The Spanish Colonial System in the Philippines:

Motives:

Religious: Patronato Real; convert the natives in order to save their souls
Economic: control of the "Spice Trade" meant more gold (mercantilism: doctrine of
bullionism)

Initial Native Responses:

Resistance: Lapu-lapu, Lakandula, Sulayman, etc.

Accomodation: the chieftains became the new local ruling elite known as the Principalia,
from whose ranks came the local government officials

Pre-19th C. Conditions in the Philippines and the Nature of Spanish Colonialism : Ist
Stage: 1565 - 1770

outpost; frontier colony

stepping stone towards China and the rest of Asia

base of operation for the building of a Pacific Empire

Spanish presence was limited to coastal areas, interiors and uplands were spared

mainly a missionary field

Native Responses: Sporadic Uprisings; restricted sense of nationhood

the term "Filipino" referred only to Philippine-born Spaniards, also known as Insulares,
while the natives were called "Indios"

18th & 19th Century Global and Local Developments: 2nd Stage: 1770 - 1898
Global Scene:

Rise of Capitalism

Expansion of Trade and Commerce

Scientific and Intellectual Revolution

advancement in Agriculture and increased demand for agricultural products

Industrialization

Liberalism and Political Upheavals: French Revolution, American Revolution and other
Independence Movements ( Latin America )

Impact on the Philippines: Economic Reforms in 1770s: Change from Hapsburg Kings to
Bourbon Kings; meant to transform the Philippines into an economic asset of Spain

Tobacco Monopoly, Royal Company of the Philippines: therefore: intensification of

economic colonialism in the Philippines

Opening of the Philippines to World Trade

1834 = official opening of the Philippines to world trade; brought in the machinery and the
consumer goods from the industrialized economies of the West; the Philippines became a
producer and exporter of agricultural products (commercialized agriculture) and a market for
Western products and technology....... Thus, the Philippines was linked to the global economic
system
1869: the Suez Canal was opened; shortened travel distance with Europe
Local Scene:

converted the Philippines into an economic asset

intensification of colonization

deeper penetration of the archipelago

evolution of the term "Filipino" which came to include the "Mestizo," who were rising in
number, & mostly of Chinese lineage, but with Hispanized culture : result of inter-racial
marriages

Rise of the Filipino "Burgis" (middle class) : occupied positions of influence in key sectors
of colonial society:

1. Business: Inquilinos (lease-holders engaged in commercial agriculture: sugar);

Middlemen (Chinese Mestizos engaged in buy-&-sell of agri-exports); Retail-Wholesale
merchants
2. Local Government: Municipal (Pueblo) & Barangay officials
3. Military: NCOs in the Spanish army & navy were Filipinos who were racially
discriminated & distrusted, thus, were not allowed commissions as officers
4. Academe: Ilustrados (Professors, Students, & Professionals)
5. the Catholic Church: Secular or Diocesan Clergy..... GomBurZa, etc.

BUT: THE MIDDLE CLASS REPRESENTED ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF THE

POPULATION
HYPOTHESIS: Economic Progress (wealth) & Education, complicated with discontent, fueled
the NATIONALIST MOVEMENT before 1872, resulting in reprisals & persecutions......... ie,
Cavite Mutiny; Secularization Controversy
How did these events affect Rizal?

19th century economic progress would benefit Francisco Mercado, thus, Rizal & his
siblings would acquire opportunities for higher education
The political persecutions of 1872 would implicate Paciano, putting an end to his political
career, and paving the way for Rizal to take his place