Under Spanish rule, Puerto Rico had several governors. The governors were selected by the King of Spain. Ponce De Leon was one of the first governors selected by the King. Under the leadership of Ponce De Leon, the culture and political environment that existed in Spain was imposed on the island. The people of Puerto Rico had no other choice but to follow the order imposed by Spain. It was not until the nineteenth century that political conditions began to change on the island. Many small groups began to form political sects, and these in turn produced political parties and confrontations with Spanish rule.
The two major groups to form during the years 1869-1890 were Conservatives and the Liberals. Puerto Rico was fortunate because during this period Europe had experienced revolutionary outbreaks, thus inspiring Spain to give Puerto Rico formal voice for the first time. Many patriarchs such as Ramon Powers began to rise. The Intendencia de Hacienda de Puerto Rico was separated by the government. The political parties formed during this century were basically anti-Spanish. Even though they maintained the same cultural attitudes which were first introduced to them, their political attitudes were now more nationalistic. The Asimilista Party of 1837 wanted to maintain these cultural differences, while also giving equality to Puerto Ricans. The Autonomista Party of 1887 was formed by the revision of the Liberal Party. The spectrum of political parties changed according to the differences of opinions which their leaders had concerning the ever-changing political situations.
In 1897, the Queen of Spain signed the Autonomy Papers, which gave Puerto Rico the right to govern itself. Under the Autonomy Government, Puerto Rico had a Parliament consisting of two houses: The House of Representatives and the House of Administrators. The members of the House of Representatives were elected by the people. The House of Administrators was composed of members nominated by the General Governor, who represented Spain on the Island. The General Governor had supreme authority under the new regime, following the recommendation of the Council Ministers of Spain. The Governor had the authority to nominate the members of the Cabinet and the power to interpret the Spanish Laws on the Island. At the same time there were many revised parties formed from the existing major parties. These new political groups began to adopt a new philosophy and to restructure their government within the outline set up by the Autonomy Papers. The Liberal Party was reformed as the Autonomista Party; the Reformist Party was revised, and new parties such as the Popular and Republican were formed.
People who were dissatisfied with one political party structure became involved in the establishment of a new political party. These changes in participation were caused by the economic situation of the Island. The population was never united into two major parties, as we have been; they rather changed and developed new groups. Ever since 1808 Puerto Rico’s people have passed through a succession of such way stations, not one of which was regarded by them as the final goal in their political evolution.
The acquisition of Puerto Rico by the United States after the Spanish-American War was a drastic turning point; the Foraker Act of 1901, Puerto Rico’s first American constitution, drafted by Congress without consultation, proved to be a political setback. The Jones Act of 1917 repaired some of the damage done by its predecessor, but the right of Puerto Ricans to elect their own governor was not recognized until 1948. There still were many remnants of the old colonialism.
Under the present arrangement, the United States continues to operate the army, navy, air force, post office, customs, and various Federal agencies, such as the Soil Conservation Service in Puerto Rico. Excise taxes collected on goods manufactured in Puerto Rico and duties collected in Puerto Rican ports continue to be returned to the Puerto Rican treasury instead of being kept by the Federal Government. Puerto is eligible for Federal Grants in aid for roads, school lunches and housing on a basis of equality with various states. Such financial advantages, plus the fact that Puerto Rico remains within the economic structure of the United States and has free access to America’s markets and pool of capital, help to compensate for the Island’s lack of natural resources. Puerto Rico does not contribute to the Federal Treasury and has no vote in Congress, according to the old American principle of “No taxation without representation.” On the other hand, however, the Commonwealth continues to be represented in Congress by a Resident Commissioner who has a voice, but no vote. He can prepare legislation pertaining to Puerto Rico, and can argue for or against such legislation, but he cannot vote on it.
Puerto Ricans have been citizens of the United States since 1917, but only in a limited sense. They come and go freely within all the areas that are under the American flag. They enjoy all the civil rights and legal protection of the United States citizens. They lack, however, some of the political rights enjoyed by the citizens of the United States. They vote for their own officials in their own government, but as long as they remain in Puerto Rico they cannot vote for the President of the United States or for the members of Congress.
The people of Puerto Rico govern themselves under a constitution of their own drafting which was ratified by Congress and accepted by the Puerto Rican voters in a plebiscite. Neither the Congress nor the executive branch of the United States government can today veto a law by the Puerto Rican Legislature. In theory, Congress can and does pass laws pertaining to Puerto Rico without submitting them to formal acceptance by the Commonwealth; in practice that ability has been voluntarily curtailed on several occasions.
Puerto Rico’s political debate since the establishment of its Commonwealth status has centered largely on the question of whether that status is permanent or is merely another way station to something else. The Popular Democratic Party insists that as a result of its present arrangement, Puerto Rico has at last attained its final, ultimate status. They do not claim that it is perfect; they do insist that it is sufficiently flexible to permit adjustment and improvement. For instance, they agree that Congress can still pass laws pertaining to Puerto Rico without consulting the Puerto Ricans, but they also maintain that the same good working relation with Congress that led to the establishment of the Commonwealth status permits its eventual amendment to take care of that defect. On the other hand, the two minority parties, one for independence and the other for statehood, choose to differ with the philosophy and ideology of the Popular Democratic Party.
Political Parties in Puerto Rico Under the Spanish Rule: 1870-1900.
