans, and Franciscans).
Mestizos are the Filipinos of mixed indigenous
Native- The pure Filipinos Filipino or European or Chinese ancestry.
Middle Class – the people that belongs into this class includes the natives,
mestizos and the criollos.
1. Discrimination during the early
times was very much utilized. This
is because the schools before was
exclusive only for the Spaniards.
2. Filipinos were only able to attend
school in the late 19th century. Some
schools also limited their lodging, to
the sons of wealthy Filipino
families.
Defects of the Educational
System During Spanish Time
• Emphasis on Religion
• Absence for Academic
Freedom
• Radial Discrimination
• Limited Curriculum
 Political
Development
 Political Situation in Spain during the 19th
Century
01
There was a struggle between Liberals and
Conservatives.

02
Spain lost most, if not all, of its colonies in South
America in 19th Centiry.
How did this affect the Philippines? Did it have a
positive or negative effect?
● Constant practice of replacing Governor Generals (41 in span of 45 years, from
1853 to 1898)
● Dumping ground for inept bureaucrats.
● Failure to make or achieve consistent policies.
● There was a political instability.
 Political Development
By and large, there was rampant graft and corruption typified
by:
• Failure to provide for the basic needs like public works,
schools, and peace and order.
• Taxes were never fully utilized.
• Limited participation of Filipinos in government.
 Conclusion
● The rise of the middle-upper class led to the education of
Rizal.
● Rivalry between Friars and Tenants became one of the
motivators of Rizal to call for reforms of the church.
● The rampant corruption of the government became one
of the reasons why Rizal called for reforms in
government.
● The lack of concern of the government officials simply
motivated Rizal to call for the education of his fellow
Filipinos.