19th-Century-Philippines_Rizal_life.pptx

Rizal’s context in the 19th century of the Philippines

1. LECEL H. LUNGAT The Philippines in the 19 th Century as Rizal’s Context

2. Learning Objectives At the end of this Chapter, the students should be able to: Appraise the link between the individual and society; Analyze the various social, political, and economic changes that occurred in the nineteenth century; and Demonstrate understanding of Jose Rizal in the context of his time.

3. The World and the Philippines of Rizal’s Time In the 19 th century, there were massive changes in the world. In this century, Rizal was born and exposed to varying political, economic and socio-cultural realities. Rizal witnessed the effects brought by the Industrial Revolution, benefited from the opening of the Suez Canal, gained education in Europe, became an ilustrado , and took part in the Propaganda Movement.

4. Political Context The 19 th century was marked for its tremendous social change. Europe prospered like never before and England led the way as the growing imperialist power. France conquered Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Other countries soon followed Britain’s imperialist’s examples. However, while the nineteenth century was hailed for its massive social changes, it was not for all imperialists.

5. Political Context While England, France and the Dutch enjoyed the fruits of their colonial activities, Spain stagnated. From being the “mistress of the world”, Spain continues despotic colonial rule in its remaining colonies – Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

6. Political Context I n the context of the Philippines, the country suffered from different social issues as a result of the Spanish despotic colonial rule. The Filipino people were exposed to the evils of colonials rule such as: Maladministration of justice; No equality before the law; Racial prejudice; Forced labor ; Frailocracy ; Lack of representation in the Spanish Cortes.

7. Political Context The constant shift of these political policies also disrupted the way Spain governed the Philippines. First, there was maladministration in the delivery of justice. In usual disputes that involved a Spanish or a Filipino, the court would often favour a Spaniard. Most Filipinos have to suffer from the costly, unfair and partial trial. This condition could be attributed to their skin color , political affluence and economic affluence in society.

8. Political Context Second, there was no equality before the law . In the Philippine context in the 19 th century, the native nobles and pure-bred Spaniards enjoyed legal preferences both in law and social duties. In law, the Spanish Penal Code imposed heavier penalties on Filipinos. In social responsibilities, the Filipinos were tasked to render forced labor and paid tribute or taxes to the colonial Government. However, most Spaniards were exempted either from rendering forced labor or paying tribute.

9. Political Context Third, racial prejudice against native Filipinos became prevalent. As evident by the words of Fr. Burgos, who is known for taking an active part in the Secularization Movement, he provided unequivocal evidence of how racial discrimination was prevalent even among the native clergies. According to Fr. Burgos, no matter how a native Filipino would exert his efforts, he would never succeed. Not because he was unfit or unable to carry out the role but because preference was given to Spaniards.

10. Political Context Fourth, the mandatory exercise of forced labor oppressed the Filipinos further . Also known as polo y servicio , all Filipino males with ages ranging from 16-60 were required to render forced labor by the Spanish Government. The Workers were called polistas , while mandatory labor itself called polo . The well-off Filipinos and principalia shall be exempted by paying the falla , amounting to seven pesos.

11. Political Context Fifth, the existence of frailocracy or the “government rule of the friars ”. The friars became so powerful that it resulted to the abuse of Filipinos . These friars contributed to the rise of agrarian unrest, the secularization movement and Filipino abuses in many forms.

12. Political Context Lastly, the Philippines suffered from a lack of representation in the Spanish Cortes. Ideally, the colonial government should open its parliament to colonial representation. This is one way of hearing and improving the conditions of its colonies. It was on year 1811 that the Philippines was represented by a 71-year old Filipino-Spanish merchant named Ventura de los Reyes. However, his diligent representation was one reason why the galleon trade was abolished for its reported abuses.

13. Economic Context The second half of the 19 th century was a period of rapid economic growth. In Europe, the use of increasingly expensive, powerful and productive steam engines resulted in the use of machinery in the manufacturing sector in the cities of Europe. The benefits arising from these technological innovations paved the way for efficient production. With more products in place, the countries are looking for more places to trade.

14. Economic Context The invention of tools, ships, and other types of machinery brought trade, governments, and people closer to each other. To remove these external barriers, the Suez Canal was constructed. The Suez Canal is a waterway that connects Europe to Asia by creating a direct shipping route without having to circumnavigate the African continent. This new infrastructure brought about by the economic developments in Europe brought Spain closer to the Philippines.

