Module 2
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE 19 th CENTURY: SPAIN AND THE PHILIPPINES
At the end of the module, students should be able to:
1. Examine the historical background of the rise of nationalism and in the context of Rizal's ideas
Learning Content
► Rizal as a political philosopher
► Reform and the Revolution
19 th CENTURY SPAIN
Spain during the first three quarters of the 19th century was a country of instability and
chaos.
Conquered by Napoleon Bonaparte he made his brother Joseph as king.
Guerilla warfare against the French ensued
In 1812 a constitution was made by the Liberal Cortes
Ferdinand VII was restored to power by 1814, he returned to absolute government
Civil wars broke out between the Liberals and Carlists (supporters of Don Carlos)
Maria Cristina as regent of her infant daughter Isabella (successor to the throne under the
terms of Pragmatic Sanction)
1868 a revolution against Isabella took place and she was forced to abdicate
Alfonso XII of Spain became king, which finally brought Spain into a period of stability
and reform
Philippines in the 19th Century: Economic Development
Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade
Reforms made by Gov. Gen. Jose Basco y Vargas
1830 - growth of export economy from the British and American merchants
Philippines exported agricultural products resulting to the growth and profit of Filipino
hacienderos and inquilinos of the friar haciendas
Economic Development as a whole is a non-Spanish initiative
Opening of the Suez Canal in 1869
Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal – First Semester A.Y. 2021 – 2022 NIPSC– Estancia Campus
Irene A. Bargo, LPT, MAT School of Arts and Sciences
The Philippine Society
The Native Population
PRINCIPALIA - They are the rich landowners; local government officials
ILLUSTRADO – they are the educated ; middle class
COMMON PEOPLE or MASSES – they are majority of the class workers
Political Development
Spain has no consistent policy for the overseas colonies
Philippines was used as a dumping ground to reward Spanish officials
Rampant corruption in the Government
Governor-general was the chief executive with the widest of powers
Cultural Development
1860 spread of education -rise of llustrados
1859- Ateneo Municipal run by the Jesuits
1865- Escuela Normal de Maestros
Humanistic Education in literature, science and philosophy
Experience of Filipino students in Spain
Religious Development
Religious Orders played a dominant part in Philippine life
Government relied heavily on the friars to maintain Spanish power
Secularization issue between the regular and secular clergy (Filipino parish priests vs.
Dominicans, Augustinians, Recollects and etc.)
Cavite Mutiny that led to the execution of GOMBURZA (Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez
and Jacinto Zamora) in Bagumbayan
Rizal as an "illustrado"
He criticized the Spanish government officials for failing to provide adequate services.
"Illustrado" philosophy
FOCUS: To promote self-government
Rizal waged a relentless campaign to ameliorate the lot of his people through his
political writings and ideas
Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal – First Semester A.Y. 2021 – 2022 NIPSC– Estancia Campus
Irene A. Bargo, LPT, MAT School of Arts and Sciences
Rizal's political views:
To seek self-reliant, self-respecting government, and a "people's government, made for the
people, by the people and answerable to the people."
Advanced practical solutions to domestic as well as international problems
Reforms must come from above to be more effective
Basic Political Reforms
The restoration of Filipino representation to the Spanish Cortes and freedom of the press
Reorganization of the administrative machinery
Adoption of a comprehensive examination and the publication of its results and allowing
Filipinos to have the same opportunity with the Spaniards to hold government office
Justice is the foundation of society and the government
Rizal's Concept of Government and Politics
"In order to govern peoples he does not know or understand, he ought to possess the talent
of a genius and extraordinary knowledge."
Rizal's Definition of Basic Political Terms
Political Culture - is a set of ideas, values and attitudes about government and the
political process held by a community or nation "without education and liberty ... no
reform is possible"
Political Socialization -- the process by which people, at various stages in their lives,
acquire views and orientations about politics.
Rizal. .. emphasized the importance of being a Filipino. His goal was to promote the
political aspirations of the Filipino people for life, democracy and happiness.
Political Ideology - comprehensive and logically ordered set of beliefs about the nature of
people and about the institutions and role of the government.
Rizal. .. to overcome strife and achieve triumph at the end
Nationalism -- the idea of oneness by a group of people who possess common traditions, a
shared history, a set of goals, and a belief in the specific future.
Rizal. .. "He is the father of his country"
Representative Government - the notion that the people have an inherent right to sit in a
chamber that determines their future
Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal – First Semester A.Y. 2021 – 2022 NIPSC– Estancia Campus
Irene A. Bargo, LPT, MAT School of Arts and Sciences
Rizal. .. Filipino representation in the Spanish Cortes was essential to the governing
process
Democracy- a government in which all power is shared by citizens.
Rizal. .. best government was a mixture of representative democracy and responsible
model of democracy
Filipinos to actively participate in local government
National government officials to make decisions and bring results to the local level
Rizal Would Criticize Today’s Society
Unstable economic and political situation of the country
- confusions brought about by the allegations of electoral fraud and cheating
- filibustering (long speeches consuming and wasting precious time)
- How priests spend the money of the church today
- More vigilant on the maladministration of justice for the people
- Criticize the prevailing graft and corruption in the bureau
- Criticize the "gambling lords", those receiving "”jueteng payola"
Rizal ... His moral, political, spiritual and economic legacies would still apply to this day.
The Revolution
RIZAL vs BONIFACIO
RIZAL- a reformist
BONIFACIO -- a revolutionary
The LIGA - a crusade for national unity and prosperity
The Katipunan
- pursued liberty, equality, and brotherhood
- it assumed after the LIGA
- a secret society intended to march for freedom
Its membership was meant to be an act of self-surrender for the sake of the greater good of the
country.
Kartilla - embodied the articles of faith of the Katipunan.
Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal – First Semester A.Y. 2021 – 2022 NIPSC– Estancia Campus
Irene A. Bargo, LPT, MAT School of Arts and Sciences
- a testament drafted by Emilio Jacinto that emphasized on: purposeful life, equality, charity,
good character, integrity, honor, trustworthiness, concern for and defense of the
oppressed, respect for women, golden rule, love of country and commitment
The patriotic ideals of the LIGA and the nationalistic courage of the KATlPUNAN were the
essential ingredients that ignited the flame of the first nationalist revolution in Asia against a
colonial rule.
Conclusion
The development of Rizal's ideas and of nationalism is composed of different factors .
... The reformist spirit of RIZAL and the revolutionary fervor of BONIFACIO
became the initial nourishment of the soul of the nation.
Both the events in Spain and her policies in the Philippines paved the way for nationalism to
develop. Spain can no longer prolong her administration since reforms were far from
her agenda.
Assessment
1. Describe the political situation in the Philippines during the 19th century and the political situation of
Spain during the 19th century.
2. Describe the role of religious orders during the 19th century.
References
Agoncillo, T. A.(1956). The revolt of the masses: The study of Bonifacio and Katipunan.
Quezon City:UP Press.
Pasigui, R.E and Cabalu, D.H. (2006). Jose Rizal: The man the hero (An anthology of
legacies and controversies). Quezon City:C.&E Publishing, Inc.
Capino, D. et al. (2005). Rizal's life, works and writings: Their impact on our national
identity. Quezon City: Bookman, Inc.
Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal – First Semester A.Y. 2021 – 2022 NIPSC– Estancia Campus
Irene A. Bargo, LPT, MAT School of Arts and Sciences
Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal – First Semester A.Y. 2021 – 2022 NIPSC– Estancia Campus
Irene A. Bargo, LPT, MAT School of Arts and Sciences
