THE PHILIPPINES IN

19TH CENTURY
Spain discovered the
Philippines while seeking new
trade routes and territories for
colonization.
Ferdinand Magellan reached
the Philippines in March 1521
Magellan wanted to convert
them to Catholicism
Philippines as a
valuable strategic
location
Spanish Colonization
on 1565
The name
“Philippines”
Conversion into Catholicism

Tactics used by Spain to convert

natives
Alliances
Force
Persuasion & Cultural Assimilation
Education
THE PHILIPPINES IN 19TH CENTURY
As Rizal's Context
• José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso
Realonda was born in the 19th century.

• June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna,

Philippines.

• Francisco Mercado Rizal (father) and

Teodora Alonso Realonda (mother)

• A large family with 11 children, Rizal being

the seventh.
It was Jose Rizal who first used the word
Filipino to refer to the inhabitants of the
country, whether they are of
Spanish or Filipino blood.

• Indios-native inhabitants
• Filipinos- inhabitants with Spanish blood
(peninsulares, insulares, mestizo)

He realized that the people residing in the

Philippines should be called one name Filipino.
 THE ECONOMIC
IMPACT
CHANGES IN THE 19TH CENTURY

In the era that Dr. Jose Rizal was born, four major changes in the Philippine economy under Spain
signifcantly impacted the country. These are the end of the Galleon trade, the opening of the Suez Canal,
countries with somewhat closed economies opening their ports to the world, and the rise of the export
economy.
 Export Economy in the 19th Century
Philippines
The shift from subsistence farming to cash crop production marked a major economic
transformation in the 19th-century Philippines. Driven by global demand, crops such as sugar,
tobacco, abaca, and coffee became key exports. Foreign merchants, especially Chinese traders,
played a crucial role in facilitating trade.

This economic shift led to the rise of wealthy landowners and merchant elites, while small
farmers struggled with land dispossession and mounting debts. Although the export
economy contributed to economic growth, it also widened social inequalities, fueling
nationalist sentiments and reform movements.

Ultimately, the export economy shaped the Philippines’ economic landscape, leaving lasting
effects on its social and political development.
 END OF GALLEON TRADE
(MANILA- ACAPULCO TRADE)
The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, which had been the
backbone of the Philippine economy for over 250 years, officially
ended in 1815. This trade route connected the Philippines to
Mexico and Spain, allowing the exchange of goods such as silk,
spices, and silver. However, its decline had significant economic
consequences:
Loss of Monopoly: The end of the Galleon Trade forced Spain
to rethink its economic policies in the Philippines, as it could
no longer rely on this exclusive trade route.
Shift to Global Trade: The closure of the Galleon Trade paved
the way for the Philippines to engage in direct trade with
other countries, marking the beginning of a more open
economy.
 The Opening of the Suez Canal
The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 was a game-changer for global trade and had a profound
impact on the Philippines:

Faster Travel and Communication: The Suez Canal significantly

reduced travel time between Europe and Asia, making it easier for
goods, ideas, and people to move between continents.
Exposure to Liberal Ideas: Filipinos, particularly the ilustrados
(educated elite), were able to travel to Europe more easily. This
exposure to Enlightenment ideas and liberal reforms inspired
figures like Rizal to push for change in the Philippines.
Economic Integration: The Philippines became more integrated into
the global economy, attracting foreign investors and increasing the
flow of goods in and out of the country.
 The Opening of Philippine Ports to World
Trade
In the 19th century, Spain began to open Philippine ports to foreign trade, marking a significant
shift from its previously closed economy:

Manila as an Open Port (1834): Manila was opened to world trade,

allowing foreign merchants and investors to conduct business in the
Philippines.
Economic Growth: The influx of foreign capital and goods
stimulated economic activity, particularly in agriculture and trade.
Rise of the Middle Class: The opening of ports created opportunities
for wealthy Filipinos (ilustrados) to engage in commerce and acquire
education abroad. This emerging middle class would later play a
crucial role in advocating for reforms.
 The Economic Impact of Monopolies in
19th Century Philippines
During Spanish rule, monopolies controlled Philippine trade, benefiting only few elites while
restricting economic growth. The Manila Galleon Trade (1565-1815), a highly profitable but
exclusive trade system between the Philippines and Mexico, limited local industry and created
economic dependence on Spain.
When the galleon trade ended in 1815, the Philippines struggled economically, as it lost Mexico as
a key trading partner. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 shifted the economy toward
agricultural exports like sugar, tobacco and abaca, but large plantations were controlled by
Spanish elites, the Catholic Church, and wealthy Chinese-Filipinos.
This system displaced small farmers, deepened social inequality, and created a lasting economic
divide. Many elite families from this period continue to hold power in modern Philippine politics
and business, demonstrating the long-term effects of trade monopolies.
Impact of sugar in the 19th century economy
Sugarcane was domesticated in Southeast Asia and introduced to the
Philippines by Austronesian migrants.
Early Filipinos consumed sugarcane raw, fermented it into wine, and
mixed it with rice but did not refine it into sugar.

