British Occupation of Philippines and Expulsion of the Spaniards

PHILIPPINE HISTORY
Chapter 8
1. Explain how the British occupation of the country opened the eyes of the people in certain regions to the idea of freedom and expulsion of the Spaniards?

During this period, the Filipinos discovered how weak Spain was when it comes to armory when the British defeated them. Eventually, Archbishop Manuel Rojo surrendered Manila and Cavite thus exposing them furthermore as to how vulnerable they were.

2. Why did the economic plans of Governor-General Basco fail?

His plans failed because of his establishment of government monopolies. These monopolies benefited only the government and not the people. There was much corruption because the government was the only one who can transact business and having the exclusive right to purchase, classify and sell all the products locally or even abroad made the people poorer.

3. Why were the Spanish authorities in the Philippines opposed to the education of the Filipinos?
The Spanish authorities opposed the education of the Filipinos because as they feared it, Filipinos will come to learn about their rights of equality.

4. Explain how the middle class arose. Who composed the middle class?
In 1834 the King of Spain opened Manila to foreign traders, thus starting the development of manufacturing and agriculture in the country. Many crops and other products from different regions were produced. Many ports were also opened including the introduction of the first modern machinery – called the sugar refinery. This started to improve the lives of the inquilinos or tenants in the haciendas as their families started to acquire wealth. They became the middle class, a group below the aristocratic Spanish officials and religious orders but higher or above the poor and uneducated Indios.