The Challenges and Responses of the Nineteenth Century PhilippinesThe Challenges and Responses of the Nineteenth Century PhilippinesThe 19th Century was a period of growth and improvement. Like a flower in spring, Philippine civilization was budding and it was at this century we first started adapting to modernization. This opened the gateways to ideas of democracy and nationalism which led to the rise of an ambitious, more nationalistic Filipino middleclass, consisting of educated native Filipinos, Philippine-born Spaniards and creoles, Spanish mestizos and an economically entrenched Chinese mestizo community. Nationalism became a national goal because if the Filipinos could have a spirit of oneness and believe they share a common set of traditions, culture and ideals then they become aware what makes them distinct from other groups and would do anything to serve and protect it. They would become patriotic. With the growth of nationalism came the struggle for democracy, for human rights and fundamental freedom. Nationalism and democracy were the political ideals that Century.
One of the highlights for me during the 19th Century was the Industrial Revolution because it was a gateway to so many opportunities. It was during this time there was a transition from handwork to machine work, establishment of many factories, wealth of the nation increased immensely and the standard of living improved but the most significant event that came about during this period was the stimulation of Nationalism. Modern means of transportation brought the people of the nation closer and realized their common problems and aspirations. The growth of liberalism was fostered. Liberals, socialists, communist and even the Catholic Church disagreed on how to remedy the evils of that time and people became interested in Science and Medicine. Lastly, Individualism, the cornerstone of the 19th Century came hand in hand with Nationalism and Industrialism. It underlies the belief that every human life is sacred.
The Declaration of Independence states:
“We the People of the United States hold these truths to be self-evident and for this we are content; that all men are created equal; that among these are derived the blessings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that among these are derived the protection and the defense of property, and that among these are derived the protection and the defense of peace and quiet.”
The Declaration says:
“The right of every Man, female or matron to vote is recognized by every State and Territory and their respective local ordinances, constitutions and laws, and the right of every citizen to vote is guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America. Those laws shall be the supreme law: They shall not be construed to deny the right to vote, suppress the vote or to interfere with the will of the people.”
The Founding Fathers also declared:
“We hold these truths to be true and that every person is created equal; and that each of these truths must be faithfully followed.
“That every Man in all ages has the right to vote and to possess Arms, shall be bound, shall have the Force necessary to secure his Life and Liberty, shall be entitled to all Immunities; and that every Man shall have the right to secure and dispose of his own Life, Liberty and Property, to the exclusion of all other Rights.”
The Declaration of Independence also states:
“The right against self-incrimination, personal slavery, under the jurisdiction of any State, is a Federal right, to all the United States. It shall not be denied to any State, Japanese Territory, Government or Native American Indian or any Indian person who is not duly authorized as a passenger and is found to have committed a felony.”
The Declaration of Independence also states:
“Every Man in all ages is immune from all the jurisdiction or restraint of the government, authority or powers of the United States under the laws and peace of the land, and property in which he is situated. He shall not be deprived of Life or property except by Oath or affirmation made pursuant to his person, power or authority, and that he also shall have the right to petition the Government of the United States for a Bill of Rights to enforce the laws of the United States.”
In 1842, the Supreme Judicial Court in Massachusetts ruled that all women have the right to vote. It was the case that ultimately led the Court to overturn Citizens United, because it gave women a vote, while preventing women from actually electing their own representatives. That position was overturned, on appeal, but the reasoning was that women who voted had not been elected at all due to the fact that they were not representatives of their biological sex. In 1963, the First Presidency of the Church reaffirmed that womanhood was a social right, and for women to be elected to office over men. Although that decision had been overturned in 1986, in 1994, in 2001, in 2000, in 2010, in 2012, and 2015, in 2013 and 2016, the Church voted down that ruling as well.
What Is Voting?
Vote does not mean, “vote for the president of the United States” as the Church claims or the term means. However, many people in the early 1800s began thinking about voting because of a misconception that voting was voluntary and thus not obligatory. A number of people did choose to work and thus became citizens. Many people in the United States are eligible to vote, so this is not necessarily a decision of any one person. However, many people are not very honest or trustworthy people, so this does not mean any official vote. In fact, voting