LIFE AND WORKS OF JOSE RIZAL

SATURDAYS 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Prepared by: Riza M. Gabaya

The 19th Century World of Jose Rizal

To fully comprehend the role of Dr. Rizal played in the shaping of the Filipino nationalism, there is a need for us
to look into the developments in the 19th century. This is essential in understanding his ideology and outlook as an
individual. Important developments during the said century are as follows: growth and development of nationalism; rise
and gradual spread of liberalism and democracy; industrial revolution; the upsurge of western imperialism; triumph of
science and technology; and optimism and confidence in progress (Capino et al., 1977).

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONALISM

Nationalism – is a sense of loyalty or psychological attachment members of a nation share, based on a common language,
history, and desire for independence (Jackson & Jackson, 2000).

- is a feeling that drives a people together as a nation.

- is love of country expressed in devotion to and advocacy of national interest and independence.
- While nationalism can foster national unity, progress, and independence, it also has it negative side. The
ideas of national superiority and national mission can lead to aggressive crusades and counter-crusades.
Nationalism can also stress differences among peoples.
- The development of nationalism in the Philippines, however, was very slow. Loyalty to the nation began
only after the unjust execution of Fathers Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora on February 17, 1872.

French Revolution and American Revolution

Both revolutions gave birth to the idea that an individual’s loyalty has to be his nation not to the king. The
American Revolution gave birth to the United States of America. On the other hand, the French Revolution led to the
overthrowing of the absolute rule of the Bourbon Dynasty and the abolition of the feudal system.
The Industrial Revolution
One of the most crucial developments in the 19th century was the Industrial revolution (Stearns et al, 1991). The
Industrial revolution refers to the transformation of manufacturing brought about by the invention and use of machines.
This development started in England and later on spread into Belgium, France, Germany, and even in the United States.
The invention of machines and their use in manufacturing brought about significant changes in people’s lives.
Some of the positive effects brought about by this development include the following:
 The rise of the factory system;
 Mass production of essential and non-essential goods;
 Improvement of people’s standard of living;
 Greater urbanization of society;
 Beginnings of specialization or division of labor;
 Invention of labor-saving devices;
 The beginnings of industrial capitalism;
 Fostering of liberalism and nationalism; and
 Encouragement of people’s mobility

On the other hand, there were negative effects of Industrial Revolution to people. Some of the evils associated with the
Industrial Revolution are as follows:
 Widening the gap between the rich and the poor;
 Unending economic warfare between labor and capital;
 Pollution and other environmental problems;
 Beginning of child and women labor; and
 Intensification of imperialistic rivalry between and among industrialized countries.
THE UPSURGE OF WESTERN IMPERIALISM
In the 19th century, the Industrializing West entered the third and most dynamic phase of its centuries-old
expansion into non-Western lands. In doing so, thee Western nations profitably subordinated those lands to their
economic interest, sent forth millions of emigrants, and political influence in Asia and vast political empires in Africa. The
reasons for this culminating surge were many, but the economic thrust of robust industrial capitalism, an ever-growing
lead in technology, and the competitive pressures of European nationalism were particularly important.

Western expansion had far-reaching consequences. For the first time in human history, the world became in many ways
a single unit. Moreover, European expansion diffused the ideas and techniques of a highly developed civilization. Yet the
West relied on force to conquer and rule, and treated non-Western peoples as racial inferiors. Thus, non-Western elites,
armed with Western doctrines, gradually responded to Western challenge. They launched a national, anti-imperialist
struggle for dignity, genuine independence, and modernization. Colonized peoples, therefore, started to assert their right
to self-determination or the right to choose the kind of government under which they would live.

Reference:

Garcia, C.D. & C.B. Cruz (2005). Rizal and the Development of Filipino Nationalism: A Textbook on the Life, Works, and
Writings of our National Hero. Mandaluyong City: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp. pp. 13-19.