Topic 1: The Conditions of Europe, America, and Spain

a. Rizal's Century: The 19th Century - April

b. The Need for Reforms: Representation- Sancai
c. Conditions in Asia in the 19th Century- Eroll
Topic 2: Conditions in the Philippines in the 19th Century
- Ivan, Ernesto, Jessille

Topic 1: The Conditions of Europe, America, and Spain

Rizal's Century: The 19th Century

The 19 th century was a century of change. During the last two decades of the
previous century, the age of enlightenment reached its zenith in France,
culminating in the French Revolution of 1789. In this age, ideas of freedom,
liberty and equality, and the belief in the sovereignty of the people in determining
government thundered all across Europe. The French Revolution resulted in the
toppling of the monarchy of King Louis XVI and the ushering in of the French
Republic. Though France was to slide back to monarchy following the
establishment of Napoleon Bonaparte’s French Empire and the restored Bourbon
Dynasty, the ideas of philosopher such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu,
Francois-Marie Arouet (Voltaire), and Englishman John Locke spread around the
world like a conflagration. The world was never the same again.The struggle of
equal rights has spread over the world. Europe went up in revolution from 1848,
with the regimes of the absolute monarchs in France and Austria being toppled
by people seeking more responsible governments. In 1861, the year of Rizal’s
birth, Tsar Alexander II emancipated Russian serfs. That year, the Italians, under
Giuseppe Garibaldi,threw out the Austrians and took over the papal lands. Italian
nationalism ended the domination of the church and united various Italian states
as one country. Germany, on the other hand, was in the process of unification
which lasted until 1871. In the United States,President Abraham Lincoln
emancipated the black slaves but also triggered the American CivilWar which
lasted from 1861 to 1865. At the south of the U.S. border, Mexican troops dealt a
humiliating defeat on the French-supported regime of Archduke Maximillian. In
France, the regime of Napoleon III was crumbling after the debacle in Mexico.
Later the French overthrew the monarchists and established a republic. At this
time, however, most of Spain’s colonies such as those in South and Central
America, such as Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela,Columbia, Ecuador, Peru,
Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and others have won their independence from
Spain through revolution. The Philippines was one of Spain’s remaining colonies
along with Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Spanish Sahara.
 ❖ 19th Century
➢ century of change
➢ Why was it the history of change?
❖ Age of Enlightenment:
➢ Reached its zenith (peak) in France, leading to the French Revolution of
1789, emphasizing freedom, liberty, equality, and sovereignty people in
determining government thundered all across Europe.
❖ French Revolution Outcomes:
➢ Toppled King Louis XVI's monarchy.
➢ Established the French Republic.
➢ After Napoleon Bonaparte established his French Empire, France shifted
back to a monarchy with the return of the Bourbon Dynasty.
➢ Ideas from philosophers like Jean- Jacques Rousseau,
Montesquieu,François- Marie Arouet (Voltaire), and Locke spread
globally.
➢ The struggle for equal rights has spread over the world
❖ Revolutions in Europe (1848):
➢ Series of uprisings across Europe against absolute monarchies in France
and Austria for more responsible governments.
❖ Russian Serf Emancipation (1861):
➢ The year of Rizal's Birth
➢ Tsar Alexander II freed Russian serfs.
❖ Italian Unification:
➢ Same year 1861
➢ Led by Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italians expelled Austrians and took over papal
lands
➢ Italian nationalism ended the domination 0f the Church and united the
various Italian states as one country.
Germany on the other hand,
❖ German Unification:
➢ Process of unification continued until 1871.
In the United States,
❖ American Civil War (1861-1865):
➢ President Abraham Lincoln emancipated slaves, leading to a significant
conflict leading to this war.
At the south of the U.S border, Mexico
❖ French Intervention in Mexico:
➢ Mexican troops defeated the French-supported regime of Archduke
Maximilian.
❖ Decline of Napoleon III:
 ➢ His regime weakened after failures in Mexico; France eventually
established a republic again.
❖ Independence Movements in Latin America:
➢ Most Spanish colonies gained independence through revolutions by the
mid-19th century, with the Philippines remaining a colony.

