QUEZON CITY UNIVERSITY

General Education Division – Social Sciences and Philosophy

MODULE 2

THE PHILIPPINES IN THE 19TH CENTURY IN THE CONTEXT OF DR. JOSE RIZAL’S ERA

A. Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Comprehend the context of Dr. Jose Rizal during his time.

2. Analyze the various social, political, economic, and cultural changes that occurred in the
19th century.

3. Appraise the link between the individual and the society

B. Introduction

One of the benefit of studying the history is to be able to understand our identity as a nation
and so as an individual. According to professor Dela Costa “It is difficult to say when Filipinos
began to think of themselves as Filipinos and not simply as Tagalogs, Ilokanos or Visayans.
Probably the preliminary stage in the development of national consciousness was reached
when indios realized that they have something in common, that is, a common grievance
against the [Link]

Indeed, the concept of being as “one nation” is and was imprinted in the mind and
consciousness of Jose Rizal, because he was the earliest person to contemplate that the
indios as unique people when he first coined the word “Filipino” to denote to all dwellers in
the land, whether they are pure blood Spanish or a pure blooded Filipino. Our experiences,
may it be in forms of struggle or the sweetness of victory molded us to think not only for our
self but also to the welfare of the others. As the famous dictum stated that no one can live
alone without the help and influence by others.

Lesson 1: THE GLOBAL CONTEXT: THE THREE GREAT REVOLUTIONS

One way to understand a person is to understand his or her background, in that note we can
understand Rizal and his thought and perspective by understanding the social and political
context of the 19th century where he existed. Many social scientists marked that the 19th
century as the genesis of modern life as well as the beginning of many nations and states of
the world. Modernity was hastened by three great revolutions, namely 1. Industrial
revolution in England, 2. French Revolution in France and 3. American Revolution.

A. Industrial Revolutions

Industrial revolution is also known as economic revolution. When Europe started to invent
and used steam engine and machinery in their factories and in their industries for efficient
and effective productions. Europe feudalism dramatically modify to economic capitalism
that focus into machinery and trade of services and goods. Traders became wealthy by
trading and using their capital in business in different industries to gain profits. Many farms
were abandoned by the famers and choose to be an industrial worker in the cities and left
behind their life in the rural areas. According to Karl Marx women became domesticated
household keepers in the society. “…the fast tempo of economic progress in the Philippines
during the 19th century facilitated by Industrial Revolution resulted to the rise to a new
breed of rich and influential Filipino middle class. Non-existent in previous centuries, this
class, composed of Spanish and Chinese mestizos rose to a position of power in the Filipino
community and eventually became leaders in finance and education.” (Agoncillo 1990: page
129-130). “Lastly, safer, faster and more comfortable means of transportation such as
railways and steamships were constructed. The construction of steel bridges and the
opening of Suez Canal opened shorter routes to commerce. Faster means of
communications enable people to have better contacts for business and trade. This resulted
to closer communication between the Philippines and Spain and to the rest of the world in
the 19th century. “ (Romero 1978: page 16)

B. The French Revolution

French revolution started in the year 1789 until 1799, where political upheaval in Europe
and in other places of the world, because of this revolution France transforms its
government from absolute monarchy to a more democratic form of government. They get
away from monarchical rule and adopt the egalitarian principles of Freedom, Fairness and
Fraternity. This transformation echoes not only in France but also in some parts of the world
and it reached Spain in the 19th Century. According to Dela Costa, “…Spain experienced a
turbulent century of political disturbances during this era which included numerous changes
in parliaments and constitutions, the Peninsular War, the loss of Spanish America, and the
struggle between liberals and conservatives”. (De la Costa 1965: page 159). “Moreover,
essential modifications in government structure were introduced by liberals in the
motherland. From 1834 to 1862, for instance, a brief span of only 28 years, Spain had four
constitutions, 28 parliaments, and 529 ministers with portfolio”. (Zaide 1999: page 203). “All
these political changes in Spain had their consequences in the Philippines, changing the
system of the old colonial scheme and introducing through blows dangerous possibilities of
development, of equality and even liberation” (De la Costa 1965: page 159).

