University of San Agustin

Social Science Department

Iloilo City
The Formation of Philippine Colonial Society, 17621896

Objectives: At the end of this unit, the

students should be able to..

discuss and analyze the factors that led to the

development of Filipino nationalism;
describe the patterns of Philippine economic
developments and appraise their effects;
discuss the nature and analyze the significance
of the reform movement; and
identify and explain the factors that lead to the
staging of Philippine Revolution.

Contributory Factors that Led

to the Development of
Filipino Nationalism

Oppressive Colonial Policies and the

Natives Responses

Common Grievances
abuses

and exploitation by the friars

excessiveness of Spanish imposed
institutions

Early Uprisings
Filipinos

staged more than 100 revolts

aware of strength; education in struggle; each
led to awakening of national consciousness

External Political Factors

Spread of Progressive
European Ideologies
tenets

of individual
liberty and greater
freedom; ideas of
equality and fraternity
spread of liberalism in
the Philippines

19th Century Economic Development

Opening of the country to international

commerce
mercantilism

to laissez-faire: development of
new classes, alteration of existing order
galleon trade and government monopolies
were abolished
expansion of trade and opening of ports: high
foreign demands; agricultural production
development and regionalization of cash
crops

Rise of the Middle

Class
Philippine

opening to
world trade: prosperity
few Filipinos and
mestizos prosper:
middle class
provided national
leadership

Improvements of
Transportation
and
Communication
Facilities
roads,

bridges,
mail service, etc..
natives became
more aware of
their common
plight

Opening of the Suez Canal in 1869

shortened

route between Philippines and

Europe
influx of liberals to the country
Filipinos traveled to Europe and learned
progressive ideologies

Establishment of Foreign Firms in the

Country
English

and American businesses were

established

19th Century Political Developments

Secularization and
Filipinization
long

quarrel between
regulars and seculars
over parish assignments
and supervision
native priests resented
the injustices and
discrimination against
them

Liberal
Administration of
Gov. Gen. Carlos
Maria de la Torre
granted

individual
rights to natives
Filipinos 1st
experience of a
liberal government

Cavite Mutiny and

GOMBURZA Martyrdom
Gov.

Gen. Rafael de
Izquierdo suspended or
revised liberal policies of
his predecessor: unrest
broke out
workers at Fort San
Felipe at Cavite mutinied
Frs. Gomez, Burgos and
Zamora were accused,
tried and executed

Patterns of Philippine
Economic Development

Economic Development
in the 19th Century

Adoption of Liberal Economic Policy

(Laissez-faire)
galleon

trade and government monopolies

were abolished
development of agricultural resources,
widening of commercial contacts with other
countries
production of cash crops was encouraged:
new sources or revenue, less dependence

Economic Transformations Brought by

Opening of the Country to World Trade
establishment

of foreign firms and consulates

regional specialization of crops flourished
banks and service-owned facilities were put
up
Chinese and Filipinos became capitalists
mestizos grew in affluence
became retail merchants, wholesalers and
landowners
became leaders in finance and education

The Reform Movement

Concept of Nationhood

Role of the Middle Class

Spanish and Chinese
mestizos and natives who
rose to position of power
and became leaders in
finance and education
discriminated by the
Spaniards
started movement for
reforms
worked closely with the
natives

Nature of the Reform

Movement
expose

evils of Spanish
colonialism in the Philippines
and in Spain
Spanish government be
aware of Philippine
conditions: grant of some
reforms
no clamor for independence,
but peaceful assimilation

Some Reforms Demanded by the Reform

Movement
Philippines

be made a province of Spain

equality before the law
transparency in the government
education for all
restoration of representation in Spanish
Cortes
return of lands to the natives
Filipinization of the Catholic Church

The Great Reformists

filibusteros

(mutineers),
young men sent to Spain
to study (Rizal, etc) and
refugees who escaped
persecution (Jaena, del
Pilar, etc)
La Solidaridad with a
publication of the same
name was established in
Barcelona in December
1888

Results and Significance of the

Reform Movement

Weaknesses of the
Movement
Spain

was too pre-occupied

with its own internal problems
friars were too powerful
did not have sufficient means
to carry out its objectives; lack
of funds
lack of unity among reformists

Significance of the
Movement
La

Solidaridad and novels of

Rizal influenced local
illustrados who later on led
revolutionary forces in their
areas
feeling of empathy
developed among people
its failure led into the
founding of the Katipunan
with a revolutionary aim

Factors Leading to the

Philippine Revolution of 1896

Underlying Factors
Influence of the
Propaganda
Movement
The Role of Masonry

anti

friar movement
helped fund
propaganda movement
pattern for the methods
of the organization of
KKK

La Liga Filipina
organized

by Jose Rizal
in July, 1892
sought to involve
people directly to
reform movement
unite the people;
coming up of a strong
nation
declared dangerous:
Rizal was arrested and
deported to Dapitan

The Split among

Reformists
Liga

lay low due to arrest

and deportation of Rizal
members were convinced
that peaceful agitation for
reforms was futile
conservatives: pledged to
continue supporting La
Solidaridad
radicals: formed a new
secret society, KKK

Centuries of
Exploitative Imposed
Institutions
common

sufferings
among people
deep resentment felt
against land grabbing
and other exploitative
practices
people rallied to
revolutionary struggle

Immediate Causes

Economic Depression in 1891-1895

unstable

currency and exchange

fluctuations
prices of sugar and hemp fell
disastrously

Drought and Locust Infestation in

Central Luzon in June and July 1896
misery

and desperation led people to

the cause of revolution

Convergence of
Grievances
convergence

of the
discriminated and
exploited classes
formed common
stream of protest
conditions became
ripe for a revolution

The Katipunan
led

by Andres
Bonifacio
separation of the
Philippines from
Spain
arousing national
feeling; working for
deliverance from
Spanish oppression
and friar despotism

Preparation for Revolutionary

Struggle

Recruitment, Propaganda and

Expansion

Katipunans Preparation
recruitment

and gathering

of arms
publication of Kalayaan
edited by Emilio Jacinto
enlisting the aid of
wealthy Filipinos
establishment of womens
chapter

indoctrination of members
with Kartilla prepared by
Emilio Jacinto
visitation of Dr. Pio
Valenzuela to Rizal at
Dapitan
seeking the aid of the
Japanese
stealing of riffles and pistols
from Spanish arsenals

Discovery of KKK and Start of the

Revolution
betrayal of Teodoro Patio
in August 19, 1896
massive arrest,
imprisonment and
execution of suspected
members
The Die is Cast Cry of
Pugadlawin (Aug. 23) or
Cry of Balintawak (Aug. 26)

Credits
Data
Funtecha, H.F. & Padilla, M.J. (2000). A study
guide in Philippine history for students and
teachers. Iloilo City: Mindset.
Pictures
www.google.com