The Need for Reforms: Representation

During Napoleon’s time, Spain was part of France’s alliance against Great Britain
in the Continental System. When this alliance faltered, Napoleon invaded Spain
in 1808 and installed his brother Joseph as king. The Spaniards registered the
French, and Spanish patriots declared allegiance to their crown prince Ferdinand
and gathered in the city of Cadiz where they crafted a constitution. The
Constitution of Cadiz had a novel feature of allowing colonies to be represented in
the Spanish parliament called the Cortes. The Philippines therefore was given
representation for the first time, and Ventura de los Reyes, a Spaniard born in the
Philippines, was selected to represent the colony. However, after Napoleon was
defeated, Ferdinand, who had become King Ferdinand VII, abolished the Cortes,
saying that the body encroached on powers he believed belonged solely to him.
The decision was unpopular as Spain’s American colonies began to revolt and
sought independence. In 1820, the Spanish people rose up and held the king
hostage. They forced him to reconvene the Cortes and restore representation of
the colonies. The restoration of the Cortes was short-lived as France, under the
Bourbons, sent an army which restored Ferdinand to absolute rule and caused
the abolition of Cortes. In 1833, Ferdinand VII died and the Cortes was again
restored. However, at this time, the body held a secret session in which it was
decided that the Philippines should not be accorded representation. From the
time on, the Philippines had no representation in the Cortes. Representation in
this body was one of the reforms demanded by reformists like Rizal. It would
have given the Filipinos the right to be heard in the body and equal rights with
the Spaniards. After Ferdinand VII died, the country was ruled by his daughter,
Queen Isabela II, whose rule was characterized by decadence and
mismanagement. Other European power such as Great Britain and France
became leading powers in the continent.

❖ Continental System Alliance

➢ Spain allied with France against Great Britain during Napoleon's
Continental System.
❖ Invasion of Spain (1808)
➢ Napoleon invaded Spain and installed his brother Joseph Bonaparte as
king after the alliance faltered.
❖ Spanish Resistance
 ➢ Spaniards opposed French rule, declaring allegiance to crown prince
Ferdinand and gathering in Cadiz to craft a constitution.
❖ Constitution of Cadiz (1812)
➢ Introduced representation for colonies in the Spanish parliament (Cortes),
allowing the Philippines to be represented by Ventura de los Reyes.
❖ Ferdinand VII's Rule:
➢ After Napoleon's defeat, Ferdinand VII abolished the Cortes, claiming it
infringed on his powers, leading to unrest in Spanish colonies.
❖ Restoration of Cortes (1820):
➢ The Spanish people revolted, holding Ferdinand hostage and forcing him
to reconvene the Cortes for a brief period.
❖ French Intervention:
➢ France restored Ferdinand's absolute rule, leading to the abolition of the
Cortes again.
❖ Cortes Abolished for Philippines: In 1833,
➢ after Ferdinand's death, the Cortes held a secret session deciding against
Philippine representation.
❖ Reform Demands:
➢ Reformists like Rizal sought representation in the Cortes for equal rights
with Spaniards.
❖ Queen Isabela II's Rule:
➢ Following Ferdinand VII's death, Isabela II ruled amid decadence and
mismanagement.

Conditions in Asia in the 19th Century

❖ In Asia, there were renewed efforts of European penetration with the weakening
of Spain and Portugal and the rise of Great Britain and France. The British gained
its colony in Hong Kong and forced China to open five ports to its traders
following China’s defeat in the Opium War of 1839-1842. China was humiliated
with another defeat in the Arrow war of 1856-1858 when the British, now joined
by the French, forced China to open the whole country to foreigners.
Furthermore, Great Britain enlarged its colony in Hong Kong by taking over
Kowloon, and Japan was forced to open by the Americans under Commodore
Matthew Perry in 1854.Unlike the Chinese, however, the Japanese were able to
parry western requests to make Yokohama a treaty port .India became a crown of
colony of Great Britain in 1858 following the suppression of the Sepoy Mutiny in
1857. Burma became a colony of Great Britain after three Burmese Wars in
1824-1826, 1862-1863, 1885-1886. Near the Philippines, Indo-China became a
protectorate of France following the suppression of the kingdoms of Annam and
Cochin-China. Filipino troops sent from Manila played a role in the conquest of
 Indo- China for France. Malaysia became a protectorate and eventually a colony
of Great Britain while Indonesia was conquered by the Dutch of the Netherlands.