15. Economic Context The opening of Suez Canal also brought several advantages to the Philippines. First, the distance of travel between Europe and the Philippines was significantly shortened. Second, and it brought the county closer to Spain. With travel being significantly shortened, the Filipino ilustrados were able to send their children to universities in Europe.

16. Economic Context The education gained by these ilustrados opened their minds to the opposing conditions that are happening in the colony (Philippines) and the mother country (Spain). Being enrolled in prestigious universities in Europe, these Filipino ilustrados witnessed how the mother country enjoyed freedom, free from biases, injustices and racial discrimination. On the other hand, while Spain enjoyed freedom and rights, the colony suffered from the maladministration of justice committed by its incompetent and corrupt government officials.

17. Economic Context On this notion, the call for reforms has been constantly waged by the ilustrados abroad like Rizal. They organized the Propaganda Movement that aimed to expose the deplorable conditions of the Filipinos in the Philippines so that Spain may remedy them.

18. Socio-Cultural Context The 19 th century also brought socio-cultural changes in Spain and the Philippines. First, there came the rise of the enlightenment period, where people began to rely on human reason rather than faith and religion. In the Philippines, information through books and print media began to spread across the seas. The opening of the Suez Canal made these pieces of information readily available to the Filipinos by mail or hand-carried by travellers.

19. Socio-Cultural Context Next, the 19 th century Philippines saw the rise of middle-class, the principalias . With the increasing demand for abaca and other cops in Europe, there was a need for more Filipino to cultivate lands. Manila became a free port in 1834 primarily to European traders. After several months, provincial ports in the Philippines were also opened to world trade.

20. Socio-Cultural Context To further the economic gain of Spain, the Spanish officials recommended the exploitation and cultivation of the Philippine resources to expand its trade relationship with Asia and Europe. To enhance their trading capacities, Spain implemented the following measures: Reformation of the Galleon Trade Settlement of the Spaniards in the provinces for agricultural and trade purposes; and Government expropriation of the landed estates of the friar corporations.

21. Socio-Cultural Context With these measures, the Spanish Government was now duty-bound to allow Filipinos to rent and cultivate agricultural lands. To achieve this, more families had to engage in farming. Among those principalia families who benefited from leasing the land owned by the Dominican estate was the family of Rizal. The primary source of income of the family came from leasing and cultivating this wealthy friar estate.

22. Socio-Cultural Context However, despite these social developments, agricultural unrest continues to grow. Friars who owned the land exploited the tenants through flimsily increasing land rentals and taxes. This resulted in several agrarian unrest and dissatisfaction with the living conditions of the Filipinos under the friar-owned estates. Rizal fought heavily alongside the farmers. They contended that the corrupt motives of the friars heavily oppressed the social conditions of the Filipinos.

23. Understanding Rizal in the Context of the 19 th Century Philippines The Political, economic, and social conditions of the 19 th century shaped the kind of Rizal that we know today in history. To know why Rizal fought for reforms, one must look into the political conditions of the 19 th century to understand the political struggles of the Filipinos.

24. Understanding Rizal in the Context of the 19 th Century Philippines To know why Rizal fought against the Spaniards, one must assess how the Spanish Government exploited the Filipinos through their economic policies. To determine why Rizal attacked the friars in his novels, one must understand the social realities of the Filipinos during his time.

25. Understanding Rizal in the Context of the 19 th Century Philippines Rizal is a product of 19 th century. We cannot seemingly imagine a 19 th century Philippines without someone like Rizal on it. His life, works and writings helped shaped our history. Next, Rizal responded to the needs of the time. Therefore, Rizal came out at a time when he was most needed. Lastly, Rizal’s idea of a Filipino nation would not be possible without the events of the 19 th century.

26. Understanding Rizal in the Context of the 19 th Century Philippines Therefore, the success of Rizal and the Filipino people to achieve independence was a response to fulfil their growing desire for justice, equality, and freedom. The world and the Philippine context of the 19 th century molded the environment that Rizal lived. He responded to what the people needed and used his capabilities to achieve Filipino identity.

27. Thank You! 