1. Creolism and the Liberal Nineteenth Century

This chapter situates the life of Jose Rizal. First, it examines the origins of Philippine liberalism in the creole intellectuals of the late eighteenth century/early nineteenth century. It explains how these creoles, inspired by the French Revolution and other liberal movements in Europe, articulated the broad contours of the propaganda movement that Rizal would lead in the nineteenth century. Second, it provides an overview of the political and economic changes in the Philippines during the late nineteenth century. It was a period of economic growth and political stagnation, creating a revolutionary atmosphere that would form not only the ideas of Rizal but also the Philippine Revolution of 1896. It ends with a brief biography of Rizal.