❖ In Asia, there were renewed efforts of European penetration with the weakening
of Spain and Portugal and the rise of Great Britain and France.
❖ The British gained its colony in Hong Kong and forced China to open five ports to
its traders following China's defeat in the Opium War of 1839-1842.
❖ China was humiliated with another defeat in the Arrow war of 1856-1858 when
the British, now joined by the French, forced China to open the whole country to
foreigners.
❖ Great Britain enlarged its colony in Hong Kong by taking over Kowloon, and
Japan was forced to open by the Americans under Commodore Matthew Perry in
1854. Unlike the Chinese, however, the Japanese were able to parry western
requests to make Yokohama a treaty port.
❖ India became a crown of colony of Great Britain in 1858 following the
suppression of the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857.
❖ Burma became a colony of Great Britain after three Burmese Wars in 1824-1826,
1862-1863, 1885-1886.
❖ Near the Philippines, Indo-China became a protectorate of France following the
suppression of the kingdoms of Annam and Cochin-China. Filipino troops sent
from Manila played a role in the conquest of Indo-China for France.
❖ Malaysia became a protectorate and eventually a colony of Great Britain while
Indonesia was conquered by the Dutch of the Netherlands.

Topic 2: Conditions in the Philippines in the 19th Century

Ivan
❖ Liberal stirrings from Europe reached the Philippines. In the Ilocos, leading
citizens there, called Kailanes, refused to believe that the Cadiz Constitution was
abolished by King Ferdinand and rose up in revolt. They were crushed by troops
from the other provinces. In 1826, Mexican soldiers led by Lt. Andres Novales
mutinied. They complained of discrimination and unfair treatment from
peninsular officials following the independence of Mexico from Spain. The
mutineers tried to rally the Filipinos to their support and promised to fight for
the independence of the Philippines. The mutiny, however, was crushed and
rebels were executed.
❖ Liberal stirrings from Europe reached the Philippines.
➢ European liberal ideas influenced political movements in the Philippines,
encouraging local leaders to seek rights and representation.
❖ In the Ilocos, leading citizens there, called Kailanes, refused to believe
that the Cadiz Constitution was abolished by King Ferdinand and rose
up in revolt.
 ➢ The Kailanes, believing in their rights under the Cadiz Constitution,
revolted against Spanish authority when they learned of its abolition.
❖ They were crushed by troops from the other provinces.
➢ The revolt was suppressed by Spanish troops, demonstrating the colonial
government's military strength and control over dissent.
❖ In 1826, Mexican soldiers led by Lt. Andres Novales mutinied.
➢ Novales and his men revolted due to discrimination against them by
Spanish officials, reflecting broader discontent in colonial governance.
❖ They complained of discrimination and unfair treatment from
peninsular officials following the independence of Mexico from
Spain.
➢ The mutineers felt marginalized compared to peninsulares (Spaniards
born in Spain), especially after Mexico gained independence.
❖ The mutineers tried to rally the Filipinos to their support and
promised to fight for the independence of the Philippines.
➢ Novales sought to unite Filipinos against Spanish rule, promising them a
fight for their own independence.
❖ The mutiny, however, was crushed and rebels were executed.
➢ The Spanish authorities swiftly quelled the uprising, executing the leaders
to deter future revolts.
❖ The last of the series of revolts took place in 1841-1842 when Apolinario de la
Cruz refused to disband his religious organization, the Cofradia de San Jose. De
la Cruz aspired to be a priest but was refused by the Spaniards because of his
race. Instead, he founded the Cofradia which gained popularity among ordinary
people and was seen as a threat by the Catholic Church. After his execution and
the suppression of the Cofradia, members of the Tayabas Regiment of the
Spanish army, who turned out to be province-mates of de la Cruz, mutinied and
almost took over Manila. The arrival of native reinforcements saved the Spanish
colonizers from certain defeat.
❖ The last of the series of revolts took place in 1841-1842 when
Apolinario de la Cruz refused to disband his religious organization,
the Cofradia de San Jose.
➢ De la Cruz led a significant revolt against Spanish colonial rule, defying
orders to dissolve his religious group, which represented Filipino interests.
❖ De la Cruz aspired to be a priest but was refused by the Spaniards
because of his race.
➢ His rejection from the priesthood due to racial discrimination motivated
him to create a religious organization for Filipinos.
❖ Instead, he founded the Cofradia which gained popularity among
ordinary people and was seen as a threat by the Catholic Church.
 ➢ The Cofradia attracted many followers, challenging the authority of the
Spanish-controlled Catholic Church and promoting Filipino religious
identity.
❖ After his execution and the suppression of the Cofradia, members of
the Tayabas Regiment of the Spanish army, who turned out to be
province-mates of de la Cruz, mutinied and almost took over Manila.
➢ Following de la Cruz's death, soldiers from his home province revolted in
solidarity, nearly capturing Manila in their uprising against Spanish rule.
❖ The arrival of native reinforcements saved the Spanish colonizers
from certain defeat.
➢ Additional Spanish forces intervened just in time to quell the mutiny,
preventing a significant loss of control over Manila.
Ernesto
❖ The defeats of native revolts demonstrated that the Philippines was disunited
because of lack of a national identity. The Spaniards used this disunity to divide
and rule the country. Demographically, the Spaniards were a minority of the
Philippines. Peninsular officials born in Spain were very few, consisting of the
governor- general and, a few subalterns and the top church officials, and the
insular officials, the Spaniards born in the Philippines who were also few in
comparison to the native population which numbered around six million. In large