Colonial Influence & Expansion

The Spanish turned sugar into a commercial product to reduce import
costs from China.
Chinese traders played a crucial role in its processing, distribution, and
export.
Spanish friars established large sugar plantations, especially in Luzon
and the Visayas, to meet growing demand.
Growth of the Sugar Industry
Sugar became a symbol of wealth and status among the local elite.
Religious estates in Pampanga and near Manila controlled refined sugar production.
Chinese merchants monopolized the sugar trade, transforming raw sugar into candy, syrup, and
export-grade products.
Economic Effects
Sugar plantations fueled economic growth and expanded trade with Europe and Asia.
Wealth became concentrated among Spanish elites and Chinese traders, leaving native farmers
with minimal economic gains.
Farmers shifted from subsistence farming to cash crops, making them dependent on market
fluctuations.
The rise of the sugar industry contributed to infrastructure development, including ports and
roads.
Economic Impact of the Tobacco Monopoly in
19th Century Philippines
The tobacco monopoly (1782), established by Governor-General Jose
Basco y Vargas, gave the Spanish government full control over tobacco
production, distribution, and pricing. It became a major revenue source
but caused hardship for local farmers.
Farmers were forced to grow only tobacco and sell it to the government
at low prices.
High taxes and strict quotas led to economic struggles and oppression.
Limited economic opportunities for locals, as independent trade was
banned.
Increased government revenue but at the cost of widespread poverty.
Fueled resentment and rebellion, contributing to the rise of Filipino
nationalism.
The Economic Impact of Abaca in 19th Century
Philippines
The Rise of Abaca
Global Demand: By the mid-19th century, abaca (Manila hemp) was the
leading cordage fiber worldwide.
Cash Economy: Abaca trade helped shift the Philippines towards a cash
economy.
Key Players in the Trade
American Influence: US companies like Sturges & Co. dominated exports.
Spanish Control: Plantation owners acted as intermediaries, limiting farmer
access to global markets.
Chinese Traders (1850s): Entered the market, offering barter trade and better
prices, gradually taking control.
Economic Contributions
Revenue: Major income source for the Spanish colonial government.
Employment: Created jobs in farming and processing sectors.
 The Basi Monopoly

Control of Local Wine: Basi, a traditional Ilocano wine made from

sugarcane, was monopolized by the Spanish government in 1786.
The Basi Revolt (1807): Ilocano farmers revolted against the
monopoly, which banned private production of basi and imposed
heavy taxes. The revolt was brutally suppressed, highlighting the
tension between colonial control and local traditions.
 The Opium Monopoly

Revenue Over Morality: In the late 19th century, Spain legalized and
monopolized opium sales to Chinese immigrants and Filipinos,
despite its social harm.
Profits and Hypocrisy: The government taxed opium dens heavily,
prioritizing revenue over public health—a hypocrisy Rizal later
condemned as emblematic of colonial moral decay.
 THE POLITICAL
LANDSCAPE
Liberalism, The Bourbon Reforms, and The Cadiz Constitution of 1812
 Liberalism

Liberalism is the idea that people should have rights, freedom, and a government that serves
them—not just the ruling elite.

Liberalism in the 19th Century:

Emphasized people’s rights and fair government.
Spread globally, influenced by the French and American Revolutions.

Liberalism in the Philippines:

Entered through books, newspapers, and education.
The Ilustrados (educated class) embraced liberal ideas and demanded
reforms.
 Liberalism

supported liberal policies:

Allowed freedom of speech, press, and peaceful
gatherings.
Gave Filipinos hope for a fairer government.

Return of Spanish Control:

De la Torre’s removal led to stricter policies.
Spanish authorities feared that too much freedom would
weaken their power.
Crackdowns on reformists fueled nationalist resistance,
Governor-General leading to future independence movements.
Carlos María de la Torre
 The Bourbon Reforms

The Bourbon Reforms were a series of policy changes implemented by the Spanish Crown in the
18th century. (Cushner, 1971; Zaide, 1984).

