The Struggle for Independence in Puerto Rico Essay Example

was found that the initial political parties on the Island were established in 1869 by individuals with a common goal of achieving independence.

According to Figueroa (2005), the Moret law, which granted freedom to slaves, was approved in 1870. This law applied to slaves born after September 17, 1868, as well as those who were 60 years old or older. Its purpose was to eradicate slavery on the Island of Puerto Rico and it was advocated by Julio Vizcarrondo, Luis Padial, and Roman Baldorioty (Figueroa, 2005). Additionally, Tagliaferro (2004) mentions that in November of the same year, the Liberal Reformist Party was established.

Two factions were formed as a result, with the autonomist devolution away from Spanish management. These included the Liberal Reformist Party, led by Pedro Geronimo Goico, Nicolas Aguayo, Roman Baldorioty de Castro, and Jose Julian Acosta. Additionally, there was the traditionalist assimilation in the political party system of Spain, known as the Liberal-Conservative party, organized by Pablo Ulibarri, Jose Fernandez, and Francisco.

These two factions, the first political organizations ever established in Puerto Rico, had leaders who shared a common objective of rebelling against colonial governments and attaining independence for the island. They were united in their opposition to slavery and mistreatment of citizens, demanding governmental reform. Researchers have noted that in 1873 (Tagliaferro, 2004), the Spanish monarchy's constitution was replaced by a republican government, ultimately leading to the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico by the Spanish crown. The leaders of Puerto Rico's abolitionist movement paved the way for the arduous struggle to end slavery on the island.

In 1868, the National Assembly of the Spanish government abolished slavery in Puerto Rico. The owners were

compensated with thirty-five million pesetas for each slave, and the slaves were required to continue working for three more years. From 1860 to 1898, Puerto Rico experienced a period of revolution, colonial change, political party formation, abolition of slavery, and limited autonomy under Spanish rule (Figueroa, 2005). Despite efforts towards independence, Puerto Rico remains the only territory under Spanish colonial rule in the Americas that did not gain independence. During the nineteenth century, geopolitical and internal dynamics brought significant economic, social and political reforms to the island and paved the way for improvements in national institutions and its political system.

The period of separatism in Puerto Rico led to the exile or imprisonment of supporters of Puerto Rican independence and advocates for liberal changes under Spanish rule. This period also saw a severe economic crisis in Puerto Rico, as the mercantilist Spain imposed increasingly high taxes and tariffs on exported and imported products. These funds were mainly required by the Spanish Crown to subsidize its troops in regaining control over the Dominican Republic. The lack of economic and political freedom, along with continued repression, fueled the rebellion movement of 1868 on the island of Puerto Rico (Tagliaferro, 2004).

The revolution statement was widely spread across the island as local dissident groups organized and formed secret cells for the revolutionary committee. These cells included members from various sectors of society, such as merchants, landowners, peasants, slaves, and professionals. The colonial government educated these community members about the struggle for independence and the abolition of slavery.

References

• Figueroa, L. A. (2005). Sugar, slavery, ; freedom in nineteenth-century Puerto Rico. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press.
• Francis, J. M. (2005). Iberia and
  

the Americas: Culture, politics, and history : a multidisciplinary encyclopedia.

Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO.