The Cavite Mutiny: Toward a Definitive History

Textbook accounts of the 1872 revolt in Cavite generally see it as a mutiny of Filipino soldiers and arsenal workers over local grievances, often portraying it as instigated by the friars with the intention of eliminating the priests and lawyers agitating for reforms. This article, basing itself principally on the extensive account sent by Governor Izquierdo to the Overseas Minister, accepts his characterization of the revolt as a frustrated separatist revolution, while rejecting his conclusions as to the instigators of the revolt. Rather, it points to the real authors who escaped execution because of their Masonic ties to Izquierdo.