The Philippines in the 19th Century as Rizal’s Context

Summary

This script explores the transformative 19th century in the Philippines, focusing on the socio-political context that shaped Rizal's life. It highlights the Industrial Revolution's impact on the economy and society, the influence of global revolutions like the French and American ones, and the changes in trade routes with the opening of the Suez Canal. The script also delves into the social stratification during Spanish colonization and the educational reforms that influenced Rizal and his contemporaries, leading to a rise in reform movements and the quest for independence.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The 19th century was a period of significant change globally, including the Philippines, with the era marked by the Enlightenment and various revolutions.
• 🏭 The Industrial Revolution transformed production, transportation, and communication by replacing manual labor with machines.
• 🛳 The galleon trade was a vital economic link between Acapulco, Mexico, and the Philippines, taking months for trade routes.
• 🌊 The opening of the Suez Canal in Egypt provided a shorter route for trade, significantly impacting the economy and opening new possibilities for the Philippines.
• 💼 The Industrial Revolution led to economic prosperity in the Philippines, with modern agriculture, improved transportation and communication, and the emergence of a middle class.
• 📚 More Filipinos were able to study in Europe, gaining knowledge and material wealth, which improved their social status.
• 🗝️ The French Revolution changed the political landscape, introducing radical changes and the transformation of government structures.
• 🏴 The American Revolution inspired the idea that colonized people could gain independence, influencing the political aspirations of the Philippines.
• 🛑 The abolition of the galleon trade system opened the Philippines to global trade and agricultural development but also led to social inequality.
• 🧩 Social stratification in the Philippines during Spanish colonization included Peninsulares, Insulares, Creoles, Illustrados, and the lower class of natives.
• 📚 Rizal's family, being part of the middle class, benefited from the educational opportunities provided by the opening of the Suez Canal, leading to a rise in reform movements.

Q & A

What significant changes occurred in the 19th century that had an impact on the Philippines?

The 19th century was marked by the Industrial Revolution, which transformed production, transportation, and communication through the use of machines. This period also saw the birth of modern life and many nations, including the Philippines, experiencing social and political upheavals.

What was the Galleon Trade and how did it affect the Philippines?

The Galleon Trade was a system where steamships called galleons transported goods from Acapulco, Mexico, across the Pacific Ocean to the Philippines and vice versa. This trade route was significant for the Philippines' economy, but it was slow and time-consuming until the opening of the Suez Canal.

What is the Suez Canal and how did it impact the Philippines' economy?

The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway in Egypt that provided a shorter route for trade between Europe and Asia. Its opening significantly reduced the time required for trade, leading to economic prosperity in the Philippines due to increased trade opportunities.

How did the French Revolution influence the political landscape of the 19th century?

The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political change that transformed the governmental structure from an absolute monarchy to a more democratic system. It set a precedent for political upheaval and inspired movements for independence and reform across the world.

What was the American Revolution and how did it affect the idea of colonial independence?

The American Revolution was a political upheaval in the 18th century that led to the independence of the American colonies from British rule. It introduced the idea that colonized people could achieve independence, which greatly influenced the political aspirations of other colonies, including the Philippines.

What was the impact of the abolition of the 'guardian trade' on the Philippines?

The abolition of the 'guardian trade' opened the Philippines to global trade, which was previously limited to exchanges with Spain. This led to the development of agricultural land and economic prosperity, although it also resulted in benefits being concentrated among the principalia and mestizos.

What were the different social classes in the Philippines during Spanish colonization?

The social classes during Spanish colonization included Peninsulares (Spaniards born in Spain), Insulares (Spaniards born in the Philippines), Creoles (mixtures of Spanish and native Filipinos), Illustrados (well-educated Filipinos), Principalias (landowners), and the Natives or Indios (the lower class).

What was the Rizal family's social class and how did it influence their children's education?

The Rizal family belonged to the middle class and were considered Illustrados or affluent. This social status allowed their children to study in exclusive schools in Manila and abroad, gaining knowledge and education that opened their minds to the world.

What were the limitations of the educational system during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines?

The educational system during the Spanish colonial period emphasized religion, lacked academic freedom, practiced racial discrimination, and had a limited curriculum, which restricted the intellectual development of Filipinos.

How did the opening of the Suez Canal create opportunities for Filipinos to study in Spain?

The opening of the Suez Canal facilitated faster and more efficient trade routes, which in turn opened up opportunities for middle-class Filipino families to send their children to study in Spain, broadening their horizons and exposing them to new ideas.