The aims of the reforms were:

modernize state finances
establish tighter political and administrative control within the empire
increase legal, registered trade with Spanish America to collect more tax
revenue for the Crown
curb contraband commerce
regain control over transatlantic trade and limit the church's power
strengthen the power of the Spanish state
decrease the power of local elites in favor of office holders from the Iberian
peninsula
increase silver production in Spanish America
The Bourbon Reforms significantly impacted the economic success of the
colonies, and domestic industries suffered under the reforms. One of the most
significant impacts was the increased tax burden on the Spanish colonists in the
Americas. As for Spanish governance reforms in the Philippines, the reforms had
limited impact on improving the living conditions of ordinary Filipinos (Cushner,
1971; Zaide, 1984).

The reasons for its limited impact are:

Distance
Lack of ideological coherence
Complexity
International conflicts
 The Cadiz Constitution (1812)

The Cadiz Constitution of 1812 was

Spain's first Constitution Spanish
promulgated by the stitution of 1812
was Spains, 1812, during the Spanish
War of Independence. The Cadion
and ten titles and 384 articles
(Constantino & Constantino, 2008;
Zaide, 1984).
Some significant provisions of the Cadiz Constitution:

It limited the power of the monarchy

Abolished feudalism
Provided equality between Spanish-born Spaniards
and Americans
Ended the Spanish Inquisition
The Cortes of Cadiz ratified the Constitution, the first Spanish
legislature that included delegates from the entire nation, including
the Philippines. The Cadiz Constitution of 1812 reflected the
principles of liberalism and profoundly impacted the Spanish
Empire and its colonies, including the Philippines. It influenced the
development of constitutionalism and democracy in the Philippines
and other parts of the world. (Constantino & Constantino, 2008;
Zaide, 1984).
SOCIO-CULTURAL
CONTEXT
19th century
 SOCIAL CLASSES IN THE 19TH CENTURY
Peninsulares
Insulares )
Middle Class
Chinese
Indios
 PENINSULARES
They are the highest class in the Philippines, entrusted with the offices of high
rank.
Pure blooded Spaniards born from Spain and sent to Spanish colonies to govern.
 INSULARES
They are rank below the peninsulares.
The insulares or criollos are of European descent but born in the colonies of
Spain.
A son or daughter of a Spanish couple is an insulare. Eventually, they may have
been inter-marrying with Filipinos or other races here in the country, thus
producing the mestizos.
 MESTIZO DE ESPAÑOL
They are offsprings of Spanish people interbreeding with Filipinos.
Mestizo is a term given to individuals inheriting foreign ancestry.
They may or may not have European or other racial features despite popular belief.
Originally, the term was used in Latin America but was later adopted here in the
country to children of racial inter-marriage.
 MESTIZO DE SANGLEY
Not all mestizo are indexed or are coming from Europeans
A person of Filipino or any racial descent marrying a Chinese, the result is children
that will be called mestizo de sangley.
They developed the commercial agriculture and owned several haciendas of sugar,
coffee and hemp. Later, they became the education and finance leaders because of non-
existence of Spanish Mestizos ascended to position of power in Philippine society.
Inquilinos - (Central Luzon) Pacto de retro (pawn the land or sanglang bigay.)
 TORNATRAS
Is an old Spanish term for a person of mixed ancestry from Spanish, Filipino and
Chinese.
Ilustrados (enlightenment/Intellectuals)
 INDIOS
Native Filipinos (lowest in the hierarchy, majority of the population).
 EDUCATION AND LITERACY
Spanish-controlled education system; limited access for Indios
Schools were run by friars (focused on religion, Latin, Spanish)
Illustrados went abroad to study (e.g., Rizal, Del Pilar, Jaena)
Growing literacy due to printing press and newspapers
 RELIGION AND THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH
Dominance of the Catholic Church (controlled education, government,
and land)
Friars had significant power (abuses, conflicts with native clergy)
Religious Practices (processions, fiestas, Simbang Gabi)
Influence on Filipino values and traditions
 FILIPINO CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
Traditional Filipino customs and practices (e.g., Bayanihan, Harana,
Courtship)
Influence of Spanish culture on language, clothing, food
The rise of Filipino literature and arts (e.g., Francisco Balagtas’
Florante at Laura)
 ENTERTAINMENT AND LEISURE
Kundiman and Harana (Filipino traditional music)
Moro-moro and Sarswela (Spanish-influenced plays)
Cockfighting (Sabong) and other traditional games
 GROWING NATIONALISM
Filipinos started to question Spanish rule (influenced by
Enlightenment ideas)
Emergence of Propaganda Movement and calls for reform
Impact of foreign events (e.g., American and French revolutions)
CONCLUSION
 REFERENCES
HTTPS://[Link]/SLIDESHOW/THE-19TH-CENTURY-PHILIPPINES-AS-
RIZALS-CONTEXTPPTX/260083704

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