Lesson 1: Rizal and His Time (Europe in the 19th century)

5 important developments in 19th century

1. Nations struggle for nationalism

2. Men fight for democracy

3. Industrial revolution

4. Science as the servant of man

5. Modern imperialism

Examples of historical events that show nations struggle for nationalism

1. French revolution

2. Greek independence from Turks (1828)

3. Paris (February 1848)

4. Prague barricades (June 1848)

5. Berlin (1848)

Themes of nations struggle for nationalism

• Widespread opposition to ancient regimes

• a bid for greater political participation and reforms

• The assertion of self determination and the attempt to set up independent nation-states

Example of historical events that show men fighting for democracy

1. Abolition of slavery

2. Emancipation of serfs in Russia

Invention of steam engine and mechanization of labor

Inventions during industrial revolution, science as servant of man, and modern imperialism

Downfall of Spain

• Spain lost much of its global power due to defeats in European wars and/in American Phase of the Seven Years War in Europe

Absolutism

A political system where all power is held by a monarch (king/queen)

• King rules by divine right (authority comes from God)

• People have little to no political rights

• Authority is centralized; no checks and balances

Liberalism

A political philosophy advocating freedom, rights, and reforms

• Constitutions limit rulers’ power

• Citizens have basic rights (freedom of speech, press, religion)

• Push for representation and democracy

Cadiz Constitution of 1812

A liberal document that introduced constitutional monarchy

Ferdinand VII

He abolished the liberal Cadiz Constitution of 1812 and restored absolute monarchy

With French help, he restored absolutism again in 1823 and executed Riego

Major Rafael del Riego

Led a military revolt against Ferdinand VII

He demanded the restoration of the Cadiz Constitution of 1812 (liberal government)

Pope Pius IX

Warned against liberalism

The role of church

• Pope Pius IX warned against liberalism

• The Spanish friars were the only element of stability and continuity in the colony

Philippines in the 19th century

1. Economic developments

2. Political developments

3. Cultural developments

4. Religious developments

Economic developments

• Growth of export economy

• Questioning of friar rights to the haciendas

• Material progress set the stage for cultural and social changes: liberalism

Political developments

• Instability of colonial administration effect:

  1. Periodic shifts in policies

  2. Periodic change of colonial officials

  3. Hampered economic and political development

• Corrupt bureaucracy

• Opening of Suez canal

Cultural developments

• Rapid spread of education from about 1860

• Rise of ilustrado class

• Role of the Jesuits

• Role of ideas

• Experience of Filipino students in Spain

• Interest in the Filipino past

Religious development

• Spanish history of the Philippines begins and ends with friars

• Monastic supremacy: religion as a means of government

• 2 qualities:

  1. Unshakeable devotion to Spain

  2. Influence on the natives

• Inevitably became the main target of Filipino nationalism

• The friar is the great antagonist of the first Filipino

• Role of Filipino Clergy

• Dispute between friars and seculars: from ecclesiastical controversy to assertion of Filipino Equality

• Fr. Jose Burgos: First articulation of national feeling and sense of national identity

Friar

The great antagonist of the first Filipino

Monastic supremacy

Religion as means of government

2 qualities of monastic supremacy

1. Unshakeable devotion to Spain

2. influence on natives

Fr. Jose Burgos

First articulation of national feeling and sense of national identity

Had it not been for the events of 1872, Rizal would have been a Jesuit!

Stated by Jose Rizal