C. The American Revolution

Philippines was not directly affected by the American Revolution, but because of the
influence of the Americans and through the reformation brought by Rizal. Zaide said
“Filipino reformists like Rizal to desire for freedom and independence. When the Philippines
was unlocked by Spain to world trade in the 19th century, liberal thoughts flourished from
America endured by ships and men from foreign ports began to reach the country and
influenced the ilustrados. These philosophies, contained in books and newspapers, were
ideologies of the American and French Revolutions and the thoughts of Montesquieu,
Rousseau, Voltaire, Locke, Jefferson, and other political philosophers.” (Zaide 1999: 214)

D. THE RISE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Not only the political revolution contributes to the reformation but also the birth and advent
of the Sociology, anthropology and history creates a great impact to the intellectual
traditions and trying to debunk, criticize and oppose using the human reason the dogmas
and teaching of the catholic church and this intellectual revolution called the Enlightenment.
Explanation from the philosophers such Michel de Montaigne, thought that human reason
could be a tool to contest ignorance, delusion, and autocracy and to shape a healthier world
and nations, against the domination the religions and of a society with an inborn aristocracy.

Lesson II: THE CHURCH IN THE 19TH CENTURY

Secularism in Europe is greatly affected the Church and the Spain, the battle between the
secular world from the power and influence of religions. Religion are significantly attached
to the monarch and aristocracy during the middle era of our history. France discerned that
the Church is a danger to the unified German Empire.

“…In Spain, the liberals considered the Church as an enemy of reforms. Thus they sought to
curtail to influence of the Church in political life and education. This movement against the
Catholic Church called anti-clericalism had gained strength in the nineteenth century not
only for political reasons but also of the materialistic preferences of the people generated by
the economic prosperity of the period.” (Romero et al 1978: page 17-18).

Lesson III. The Opening of the Suez Canal

“… the inaugural of the Suez Canal to worldwide carriage on 17 of November, 1869. Suez
Canal is 103 miles long and links the Mediterranean with the Gulf of Suez and from now with
the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Its importance could not be underrated. With the
opening of this canal, the distance of travel between Europe and the Philippines was
meaningfully reduced and brought the country nearer to Spain. In previous years, a steamer
from Barcelona had to cruise around the Cape of Good Hope, and reached Manila after a
dangerous journey of more than three months. With this waterway, the tour was reduced to
only 32 days.” (Zaide 1999: 215).
These water ways open the opportunities to enable the importation of printed books,
newspapers and magazines brings forth the liberal ideas from Europe and America, that
sooner swayed the minds and ideals of our Filipino reformist like Rizal. “…political thoughts
of liberal thinkers like Jean Jacques Rousseau (Social Contract), John Locke (/two Treatises of
Government), Thomas Paine regarding his common Sense and others entered the country.”
(Maguigad & Muhi 2001; page 62)

The Democractic Rule of Gov. Gen. Dela Torre “The government of the first liberal Governor
General de la Torre developed important values in the national consciousness. De la Torre’s
liberal and pro-people governance had given Rizal and the Filipinos during this period a
foretaste of a democratic rule and way of life. De la Torre put into practice his liberal and
egalitarian ways by avoiding luxury and living a simple life. During his two-year term. He
encouraged freedom and abolished censorship.”

(Maguigad & Muhi 2001: 63).

“He recognized the liberty of speech and of the media, which were assured by the Spanish
laws. Because of his lenient policy, priest like Fr. Jose Burgos and all Filipino priests were
stimulated to follow their vision of substituting the friars with the Filipino clerics as parish
administrator in the country.” (Zaide 1999: 217).

The Cavite Mutiny and the Martyrdom of GOMBURZA

The killing of GOMBURZA had hastened the rise and the growth of Philippine nationalism
and the demise of the Spanish rule in the country. Filipinos disliked the drastic death of the
three Filipino priests they believed that they were guiltless and blameless and were accused
to die because they stand up for rights of the Filipinos. Paciano witnessed the execution and
he stimulated Rizal to follow the cause of the three priests. And later on Rizal devoted his
novel Noli Me Tangere to GOMBURZA to display his gratitude to the bravery, commitment to
Filipino rights, and sense of patriotism.