What was the role of the ilustrados in the rise of the reform movement in the Philippines?

The ilustrados, being well-educated and often having studied abroad, were instrumental in the rise of the reform movement in the Philippines. Their exposure to new ideas and experiences led them to question the status quo and advocate for change.

Outlines

00:00

🌏 19th Century Philippines and Global Changes

The first paragraph introduces the historical context of the Philippines during the 19th century, a period marked by significant global transformations. It discusses the impact of the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and the changes in transportation and communication, particularly the galleon trade and the opening of the Suez Canal. The paragraph also highlights the economic prosperity in the Philippines due to these changes, the introduction of modern agriculture, improved transportation and communication, the emergence of a middle class, and the opportunity for Filipinos to study in Europe. Furthermore, it touches on the political upheavals such as the French and American Revolutions, which influenced the Philippines' economic and political situation, including the abolition of the guardian trade system and the development of agricultural land. The social stratification during Spanish colonization is also outlined, with a focus on the different classes and their privileges.

05:02

📚 Education and Reform Movements in Spanish Philippines

The second paragraph delves into the educational system during the Spanish era in the Philippines, emphasizing its limitations such as the focus on religion, lack of academic freedom, racial discrimination, and a restricted curriculum. The opening of the Suez Canal is noted as a catalyst for middle-class families to send their children to study in Spain, where they gained knowledge and began to question Spanish rule. This paragraph also sets the stage for the birth of national hero Jose Rizal in 1861, suggesting that the reform movements and the quest for education were instrumental in shaping the thoughts and actions of the Filipino intelligentsia of the time.

Keywords

💡19th Century

The 19th century is the period from 1801 to 1900, which is often characterized by significant cultural, political, and technological changes. In the context of the video, it is the age in which Rizal grew up and during which the Philippines experienced major transformations, including the birth of modern life and the emergence of new nations and states.

💡Rizal

Rizal refers to José Rizal, a Filipino nationalist and revolutionary who is considered one of the leading figures of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. His upbringing in the 19th century and his experiences are central to understanding the video's theme of social and political change in the Philippines.

💡Enlightenment

The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement in Europe during the 18th century that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority. In the video, it is mentioned as the period that gave birth to different revolutions, including those that had a profound impact on the Philippines and the world.

💡Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution refers to the period of significant technological, economic, and social change during the 18th and 19th centuries, characterized by the shift from manual labor to machine production. In the video, it is described as a major change affecting man and society, with profound effects on the economy of the Philippines.

💡Galleon Trade

The Galleon Trade was a system of trade between the Philippines and Acapulco, Mexico, facilitated by Spanish galleon ships. It was a key part of the Spanish Empire's economic activity in the Pacific. The video mentions this trade route and how it was impacted by the opening of the Suez Canal.

💡Suez Canal

The Suez Canal is a man-made waterway in Egypt that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, significantly reducing the travel distance for trade between Europe and Asia. The video discusses how the opening of the canal led to economic changes and possibilities for the Philippines.

💡Principalias

Principalias were the local elite class of landowners in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. They were part of the social stratification system and often benefited from agricultural developments. The video mentions that they were among the few who benefited from the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution.

💡Social Stratification

Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of social classes within a society. In the context of the video, it describes the different classes in the Philippines during Spanish colonization, including Peninsulares, Insulares, Creoles, Illustrados, and the lower class of natives.

💡Abolition of Guardian Trade

The abolition of the guardian trade system was a significant economic reform in the Philippines that opened up trade beyond just Spain, allowing the Philippines to engage in world trade. The video mentions this as one of the impacts of the economic and political situation changes in the Philippines.

💡Reform Movement

The Reform Movement in the Philippines was a push for political and social changes against Spanish colonial rule. The video discusses how the opening of the Suez Canal and the exposure of Filipinos to European education contributed to the rise of this movement.

💡Illustrados

Illustrados were the well-educated Filipinos, often from the middle class, who were able to study in exclusive schools in Manila and abroad. The video mentions Rizal's family as belonging to this class, which played a significant role in the push for reforms and independence.

Highlights

The Philippines in the 19th century experienced vast changes in the context of Europe and Spain.

Rizal grew up in an age of enlightenment and significant revolutions that affected global society.

The 19th century marked the birth of modern life and many nations, characterized by major societal changes.

The Industrial Revolution led to a transformation in production, transportation, and communication through mechanization.

