G-Ann

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Rizal and His Times (19th Century)

CHAPTER I

JOSE RIZAL AND HIS TIMES (19TH CENTURY)

Objectives: At the end of this topic, the students are expected to:

1. Understand social context of Rizal’s time both in the global and local levels,

2. Know the socio-political factors that contributed to the growth of national consciousness during Rizal’s time,

3. Identify the sources of discontent of the Filipinos against the Spaniards and friars during the 19thcentury,

4. Appreciate the influence of the social context to the life and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal

5. Answer the guide questions correctly and apply the key concepts in the exercises of the chapter.

Key Concepts

Industrial Revolution

French Revolution

American Revolution

Suez Canal

Influx of Liberal Ideas

Twilight of Spanish Rule in 19th Century

Tribute

Encomienda

Polo

Frailocracy

Racial Discrimination

Content

It is difficult to say when Filipinos began to think of themselves as Filipinos and not simply as Tagalogs, Ilokanos or Visayans. Probably the preliminary stage in the development of national consciousness was reached when indios realized that they have something in common, that is, a common grievance against the Spaniards (De la Costa 1965: 213). Our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was the first to think the indios as one nation when he first used the word “Filipino” to refer to all inhabitants in the country whether they are of Spanish or Filipino blood. During the Spanish period, the native inhabitants were called “Indios” while only the inhabitants with Spanish blood (peninsulares, insulares or mestizos) were regarded as Filipinos. Rizal could not have thought of one people and one nation which include all people in archipelago without the influence of the social milieu of his time. Rizal was born and grew up in the 19th century, a period of massive changes in Europe, Spain and in the Philippines. During this era, the glory and power of...