Discontent with Spanish Institutions

“The Spain government make known to the country machineries to permit the colonial
government in the country to obey with its duties of supporting the Church’s mission of
proselytizing the populaces and to donate to the Spanish Monarch in maintaining the
economic benefits of the ruler. It comprise the encomienda, the polo system or forced labor
and the tributo or tax tribute. These tribute entailed of uninterrupted (personal tribute and
income tax) and indirect (customs duties and the bandala), taxes, monopolies (rentas
estancadas) of special crops and items as spirituous liquors, betel nut, tobacco, explosives
and opium.” (Agoncillo 1990: page 81).
Abuses and Immoralities of the Friars

“…not all friars are bad, abusive and immoral they became a reason of public’s regret
because of the Spanish regulation. Reformists like Dr. Rizal reviled the abusive friars and
hunted them to be ejected from the country as indicated by their “Anti-Friars Manifesto of
1888”: The ruthless friars were depicted by Rizal in his two novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo and by Graciano Lopez Jaena as Fray Botod ( friars with big belly).” (Zaide
1999: page 211). They were arrogant and abusive, they impregnated the local women and
gave them unlawful children.

Racial Discrimination

“One more reason of hostilities between Filipinos and Spaniards that steered to restlessness
of the Spanish rule is racial discrimination. It is a form of social prohibition where people are
prohibited from having access to public goods by virtue of their bodily appearances. It is an
superiority behavior of one race against inferior races. In colonization, the white colonizers
who are Caucasians often down on their colonized people or natives as inferior by virtue of
their skin, height, nose, or physical traits. In the Philippines, the Spanish authorities regarded
the brown Filipino as an inferior people and derisively called them “Indios” or Indians. This
racial prejudice against native Filipinos existed in the government offices, in the armed
forces, in the universities and colleges, in courts of justice, and in high society.” (Zaide 1999:
page 211).

Activities: (To be done during session)

1. Movie to watch: Ganito kami noon, Paano kayo Ngayon?

2. Clip to watch and read: a glimpse of the 19th Century in the Philippines.
[Link]

Assignment (To be done individually)

Direction:

1. Write a short essay and discuss the significance of the following. Give emphasis in your
essay how the following events have affected the political condition in the Philippines during
Spanish colonization.

a. Industrial Revolution
b. French Revolution

c. American Revolution

2. List down the effect that contributed to the growth of Filipino nationalism and of the
weakening of the Spanish rule in the Philippines. Present your work using pdf files.

a. Inaugural of the Suez Canal

b. Dissatisfaction to the Spanish Institutions

c. Abuses of the friars

d. Racial Discrimination

Reflection (To be done individually)

Direction:

In the movie Ganito kami noon, Paano kayo Ngayon?, create your reflection by making

a poster/drawing in legal size paper and a short explanation of it at the back of the paper.

Project (To be done individually)

Make your own short but informative biography from your grandparent until present.

(birth place, works, distinguished attitudes and weaknesses if possible). Type this in pdf
form.

References

▪ Agoncillo, Teodoro A. (1990). History of the Filipino People. Quezon City: Garotech
Publishing.
▪ De la Costa, Horacio (1965). Readings in Philippine History. Manila: Bookmark.
▪ Maguigad, Rogelio and Muhi, Estrellita (2001). Brief History of the Filipino People.
Manila: V.
Valencia Enterprise.
▪ Romero, Ma. Corona ( 1978). Rizal and the Development of National Consciousness.
Quezon
City: JMC Press, Inc.
▪ Schumacher, John N. (1997). The Propaganda Movement 1880-1895. Quezon City:
Ateneo de
 Manila University Press.
▪ Augusto V. De Vlana, Helena Ma, F. Cabrera, et al., Jose Rizal: Social Reformer and
Patriot.
▪ A Study of His Life and Times Revised edition, Rex Bookstore 2018.
▪ [Link]
▪ [Link]
▪ [Link]