The Philippines had been colonized by Spain for 300 years. Within three centuries, the Spaniards had greatly influenced the country. Though indirect, major events in the West, particularly in Europe, had affected Spain. Because of this, there was a huge impact and major changes in the Philippines, as Spain’s colony.
At around 18th and 19th century, changes in the world were precipitated by three great revolutions in Europe and in America. The industrial revolution is basically an economic revolution which started with the invention of steam engine and resulted to the use of machinery in the manufacturing sector in the cities of Europe. It has changed the economy of Europe from feudalism—an economic system which relied on land and agriculture–to capitalism which relied on machinery and wage labor. The Industrial Revolution that started in Europe had repercussions to the Philippine economy. The economic opportunities created by the Industrial Revolution had encouraged Spain in 1834 to open the Philippine economy to world commerce. As a result, new cities and ports were built. Foreign firms increased rapidly. Foreigners were allowed to engage in manufacturing and agriculture. These effects in the economy in the Philippines had been favorable to the country. There were more opportunities for the Indios to take and it had definitely paved the way for a better trading industry in the country.
The French Revolution resulted to the anarchy and political disturbance in Spain, which caused a turbulent century of political disturbances during this era. Because of this political turmoil in the motherland, the global power of the “Siglo de Oro of Spain in the sixteenth century as the mistress of the world with extensive territories had waned abroad in the nineteenth century. Her colonies had gained momentum for independence owing to the cracks in political leadership in the motherland. The divided power of Spain was triggered by successive change of regimes due to the democratic aspiration created by the French Revolution. This aspiration had inspired colonies under Spain and Portugal to revolt in order to gain independence from their colonial masters in the 19th century.
The American Revolution, though not directly affecting the local economy and politics of the Philippines in the nineteenth century, had important repercussions to democratic aspirations of the Filipino reformist led by Rizal during this period. The American Revolution had given the world in the 19th century the idea that colonized people can gain their independence from their colonizers. Indirectly, the American Revolution had in a way inspired Filipino reformists like Rizal to aspire for freedom and independence.
In addition to the three great revolutions, the weakening of the grip of the Catholic Church of the growing secularalized society of Europe and Spain has implications to the Philippines. Because of the successful evangelization to Christianity, the declining influence of the Catholic Church in Europe and Spain has little effect, however, to the control and power of the local Church in the Philippines. Despite the anti-clericalism in Spain, the power of the friars in the Philippines in the 19th century did not decline; instead, it became consolidated after the weakening of civil authority owing to constant change in political leadership. This means that Filipinos turned more and more to the friars for moral and political guidance as Spanish civil officials in the colony became more corrupt and immoral.
In addition to the religious influences in the Philippines, the Society of Jesus was able to pave the way for the fortunate Filipinos to be educated. As a result of the Jesuit education, the eyes of the Filipino students were opened to a wider perspective and their sense of patriotism was greatly developed. This pushed the Ilustrados to question the Spanish colonization and further ended to different reforms again the Spaniards.