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Conservatives—Organized as a party in 1869 and consisted of opposed liberalizing reform in the colonial government. It gradually acquired the pejorative name of “Unconditional Spaniards.”
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Separatists—A very small group that separated form the Liberal Party and sought the complete independence of Puerto Rico.
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Liberals—Organized as a party in 1870 and desired the extension to Puerto Rico of the reforms of the Spanish Revolution of 1868. It was named the Reformist Liberal Party and developed two tendencies: (1) Traditionalist assimilation into the political party system of Spain, and (2) autonomist decentralization away from the Spanish control.
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Reformist Liberal Party—(1870) Formed and organized by liberals.
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Republican Autonomist—(1874) Monarchial Assimilist.
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Automonist—(1883-1885) Assimilist.
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Republican Autonomist—(1887-1897)
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United Autonomist Liberal Party—(1898-1899) Was known as the Historical, Orthodox or Pure Party. Various meetings were held in order to arrive at an accord between Puerto Rico and Spain.
Political Parties in Puerto Rico Under the American Rule: 1900-1980.
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Partido Federal—(1900) It wanted Puerto Rico to become one of the States in the United States.
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Partido Union de Puerto Rico—(1904) Reformation of the Federal Party of 1900.
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Partido Socialista—(1908) It wanted better conditions for the working class.
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Partido Nationalista Puertorrique–o—(1922) It wanted radical changes within the economy and social welfare programs.
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Partido Constitucional Historico o Republicano Puro—(1924) Formation of the Puerto Rican Alliance with the Unionist Party and Republican Party against the Socialist Party.
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Partido Liberal Puertorrique–o—(1929) Independence of Puerto Rico.It wanted to dissolve the alliance between Puerto and the United States.
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Partido Union Republicana—(1932) Reformation of the Partido Constitutional Historico. Powerful during the critical years of 1930-1940, during the national revolt.
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Partido Popular Democratico—(1940) During the 1936 election the Liberal Party became divided into two groups: Liberals and Populars. This party controlled the government from 1940 to 1956.
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Partido Independista—(1948) It wanted independence for Puerto Rico.
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Partido Estadista Republicano—(1952) It wanted Puerto Rico to become a state in the Union.
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Partido Comunista (Organization)—Castroite philosophy toward government and people. It does not participate in elections.
PUERTO RICANS AND THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
The political involvement of Puerto Ricans and other minorities in New Haven and throughout the United States is very small in comparison with their ratio to the entire population. Moreover, the political and cultural behavior of Puerto Rican adults is totally different from that of the younger Puerto Ricans.
Less than half of the Puerto Ricans have at any time taken advantage of their voting privileges in New Haven. In view of the highly politicalized atmosphere of the Island, the recent migrant’s tendency to refrain from political activity in New Haven deserves discussion. Some 80% of the eligible voters exercised their vote on the island in 1976, where as 45% did so on the continent. According to Junta Organization of New Haven, about 93% of the Spanish-speaking electorate in New Haven are ignorant of candidates and issues. Another reason is the process of the election; for example in Puerto Rico there is more excitement, parades, bands and the election is considered a feast day. In New Haven everything is quiet.
Yet as the Puerto Ricans become more settled residents, they are drawn into political participation. As of today about 20% of the Puerto Rican residents belong to political parties. Many of them feel that they are “Being Taken” when it comes to solving crucial problems in the community. Another reason the Puerto Ricans are not involved in the political life of New Haven is due to the adjustment to the American type of politics. Many Puerto Rican residents, whether they are new arrivals or not, are inclined to search for better economic conditions rather than to become a member of a political party. The majority of these immigrants are non-English speaking and are not able to join or participate in an election.
Many of the Puerto Ricans who do participate in political parties have strong ties with local agencies in supporting candidates of their choice. They receive information either by agency leaders or religious organizations.
The immigrants are more inclined to be members of religious organizations because they are accustomed to these organizations in Puerto Rico. Religion plays a major role in the family and political life. Many Catholic and Protestant Churches have special services in the vernacular for Spanish-speaking people. The priest or minister informs the people of the political, economic and social events which occur in New Haven.
Several organizations do exist in the City, among people who may have come from the same town in Puerto Rico, among people who may have the same occupation in New Haven, or some other such link. Some of the clubs or organizations have been in operation for over 30 years. The Puerto Ricans, in fact, may not become interested in organizations until a certain period of residence in the City has passed. When in the acculturation process, the Puerto Rican becomes aware of the need to strengthen his links with Puerto Rico via a home town or other insular club, he or she may join.
The local Puerto Rican agencies such as the Junta Organization, the Puerto Rican Cultural Association, and the Concerned Hispanic Citizens of New Haven, have supported local candidates during elections and have helped to bring about a large turnout of voters from the Puerto Rican sections of the city. These agencies do play a major role in the political choices Puerto Rican Americans make. The majority of the Puerto Rican families, directly or indirectly, have some affiliations and receive some information from these local agencies.
The Junta Organization has a weekly newspaper which reports on local problems and political activities occurring in the City and in Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican agencies have transmitted their goals to the role expectation of individuals who have a great affiliation with the agencies.
I have illustrated that there are Puerto Rican cultural differences in politics by discussing the culture, history and present day participation in the political system of New Haven, Connecticut by Puerto Ricans. This unit may be used as a tool to motivate students toward discussions concerning the Puerto Ricans’ views on many aspects of political life. In their discussions and study the students should find many of my points to be true for they can see them in many cases, first hand.