towns, the Spanish officials were only the parish priest and the head of the local
police. The colonial order was maintained largely by native officials. Local
officials such as gobernadorcillos, the councilmen, and others were natives. The
policemen were also natives, and even the composition of the local Spanish army
and civil guards was largely natives. Only the officials down to the rank of
sergeants were Spaniards. The Spaniards, despite their inferior number,
managed to retain the loyalty of the native officials by giving them certain
privileges that kept them separate from the rest of the population. The
gobernadorcillos were afforded the titles of capitan municipal, teniente, and
cabeza. Though their positions did not pay much, the titles gave them an exalted
position in native society and were called principais or leading citizens. There
were also some material reward in serving the Spaniards. A number of principals
descended from the loyal datus who pledged their loyalty to the colonizers. They
were exempt from taxation and community labor or prestacion personal. They
were also entitled to receive a portion of their collection from the people. After
serving their terms of office, former officials were still eligible for reelection. It
was possible for former officials to be reinstated into their former offices several
times. This explains why Spain controlled the Philippines for more than 300
years. Spain controlled the natives through the native leaders.
❖ The defeats of native revolts demonstrated that the Philippines was
disunited because of a lack of national identity.
➢ The failure of revolts indicated that Filipinos lacked a unified sense of
nationhood, which weakened their resistance against colonial rule.
❖ The Spaniards used this disunity to divide and rule the country.
➢ Spanish authorities exploited local divisions among various ethnic and
social groups to maintain control over the Philippines.
❖ Demographically, the Spaniards were a minority in the Philippines.
➢ The Spanish population, including both peninsulares and insulares, was
significantly smaller compared to the native Filipino population.
❖ Peninsular officials born in Spain were very few, consisting of the
governor-general and a few subalterns and the top church officials.
➢ The number of high-ranking Spanish officials in the Philippines was
limited, primarily comprising the governor-general and select clergy.
❖ The insular officials, Spaniards born in the Philippines, were also few
in comparison to the native population which numbered around six
million.
➢ Insulares were a small fraction of the total population, highlighting their
minority status within a predominantly native society.
❖ In large towns, the Spanish officials were only the parish priest and
the head of the local police.
➢ In many urban areas, Spanish presence was minimal, often limited to key
roles like parish priests and police chiefs.
❖ The colonial order was maintained largely by native officials.
➢ The administration relied heavily on local leaders and officials to enforce
colonial policies and maintain order.
❖ Local officials such as gobernadorcillos, councilmen, and others were
natives.
➢ Filipino leaders played crucial roles in governance, acting as
intermediaries between the Spanish authorities and local communities.
❖ The policemen were also natives, and even the composition of the
local Spanish army and civil guards was largely natives.
➢ Many law enforcement and military roles were filled by Filipinos, further
illustrating their involvement in maintaining colonial rule.
❖ Only the officials down to the rank of sergeants were Spaniards.
➢ Spanish individuals primarily occupied higher ranks while lower positions
were predominantly held by natives.
❖ The Spaniards managed to retain the loyalty of native officials by
giving them certain privileges that kept them separate from the rest of
the population.
 ➢ The colonial government incentivized cooperation from local leaders
through privileges that distinguished them from ordinary Filipinos.
❖ The gobernadorcillos were afforded titles like capitan municipal,
teniente, and cabeza.
➢ These titles elevated local leaders' status within their communities,
granting them respect despite limited financial compensation.
❖ Though their positions did not pay much, the titles gave them an
exalted position in native society and were called principais or leading
citizens.
➢ Titles conferred prestige on these officials, allowing them to be seen as
influential figures among their peers.
❖ There were also some material rewards in serving the Spaniards.
➢ Serving colonial authorities provided certain economic benefits to local
leaders, reinforcing their loyalty.
❖ A number of principals descended from loyal datus who pledged their
loyalty to the colonizers.
➢ Some local elites had historical ties to pre-colonial leadership structures
that aligned with Spanish interests.
❖ They were exempt from taxation and community labor or prestacion
personal.
➢ Loyal local leaders enjoyed tax exemptions and relief from mandatory
labor obligations imposed on commoners.
❖ They were also entitled to receive a portion of their collection from
the people.
➢ Local officials could collect fees or taxes from their communities, further
incentivizing their collaboration with colonial powers.
❖ After serving their terms of office, former officials were still eligible
for reelection.
➢ This policy allowed local leaders to maintain political influence over time
through repeated terms in office.
❖ It was possible for former officials to be reinstated into their former
offices several times.
➢ The system enabled continuity in leadership among familiar figures who
had established relationships with both locals and Spaniards.
❖ This explains why Spain controlled the Philippines for more than 300
years.
➢ The effective use of local leaders allowed Spain to sustain its colonial rule
over an extended period despite being outnumbered.
❖ Spain controlled the natives through the native leaders.
 ➢ By leveraging local authority figures, Spain effectively managed its colonial
administration without needing a large number of Spanish personnel
on-site.

