HISTORY FACTS: Emergence of the Middle Class Focusing on the Roles of the Chinese Mestizo

Summary

This video explores the history of Chinese mestizos in the Philippines, a group with mixed Chinese and native ancestry. It discusses their rise to prominence between 1741 and 1850 as landholders and middlemen, their significant economic impact, particularly in Luzon, Cebu, and Iloilo, and their treatment of indigenous populations. The script also covers the Spanish policy of divide and rule, the mestizos' potential for revolt, and the societal changes leading to a distinct Filipino identity by the 19th century.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chinese mestizos in the Philippines are persons of mixed Chinese and native ancestry.
• 🏛️ Since 1898, there has been no legally defined mestizo class in the Philippines.
• 📊 The population was divided into four categories: Spanish, mestizo, Chinese, and indio.
• 💼 Chinese were primarily merchants and moneymakers, while indios were mainly agricultural.
• 🚫 Chinese were usually restricted in geographic mobility and could not participate in local government.
• 🏡 Chinese mestizos could participate in local government like indios and had more freedom to move.
• 💍 Intermarriage was common as a way to change social status, with both parties needing to be Catholic.
• 📈 Chinese mestizos rose to prominence between 1741 and 1850, becoming significant landholders and middlemen.
• 🌾 Inquilinus, a term from historic Chilean agriculture, refers to laborers who worked on landlords' land in exchange for protection and a share of the produce.
• 📉 The use of 'pakto de retro' led to the acquisition of indio lands by mestizos, contributing to land alienation.
• 🌍 By the mid-19th century, Chinese mestizos had substantial land interests and dominated internal trade.
• 💰 Chinese mestizos were known for their wealth and economic power, but also for harsh treatment of indio workers.
• 👑 Social prestige was associated with being a Chinese mestizo, influencing fashion and trends in Manila.
• 🔄 The latter half of the 19th century saw a shift in occupations for mestizos due to competition from Chinese immigrants.
• 🌐 The term 'Filipino' traditionally referred to Spaniards born in the Philippines, but evolved to represent a distinct Philippine society.

Q & A

What is the Philippine term for persons of mixed Chinese and native ancestry?

The Philippine term for persons of mixed Chinese and native ancestry is 'Chinese mestizos'.

When did the term 'mestizo' lose its legal definition in the Philippines?

The term 'mestizo' lost its legal definition in the Philippines in 1898.

How were the Chinese and mestizos treated in terms of geographic mobility during the Spanish control?

The Chinese were usually restricted, while mestizos, like the indios, were relatively free to change residences.

What was the role of Chinese mestizos in local government during the Spanish era?

Chinese mestizos, both individually and corporately, could participate in local government with the indios, unlike the Chinese who could never participate.

What was the primary economic activity of Chinese in the Philippines during the Spanish era?

Chinese were primarily involved in commerce, establishing themselves as moneymakers in various ways such as provisioners of food, retail traders, and artisans.

What was the term used to describe laborers who were indebted to landlords in historic Chilean agriculture?

The term used to describe laborers who were indebted to landlords in historic Chilean agriculture was 'inquilinus'.

What was the 'pacto de retro' and how did it affect land ownership in the Philippines?

The 'pacto de retro' was a contract of retrosession where indio landowners pawned their land for ready cash with an option to repurchase. It often led to land alienation, as indios seldom repaid the loans, resulting in the land defaulting to the mestizos.

How did the Chinese mestizos contribute to the wealth of Cebu?

Chinese mestizos, particularly those in Cebu City who were descendants of Chinese inhabitants in the city of Baryan, contributed significantly to Cebu's wealth as rich, industrious, and active merchants, boosting the trading economy in the region.

What was the social status of Chinese mestizos in the Philippines during the 19th century?

Chinese mestizos enjoyed high social prestige due to their wealth and economic position. They were considered the arbiters of fashion and were known for their wise investments, gambling, and ostentatious dress.

How did the influx of Chinese population in the latter half of the 19th century affect the mestizos and indios?

The influx of the Chinese population led to occupational diversity as the Chinese proved to be tough competitors in trade. This forced some mestizos and indios to shift their focus to agriculture or become craftsmen.

What was the traditional meaning of the term 'Filipino' and how did it change in the 19th century?

Traditionally, 'Filipino' was used by Spaniards to refer to a Spaniard born in the Philippines. However, in the 19th century, societal changes led to the creation of a specifically Philippine society, and the term began to be associated with this new identity.