SPAIN AND PHILIPPINES IN THE 19TH CENTURY

Spain in the 19th Century

Political Instability in Spain 1830. All of Spain’s American colonies have seceded
and became independent states with the exception of Cuba and Puerto Rico.
Isabella II and Charles (Carlos V). Ferdinand’s daughter and Son
Carlist Wars. This are the series of civil wars.

Philippines during Rizal’s Time

Encomienda System. They were forced by the Spanish colonizers to accept
Spanish culture and religion.

Abandonment of Mercantilism
Mercantilism. The country’s wealth and power are measured in its stock of gold
and silver. All trade should be conducted within a certain country and its colonies.
Laissez Faire or Free Market Trade. Countries and their colonies began trading
with one another. Merchants began trading freely. There was a demand for Philippine
products such as sugar, coffee, rice and tobacco.

Economic Situation
1. Rising of middle class in the colony.
2. Middle class families were able to acquire higher education.
3. Enlightenment of ideas.

Administrative Organization
The government of the country was unitary as policies implemented by colonial
administrators from Luzon to Mindanao emanated from the Manila, the seat of the
central government.

Governor-General
 Head by the Spanish colonial government in the country.
 He was the Vice Royal Patron over religious affairs.
 Actors acordados
Local Government Units
 Provinces (Alcadias, Alcade Mayor, Indulto de commercio- Licensed to trade)
 Towns (Pueblos, Gobernadorcillo- as the town executive. His principal
responsibility was tax collection.)
 Barrios ( Also called Barangays, Cabeza de Baragay- head of the Barangay)
 Cities (During the Spanish regime was called “Ayuntamiento”. Cabildo- or city
council composed of a city mayor, councillors, chief constable and a secretary.)

Spanish Friar
The key figure in the local administrative set-up. The supervising representative
of the Spanish government for all locals affairs. He was practically the ruler of the town,
local school inspector, health inspector, of the accounts of the gobernadorcillos and
cabeza de barangay. His approva was required in census lists, tax lists, list of army
conscript and register of births, deaths, and marriages.

Guardia Civil
 Deals with the outlaws and renegades
 Filibusteros and Erehes

Social Structure of Filipino Society

 Feudalism
 Encomienda system
 19th CENTURY WORLD OF RIZAL

Growth and Development of Nationalism

Nationalism. It is the sense of loyalty or psychological attachment that members
of a nation share, based on a common language, history, culture, and desire for
independence.
The growth of nationalism can be attributed to two major revolutions of the earlier
century:
 American Revolution of 1776
The American Revolution gave birth to the United States of America. On
the other hand.
 French Revolution of 1789
French Revolution led to the overthrowing of the absolute rule of the
Bourbon Dynasty and the abolition of the feudal system.

There are three points that stand out in this complex ideology:
1. Nationalism has evolved from a real and or imagined cultural unity manifesting
itself in a common language, history and territory.
2. Nationalists have usually sought to turn this cultural unity into political reality so
that the territory of each people coincides with its state boundaries.
3. Nationalists believed that every nation has the right to exist in freedom and
develop its character and spirit.

Negative sides of Nationalism:

1. The ideas of national superiority and national mission can lead to aggressive
crusades and counter crusades.
2. Nationalism can also stress differences among peoples.

Rise and Gradual Spread of Liberalism and Democracy

The principal ideas of liberalism (liberty and equity) were the first realized
successfully in the American Revolution and then achieved in part in the French
Revolution. This political and social philosophy challenged conservatism in the
European continent.