Jessille
❖ Changes in the 19th century had profound effects to the Philippines. Even during
the previous century when it was forbidden for the Philippines to trade with other
countries because of Spain’s monopolistic policy, colonial officials, ignored this
instruction and traded with other nations anyway because it promised income for
the Philippines. 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 and Zamboanga later followed. There
was 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. In the process, they became more
affluent and formed the nucleus of the middle class. The increased wealth
allowed middle -class families to have better homes and send children to colleges
and universities for higher education. During the early 19th century, the
education of choice was priesthood and many middle-class families sent their
sons to seminaries in Manila. They obtained higher education degrees which
made them equal with the Spaniards. Eventually they became concerned with
issues of equality including secularization. By the time of Rizal’s birth in 1861, the
quest for equality was the cry of the times. It influenced Rizal throughout his life
and it became his lifelong quest.

❖ Changes in the 19th century had profound effects on the Philippines.

➢ The 19th century brought significant social, economic, and political
transformations that shaped the future of the Philippines.
❖ Even during the previous century when it was forbidden for the
Philippines to trade with other countries because of Spain’s
monopolistic policy, colonial officials ignored this instruction and
traded with other nations anyway because it promised income for the
Philippines.
➢ Despite restrictions, local officials engaged in trade to boost the economy,
indicating a desire for economic growth.
❖ 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.
 ➢ The lifting of trade restrictions marked a turning point, allowing the
Philippines to engage in international commerce.
❖ Other ports in the colony like Iloilo and Zamboanga later followed.
➢ Following Manila's opening, additional ports were opened to foreign trade,
further integrating the Philippines into global markets.
❖ There was brisk demand for Philippine products such as sugar,
coffee, abaca, tobacco, dyestuff, and rice.
➢ The demand for local products created new economic opportunities and
stimulated agricultural production.
❖ This created economic opportunities as many families began trading
these products for the international market.
➢ Increased trade led to the rise of local businesses and families engaging in
commerce.
❖ These families were mostly mestizos consisting of Spanish and
Chinese families.
➢ Mestizo families played a key role in the emerging middle class due to
their mixed heritage and access to trade networks.
❖ They intermarried with natives who were farmers that became
traders.
➢ Intermarriage between mestizos and native farmers facilitated the
transition from agriculture to trade.
❖ In the process, they became more affluent and formed the nucleus of
the middle class.
➢ As trading activities flourished, these families gained wealth and
established themselves as a middle-class demographic.
❖ The increased wealth allowed middle-class families to have better
homes and send children to colleges and universities for higher
education.
➢ Economic prosperity enabled upward mobility through improved living
conditions and access to education.
❖ During the early 19th century, the education of choice was priesthood
and many middle-class families sent their sons to seminaries in
Manila.
➢ Many sought religious education as a pathway to social status and
influence within society.
❖ They obtained higher education degrees which made them equal with
the Spaniards.
➢ Education provided opportunities for mestizos and natives to achieve
social parity with Spanish colonizers.
❖ Eventually they became concerned with issues of equality including
secularization.
 ➢ Growing awareness of social injustices led to demands for equality and
reforms within the colonial system.
❖ By the time of Rizal’s birth in 1861, the quest for equality was the cry
of the times.
➢ The pursuit of equality became a central theme in Filipino society during
Rizal's early years.
❖ It influenced Rizal throughout his life and it became his lifelong
quest.
➢ Rizal's experiences and societal changes shaped his commitment to
advocating for equality and reform in Philippine society.