The Philippines in The 19th Century As Rizal's Context Economic, Social & Political Aspects

The Philippines in
the 19th Century as

Rizal's context:
Economic, Social &
Political Aspects
WHAT WE'LL DISCUSS
Economic and Political Situation of the Philippines
Education and the Rise of the Ilustrados
TODAY'S
TOPICS
Economic and Political
Situation of the
Philippines
Some historians refer to the 19th century as a long century in Philippine history
because of the numerous changes that happened during this period.
In terms of political and economic changes, the brief occupation of Manila by British forces
in 1762-1764 and the rapid development of economies in Europe made Spanish
administrators in the colony rethink their policies so as not to get left behind by their
neighbors and to prevent another incident such as the British occupation from happening
again in the near future.
Some of the more notable reforms were the abolition of the Galleon trade and the
opening of the Philippines to world trade in 1830. This enabled not only the increase in
economic activities in the country and the entry of firms from other European states
but also the entry of foreign ideas mostly through the form of books and other printed
media during that time.
In case of Rizal, he was able to read various European literature such as Alexander
Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo and the Three Musketeers.
Andres Bonifacio, the leader of the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng

mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) was also able to read literatures on the French revolution that
later on influenced some of the works of both individuals.
The end of Spain’s wars with the Dutch and the British, as well as the nullification of the
slave-raiding activities of the Moro, also led to the development of agriculture lands and
the discovery of new frontiers in the Philippines. . This eventually created a change in
the social and economic class in the country with the prinicipalias and mestizos
benefitting from these changes, thus the consequent emergence of local elites.
During the previous centuries, it was forbidden for the Philippines to trade with other
countries because of Spain's monopolistic policy, but colonial officials ignored this
instruction and traded with other nations.
By 1834, this mercantilist policy of not allowing the Philippines to trade with other
countries was scrapped with the opening of manila to world trade. Other ports in the
colony like Iloilo, Cebu, Sul, Pangasinan and Zamboanga followed.
There was a brisk demand for Philippine products such as sugar, coffee, abaca, tobacco,
dyestuff and rice. This created economic opportunities as many families began trading
these products for the international market. These families were mostly mestizos
consisting of Spanish and Chinese families. They intermarried with natives who were
farmers that became traders. The increased wealth allowed middle-class families to
have better houses
The end of Spain’s wars with the Dutch and the British, as well as the nullification of the
slave-raiding activities of the Moro, also led to the development of agriculture lands and
the discovery of new frontiers in the Philippines. . This eventually created a change in
the social and economic class in the country with the prinicipalias and mestizos
benefitting from these changes, thus the consequent emergence of local elites.
In Laguna, Jose Rizal’s family was considered to be one of the local elites in the
province since they were leasing large blocks of lands from friar estates in Calamba.
These developments however did not help in bridging the gap between the local elites
and the poor and marginalized sectors in the country. This gap led to different revolts
such as the Basi Revolts in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte during the early 19th century.
These revolts showed the growing gap between the rich and the poor because they were
directed not only against the Spanish authorities but also to the babaknangs or elites in
the two provinces.
The implementation of the Cadiz Constitution in 1812 also provided a brief legal
justification for the quest for equality since it was stated in the document that all citizens
of Spain, including those in the colonies, were equal under the law.
Education and the

Rise of the Ilustrados
But through all these reforms, perhaps the most notable was the increase of
educated Filipinos as the colonial government, under directives from Spain, also
started to reform educational institutions in the Philippines. Filipino and Chinese
Mestizo elite families who were able to capitalize on the opening of the Philippine
markets to the world sent their children to school to take professional courses not
only in the Philippines but also in Europe.
Travelling to Europe during that time was also made easier with the opening of
the Suez Canal in 1859. With their education and exposure outside the country,
these individuals, who later on were referred as ilustrados, eventually formed the
core of a new emerging movement that asked the colonial government for much
needed reforms in the Philippines.
This new movement, called the reform and propaganda movement, was different
from earlier revolts because it had a more nationalistic and racial dimension
fueled by the sufferings and discriminations experienced by Filipinos under the
Spaniards. This was also supplemented by the liberal policies applied by liberal
administrations of Spain in the Philippines such as the Cadiz Constitution in 1812.
This movement also drew inspiration from the earlier efforts of the native secular
priests such as Padre Jose Burgos who fought for equal rights among the clergy in
the 1860’s.
. The secular priests’move, along with the students’ involvement from different
higher institutions in the country during that time, to gain equal rights, however,
was interpreted by the Spanish administrators and friars as an attempt to
overthrow the government leading to massive breakdowns made against students
along with some local elites in the country in 1872. Burgos, along with fathers
Jacinto Zamora and Mariano Gomez, were executed on February 17, 1782.
Rizal was born in 1861 amidst all of these political and economic reforms and
turmoils. He belonged to a local elite family who was fortunate enough to
capitalize on the existing conditions at the time. He was sent to school in the
Philippines; and despite the hardships that his family had to go through during
the latter part of the century, he was able to study in Europe.
Later on, he moved back to the Philippines in 1982 establishing the La Liga
Filipina. Rizal’s involvement in the revolution is still a controversial issue among
historians today, with some arguing that Rizal was not favor in revolution; while
others see Rizal being one of the main influencers of the KKK.
Two things are for sure, however. First is that Rizal also though about revolution
as a means of emancipating the Philippines from Spain based on his letters to
fellow propagandists and friends such as Jose Alejandrino, Antonio Luna, Marcelo
H. del Pilar, and Ferdinand Blumentritt. Second is that the founders of Katipunan,
like Andres Bonifacio and Deodato Arellano, were members of Rizal’s La Liga
Filipina.

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The Philippines in

the 19th Century as

Andres Bonifacio, the leader of the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng

Education and the

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