Social Structure during the time of Jose Rizal

The 19th century was a period of global growth and innovation, marked by industrialization, democracy, and nationalism. However, the Philippines remained primitive, with a government that ignored the people's suffering and an economy based on feudalistic systems. This led to widespread discontent, racial discrimination, and a call for reform among the educated middle class.

Spanish colonization introduced a land-holding system that made the Philippines feudalistic. Power and authority were concentrated in the hands of wealthy landowners, creating a significant gap between landlords and tenants. This resulted in a pyramidal social structure where Spaniards occupied the top.

The middle class, consisting of favored natives, mestizos, Philippine-born Spaniards, and creoles, held a secondary position. At the bottom were the landless 'indios,' who were degraded and enslaved by society. This master-slave relationship and rampant exploitation, coupled with taxes and mandatory contributions, kept the poor helpless and empowered the rich.