Question

PROVE OR CONTRADICT THE STATEMENT . Nationalism was not- existent in the Philippines before the 19th Century.

Answer 1

Answer:

Filipino nationalism refers to the awakening and support towards a political identity associated with modern Philippines leading to a wide-ranging campaign for political, social, and economic freedom in the Philippines. This gradually emerged out of various political and armed movements throughout most of the Spanish East Indies—albeit has long been fragmented and inconsistent with contemporary definitions of such nationalism—as a consequence of more than three centuries of Spanish rule. These movements are characterized by the upsurge of anti-colonialist sentiments and ideals which peaked in the late 19th century led mostly by the ilustrado or landed, educated elites, whether peninsulares, insulares, or native (Indio). This served as the backbone of the first nationalist revolution in Asia, the Philippine Revolution of 1896. The modern concept would later be fully actualized upon the inception of a Philippine state with its contemporary borders after being granted independence by the United States by the 1946 Treaty of Manila.

Answer 2

This is proof that nationalism did not exist in the Philippines before 19th century.

• It is true that before the nineteenth century, nationalism did not exist in the Philippines.
• This is due to the fact that the Philippines had previously been a collection of principalities rather than a sovereign state with a strong sense of national identity.
• In the nineteenth century, how did nationalism arrive in the Philippines?

1. The Philippines had been under Spanish rule for three centuries by the 1800s.

• What made this period of Filipino nationalism unique?

1. The Spanish-Filipino creole generation has grown to be the most numerous and powerful (holding government positions etc).

• Based on the following factors, this class, which was still looked down upon by the "peninsular" or ethnically pure Spaniards, was able to grow in size - and power:

1. Education 
2. Economic  
3. Secularisation of parishes

• This sentiment grew stronger until the Philippine Revolution of 1896, Asia's first nationalist revolution.

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