Notes of the Philippines in the 19th Century

This is notes about the Philippines in the 19 century as Rizal’s context

1. LECTURE NOTES
The World and the Philippines of Rizal's Time
oIn the 19th century, there were massive changes in the world.
oIn this century, Rizal was born and exposed to varying political, economic and socio-cultural realities.
oRizal 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.
Political Context
oThe 19th century was marked for its tremendous social change. Europe prospered like never before and
England led the way as the growing imperialist power.
oFrance conquered Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Other countries soon followed Britain's imperialist's
examples.
oThe Filipino people were exposed to the evils of colonials rule such as:
oMaladministration of justice;
oNo equality before the law;
oRacial prejudice;
oForced labor;
oFrailocracy;
oLack of representation in the Spanish Cortes.
The constant shift of these political policies also disrupted the way Spain governed the Philippines.
• First, 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.
• Second, no equality before the law.
In the Philippine context in the 19th 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.
Third, racial prejudice
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.
• Fourth, Forced Labor
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.
• 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.
Lastly, 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.

2. 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.
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.
The education gained by these lustrados 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.
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.
SOCIO-CULTURAL CONTEXT
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:
oReformation of the Galleon Trade
oSettlement of the Spaniards in the provinces for agricultural and trade purposes; and
oGovernment expropriation of the landed estates of the friar corporations.
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.
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.
Understanding Rizal in the Context of the 19ta Century Philippines
The Political, economic, and social conditions of the 19th 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 19th century to understand
the political struggles of the Filipinos.
Understanding Rizal in the Context of the
19th Century Philippines

3. oTo know why Rizal fought against the Spaniards, one must assess how the Spanish Government exploited
the Filipinos through their economic policies.
oTo determine why Rizal attacked the friars in his novels, one must understand the social realities of the
Filipinos during his time.
oRizal is a product of 19th century. We cannot seemingly imagine a 19th century Philippines without someone
like Rizal on it. His life, works and writings helped shaped our history.
oNext, Rizal responded to the needs of the time. Therefore, Rizal came out at a time when he was most
needed.
oLastly, Rizal's idea of a Filipino nation would not be possible without the events of the 19th century.
oTherefore, 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 19th
century molded the environment that Rizal lived. He responded to what the people needed and used his
capabilities to achieve Filipino identity.