The document discusses the political, economic, and social aspects that shaped the Philippines during the 19th century under Spanish colonial rule. This includes the impact of the Bourbon Reforms, the introduction of the Cadiz Constitution, the end of the Galleon trade, the opening of the Suez Canal, the rise of the Chinese mestizos and inquilinos social classes. Overall, these changes introduced ideas of liberalism, nationalism and calls for more rights and representation among Filipinos during Rizal's time in the late 19th century.

1. 19th Century
Philippines as Rizal’s
Context

3. Political Aspect
Impact of the Bourbon Reforms
• This political reform sets the
economic and political legislation
promulgated by the Spanish crown
under various kings like King Philip V
(1700-1746), King Ferdinand VI
(1746-1759), King Charles III (1759-
1788) and Charles IV (1788-1800).

4. • It pursued the state supremacy over
the Catholic church, resulting to the
suppressing of Jesuits in 1767 as well
as ecclesiastical privileges.
• It gave deep consequences of colonial
policy innovations in areas such as
Mexico and Philippines that was why it
gave also the Philippine natives the
idea that colonization could be done
without much intervention from
Catholic church.

5. 2. Cadiz Constitution/Spanish
Constitution of 1812
• It was a liberal constitution
promulgated by the 300 deputies from
Spanish America and Philippines on
March 18-19, 1812 at Cadiz Port,
Mediterranean to end the abuse of
conservative ideas in Spain.
• In Manila, an election held to name
the Filipino delegate who will
represent the Philippines, and it was
Ventura Delos Reyes.

6. • It declares “sovereignty resides the
nation, which the exclusive right to
establish its fundamental laws.”
• It established:
-universal male suffrage
-constitutional monarchy
-freedom of press, land reform,
free enterprise
-allowing colonies to have
representatives in Spanish Cortes

7. • It was declared invalid by King
Fernando VII and restored
“Absolutism.”
• This constitution was not been
implemented in the Philippines
(supposedly in 1815) but resulted in
revised system of Spanish Government
in the Philippines like the abolition of
Galleon Trade, converting mercantilism
to free-trade and Ilocos rebellion and
advent of liberalism.

8. Economic Aspect
1. End of Galleon Trade
• Longest economic trading route through
a Galleon ships going back and forth
between Manila, Cebu and Acapulco,
Mexico (1565-1815).
• Philippines sent mangoes, tamarinds,
rice, carabaos, Chinese tea textiles,
Tuba (coconut wine) to Mexico, while
guava, avocado, papaya, pineapple etc.
were sent by Mexico to the Philippines.

9. • This economic transaction was ended
on September 14, 1815 when Mexico
gained its independence from Spain
and it was abolished because of the
efforts of Valentin Delos Santos as
representative in Spanish Cortes
(1810-1813).
• Filipinos before, wanted to end this
economic policy because of its abusive
system for the country.

10. 2. Opening of Suez Canal
• It was an artificial way that connects
the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea
in Egypt that was officially opened on
November 17, 1869 by the leadership
of Ferdinand de Lesseps.
• It decreased the travel time of
Philippines to Spain from 3 months to
32-40 days.

11. • It furthered the importation of
liberal books, newspapers and
magazines from Europe and America.
Through this, the European ideologies
and philosophies went to the
Philippines and influenced several
Filipino liberals to fight for their civil
rights.

12. Social Aspect
1. Rise of Chinese Mestizos
This was s new social class in the
Philippines during 19th century who
developed the commercial agriculture
and owned several haciendas of sugar,
coffee and hemp.

13. • Later, they became the education and
finance leaders because of non-
existence of Spanish Mestizos
ascended to position of power in
Philippine society.

14. 2. Rise of Inquilinos
• They were tenants in the haciendas
owned by Spanish friars and their
families began to accumulate wealth
through farming and production.
• Their rise started when the country
required intense cultivation of land
for mass productions after the end of
Galleon trade and the opening of Suez
Canal.

15. • Aside from the mentioned situations
during Rizal’s time, there were many evil
scenarios were happening:
-instability of colonial administration
-corrupt officialdom
-no Philippine representative in
Spanish cortes
-no equality before the law
-racial discrimination
-frailocracy
-forced labor

16. “Wala nang pinakamagandang paksa
kaysa sa pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa.”
-Jose Rizal, Barcelona 1882 (“Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa”)

17. Thank you!
Yosef Eric C. Hipolito,LPT, MA
Bachelor of Arts in History
yosefhipolito19@gmail.com