The Philippine Society of 19th century

Summary

The transcript discusses the historical context of the Philippines before and during Spanish colonization, highlighting the semi-communal and semi-slave social systems, and the feudal system influenced by Islam in certain regions. It describes the Spanish conquistadors' imposition of colonial and feudal rule, leading to widespread revolts against oppressive practices. The 1896 Philippine Revolution is noted as a significant event that intensified resistance against colonial exploitation. The summary also touches on the discrimination faced by native students in colonial educational institutions and the growing awareness among the educated Filipinos, which alarmed colonial authorities.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Many Filipinos today may not be interested in or aware of the historical significance of Philippine independence and the lives of their 19th-century ancestors.
• 🏰 Before Spanish colonization, the Philippines had a semi-communal and semi-slave social system, with some areas under a feudal system, especially in Mindanao and Sulu where Islam was prevalent.
• 👑 The Spanish conquistadors were able to establish control over the archipelago due to the lack of political unity among the diverse groups of people.
• 🏛️ Spanish rule led to a colonial and feudal society where power was concentrated in the hands of landlords, colonial officials, religious orders, and local chiefs.
• 🔥 Resistance to Spanish rule was evident in the form of revolts against forced labor, commercial monopolies, land grabbing, religious imposition, and other oppressive practices.
• 🌊 The Philippine revolution of 1896 was a significant event that highlighted the growing national and democratic aspirations of the people, as well as their resistance to colonial exploitation.
• 🌾 The intensification of feudal exploitation included the hated 'Henda' system, land seizures, and arbitrary increases in land rent by landlords and bureaucrats.
• 🎓 The entry of native students into higher education institutions like the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas increased, despite racial discrimination from Spanish classmates and friar mentors.
• 🤝 The distinction between Philippine-born Spaniards and Spanish-born Spaniards highlighted internal divisions within the colonial society.
• ⚖️ The growing number of educated indigenous people, or 'illustrados,' led to concerns among colonial authorities about potential challenges to their rule based on the colonial laws they did not fully uphold.

Q & A

What was the social system of the Philippine archipelago before the arrival of the Spanish colonialists?

Before the arrival of the Spanish colonialists, the people of the Philippine archipelago had already attained a semi-communal and semi-slave social system in many parts, and a feudal system in certain parts, especially in Mindanao and Sulu where Islam had taken root.

How did the Spanish conquistadors manage to impose their rule on the Philippines?

The Spanish conquistadors were able to impose their rule on the Philippines due to the absence of political unity involving all or the majority of the people of the archipelago, allowing them to step by step assert their will even with a few hundreds of colonial troops at the start.

What was the nature of the society that developed under Spanish rule?

The society that developed under Spanish rule was colonial and feudal, ruled by a landlord class which included Spanish colonial officials, Catholic religious orders, and local public chiefs. The majority of the people worked up to the status of serfs.

What were the main causes of the revolts against Spanish colonial rule?

The revolts against Spanish colonial rule were caused by labor, commercial monopolies, excessive land grants, land grabbing, imposition of the Catholic faith, arbitrary rules, and other cruel practices by the colonial rulers.

What was the significance of the Philippine Revolution of 1896?

The Philippine Revolution of 1896 marked the intensification of the struggle against colonial and feudal exploitation, as the national and democratic aspirations of the broad masses of the people rose in response to increased oppression.

What was the 'Henda' system and why was it hated?

The 'Henda' system was a form of forced labor that was adopted during the intensification of feudal exploitation. It was hated because it imposed a heavy burden on the peasants and was a form of exploitation by the landlords and bureaucrats.

Why did the entry of native students into the Royal and Pontifical University of Santa Damas become conspicuous?

The entry of native students into the Royal and Pontifical University of Santa Damas became conspicuous because it was a significant development in the education of the native population, despite their still being subjected to racial discrimination by Spanish classmates and friar mentors.

What was the distinction between 'Philippine born Spaniards' and 'Spanish born Spaniards'?

The distinction between 'Philippine born Spaniards' and 'Spanish born Spaniards' was that the former were derisively called 'Filipinos' by the latter, indicating a form of internal colonial discrimination within the Spanish community in the Philippines.

How did the increasing number of educated indigenous people affect the colonial authorities?

As more indigenous people joined the ranks of the educated, the colonial authorities became alarmed and fearful that they would be challenged based on the colonial laws, which they did not fully practice themselves.

What were the expectations and aspirations of the broad masses of the people during the late 19th century in the Philippines?

The broad masses of the people during the late 19th century in the Philippines had increasing national and democratic aspirations, which were fueled by the oppressive conditions under colonial and feudal rule.