Rizal 2: 19th Century

• The Philippines in the 19th century underwent significant changes that had a profound impact on its society, economy, and politics
• Key events and developments in the Philippines in the 19th century as Rizal’s context

  • End of the Galleon Trade
  • Opening of the Suez Canal
  • Opening of the Ports to World Trade
  • Rise of the Export Crop Economy
  • Monopolies
  • Education
  • Rise of the Chinese Mestizo
  • Liberalism
  • Impact of the Bourbon Reforms
  • Cadiz construction
• The Galleon Trade, also known as the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade, was significant from the late 16th century until the early 19th century
• The Galleon Trade was a maritime route that connected Manila in the Philippines with Acapulco in Mexico and, by extension, with the rest of the Spanish Empire
• The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea
• The Suez Canal was constructed by the Suez Canal Company between 1859 and 1869 by French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps
• The Suez Canal was officially opened on November 17, 1869
• In the latter half of the 19th century, the ports of the Philippines were gradually opened to increased international trade, contributing to the integration of the Philippines into the global economy
• During the 19th century, the Philippines experienced a significant transformation in its economy with the rise of the export crop economy, focusing on cash crops such as sugar, tobacco, abaca, and later, copra
• In the 19th century, the Spanish colonial government granted monopolies to certain industries and trade sectors in the Philippines, leading to economic power concentration and exploitation of resources and labor
• Educational changes in the Philippines during the 19th century included the establishment of public schooling systems by the Spanish colonial government, often privileging the elite mestizo and Spanish classes
• José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, was a product of the educational system established during the 19th century. He studied in the Philippines and later in Europe, and his novels are "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo"
• During the 19th century, the Chinese mestizo community in the Philippines grew in size and economic importance, consisting of descendants of intermarriages between Chinese immigrants and native Filipinos
• Rizal's novels

  • "Noli Me Tangere"
  • "El Filibusterismo"
• Context of the Philippines in the 19th Century as Rizal’s Context: Rise of the Chinese Mestizo


  • The Chinese mestizo community in the Philippines grew in size and economic importance
  • Descendants of intermarriages between Chinese immigrants and native Filipinos
  • Significant force in local commerce and trade
• Context of the Philippines in the 19th Century as Rizal’s Context: Rise of the Inquilino


  • The inquilino system was a tenancy arrangement prevalent in Philippine agriculture during the 19th century
  • Inquilinos were tenant farmers who cultivated land owned by Spanish or mestizo landlords
  • They received a portion of the harvest in exchange for their labor
• Context of the Philippines in the 19th Century as Rizal’s Context: Political Liberalism


  • Spread of liberal ideologies from Europe influenced the thinking of the Filipino ilustrado (educated class)
  • Ideas included calls for administrative reforms, civil liberties, and representation for the colonies
  • Opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 facilitated the exchange of ideas and the return of educated Filipinos from Europe, bringing notions of liberalism and nationalism
• Context of the Philippines in the 19th Century as Rizal’s Context: Political Impact of the Bourbon Reforms


  • Series of administrative and economic changes implemented by the Spanish Crown in the 18th century, impacting the 19th century
  • Reforms aimed to modernize colonial administration and make it more efficient
  • Reforms led to opening of the economy to foreign trade, secularization of parishes, and strengthening of royal authority in the Philippines
• Context of the Philippines in the 19th Century as Rizal’s Context: Political Cadiz Constitution


  • Cadiz Constitution of 1812 established by the Spanish Cortes in Cadiz
  • Introduced constitutional monarchy, national sovereignty, and limited representation for the colonies
  • Reinstated briefly during the liberal Trienio Liberal period (1820-1823) with minimal effects in the Philippines due to reluctance of Spanish colonial authorities to implement reforms
• Context of the Philippines in the 19th Century as Rizal’s Context: Subtopic "Seeing the life of an individual in society and society in the life of an individual"


  • Revolves around the intricate relationship between an individual and the society they belong to
  • Encompasses reciprocal influence and dynamic interplay between an individual's life experiences and the broader societal context
  • Focuses on understanding how an individual's life is shaped, influenced, and often constrained by the norms, values, and structures of the society in which they live
  • Explores the ways in which an individual, as a member of society, contributes to and is influenced by the collective beliefs, behaviors, and institutions within that society