The galleon trade was a significant method of transporting goods between Acapulco, Mexico, and the Philippines.

The opening of the Suez Canal facilitated faster trade routes and economic opportunities for the Philippines.

Economic prosperity in the Philippines was driven by modern agriculture, improved transportation, and the emergence of a middle class.

The French Revolution influenced the political landscape of the 19th century, leading to radical changes.

The American Revolution inspired the idea that colonized people could achieve independence.

The abolition of the guardian trade system opened the Philippines to global trade and agricultural development.

Agricultural development benefited the principalia and mestizos, but not all social classes equally.

Social stratification in the Philippines during Spanish colonization included peninsulares, insulares, creoles, and natives.

Rizal's family belonged to the middle class, known as ilustrados, with access to quality education.

The Spanish educational system emphasized religion and had limitations such as racial discrimination and a limited curriculum.

The opening of the Suez Canal provided opportunities for middle-class Filipinos to study in Spain, broadening their perspectives.

The rise of the reform movement and the birth of Jose Rizal in 1861 marked a significant period in Philippine history.

Transcripts

hello everyone today we're going to talk

about the philippines in the 19th

century as results context

rizal grew up in the 19th century

an age of vast changes in europe

spain and even in the philippines

during this period the glory and power

of spain had spread in many parts of the

globe

we cannot fully perceive results

thoughts without learning the social and

political surroundings of the 19th

century

19th century was considered as the birth

of modern life as well as the birth of

many nations and states around the globe

it is the period of major changes that

affects man and society

it was considered as the age of

enlightenment this period gave birth to

the different revolution that took place

and gave a huge change to the

philippians and even to the world

the industrial revolution

this generally applied to extraordinary

transformation in the method of

production transportation and

communication through the substitution

of the manual labor to machines

during the 19th century we all know the

galleon trade

the galleon is the steam ship they use

to trade products from acapulco mexico

that travels along pacific ocean to the

philippines

this is the route of the galleon

from acapulco passing pacific ocean

going to the philippines and from

philippines we also export products to

acapulco and spain but it will take

months and months to import and export

products

not until the opening of swiss canal

swiss canal is a man-made canal found in

egypt

it is the shorter channel of importation

in exportation that leads to a lot of

possibilities and change to our country

these are the effects to the economy of

the philippines in the industrial

revolution

life prospered due to the vigorous

economic activity in the colony

modern methods of agriculture were

introduced

the means of transportation and

communication improved emergence of the

middle class

more filipinos able to study in europe

and acquired material wealth and

improved social life

and as effect of industrialization this

led to french revolution

french revolution changes the political

tone of that period

it is the period of political and social

upheaval and radical change in history

with a governmental structure was

transformed to absolute monarchy

and lastly the american revolution

it is the political upheaval during the

last half of the 18th century

the american revolution had given the

world in the 19th century the idea that

colonized people can give their

independence from their colonizer

from these different revolutions the

economic and political situation of the

philippines greatly affected

one of this is the abolition of guardian

trade for it does not only limit the

exchange of product from philippines to

spain but it opens the philippines to

the world trade

and the development of agricultural land

prosper

but it doesn't only give a positive

impact

it also have its negative

for the principalias and mestizos were

the only ones benefited from the

agricultural development

if we will try to look at the social

stratification of the philippines during

the spanish colonization we have here

first is the peninsulares

or the spaniards were born in spain and

settled in the country

they were considered the highest class

in the society and occupied the highest

position in the government

next class the peninsulares are the

insulares

or

insulares are spaniards born in the

philippines they also enjoy the luxuries

in the philippines

the third class are the creoles

creoles are the mixtures of spanish and

native filipinos

under the crayolas was the illustrators

or the well-educated filipinos in the

principalia or the land owner

the lower class or the lowest class was

the natives or it was known to be the

india's

amidst all the social political economic

reforms rizal's family belonged to the

middle class and was considered as

illustratos or the affluence

the children were able to study in

exclusive school in manila and even

abroad

the educational system during spanish

time has its own defects

for it only emphasize on religion

the absence of academic freedom

racial discrimination and limited

curriculum as what have been mentioned

the opening of swedish canal also opened

the opportunity for the middle class

family to send their children to study

in spain

and there's a lot of filipino wanted to

study in spain

in as they gain knowledge and education

it opened their minds

that what the spaniards are doing is not

right in this

rise

of the reform movement

in the birth

of our hero jose rizal in 1861