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Union of Puerto Rico

February 19, 2023

The Union of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Unión de Puerto Rico, UPR), also known as the Unionist Party[1] (Spanish: Partido Unionista,[1] PU), was a major political party in Puerto Rico in the early 20th century. The Union of Puerto Rico was known as the dominant political party of the island from 1904 to 1932. UPR founder Luis Muñoz Rivera also founded La Democracia, which effectively acted as the UPR publication. On 19 February 1904, the Union of Puerto Rico party became the first mass party to advocate for independence for Puerto Rico in the form of a sovereign nation.[1]

Founding

Union of Puerto Rico was founded in February 1902 by Luis Muñoz Rivera, Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón, Antonio R. Barceló, José de Diego, Juan Vías Ochoteco and others after the disbanding of the Federal Party following the party's withdrawal in the election of 1900.[2] The party formed under a platform of greater autonomy for Puerto Rico as a result of the group's dissatisfaction, and frustration, with the Foraker Act.[3]

Platform

Autonomy

The UPR, initially, had a platform that pushed for the separation of the cabinet and legislature, for Puerto Ricans to have more cabinet positions, for a less powerful governor and the governor's appointments in hopes that Puerto Ricans could have more influence and participation within their own government.[2]

Jones Act and Realignment

From 1913 to 1915 Luis Muñoz Rivera attempted to amend the Jones Act, during its creation, in order to incorporate Puerto Rican autonomy into the act. Rivera attempted to reform the acts incorporation of aspects similar to the older Olmstead Act, especially aspects of United States civil government. Muñoz's campaign for amendments to the eventual Jones act was systemic from the fact he viewed it as "ultra-conservative", and wanted to try and realize Puerto Rican autonomy.[4]

The most divisive aspect of the Jones act was United States citizenship for Puerto Ricans. Both Muñoz, and the UPR delegates in Washington opposed Puerto Rican-U.S. Citizenship. Muñoz, in February 1914, introduced his own bill for the continuation of Puerto Rican citizenship- supported by the UPR delegates. However, dejected, the UPR delegates eventually chose to accept the provision "of individual citizenship outlined in the Shafroth bill".[4]

Muñoz's patience and diligence regarding the tentative Jones Bill, was challenged by the radical Jose De Diego (another UPR leader) who sought quick resolution for Puerto Rican independence. This division regarding ideology within the party came to be resolved at the UPR convention, in 1915. The party, according to Munoz, came to the conclusion that;

The Unionist party . . . by a vote of 106 against 35 resolved to follow a policy entirely along the lines of self-government. The party shall confine its activities to demanding home rule leaving the independence plank in its platform simply as an ideal until some future convention shall determine the date on which the said plank shall be considered a party issue…[4]

Following the death of Munoz, in 1916, this new platform became permanent, as Munoz's death created poignancy regarding his final public goal for the UPR.[4] The party, thusly, began to take a more conservative platform regarding Puerto Rican autonomy. Eventually, in 1920, the party would even work for the expansion of the Jones Act in order to maintain United States relations that they hoped could guarantee eventual Puerto Rican autonomy.[5]

Dissent

In 1913 a small pro-independence faction (known as the independistas) occurs with José de Diego as a response to the Jones Act. While one of the earliest examples of dissent within the party, de Diego subsequently accepted the Jones Act (in line with his party) in order to retain his position within the legislature.[6]

Various members of the party felt that the Union Party was not doing enough for the cause of Puerto Rican independence. In 1919, José Coll y Cuchí quit the party and with his followers founded Asociación Nacionalista de Puerto Rico (English: Nationalist Association) in San Juan. The Nationalist Association had a youth group called the Juventud Nacionalista (English: Nationalist Youth) which was at that time presided over by José Paniagua. The Nationalist Youth was then composed of students from the University of Puerto Rico and high school students.[7]

Other high-ranking members who also felt as Coll y Cuchí and quit the party were Dr. Leopoldo Figueroa, José S. Alegría (father of Ricardo Alegría) and Eugenio Font Suárez, co-founded the Independence Association of Puerto Rico (Asociación Independentista).[8]

Birth of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party

On September 17, 1922, the Independence Association merged with Coll y Cuchí's Nationalist Association of Puerto Rico and the Nationalist Youth (Juventud Nacionalista) political organizations to form the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party.[8]

Reorganization

In 1921 president Harding appointed E. Mont Reily as governor of Puerto Rico. While the UPR had historically been amicable with Puerto Rican Governors, Reily retaliated against the UPR as their platform was one of Puerto Rican independence.[5] Facing new political pushback, that included members of the UPR no longer being appointed to government positions, the UPR completely removed Puerto Rican independence from their platform and instead campaigned for an Estado Libre Asociado (English: Free Associated State) on February 11, 1922.[5] The ELA would have effectively allowed Puerto Ricans to be elected as their own governors, by extending U.S. citizenship, and would have removed Reily from office as a result.

The ELA, and change in platform, drew criticism as being bourgeois especially from more radical factions within the UPR- this faction created the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party.[5]

Formation of Alianza

In 1924, the Union Party joined with dissident members of the Republican Party to form the Alianza (English: Alliance), a political coalition. In elections, both parties would be on the ballot but their individual votes would be combined as one coalition. Criticism by the more liberal faction of the Puerto Rican Republican Party, and Socialist Party in 1920 regarding Puerto Rico's status lead to the eventual formation of Coalicion. With the growing influence, and organization, of radical parties caused concern within the UPR. The more liberal factions became more popular with the male laboring class. Similar concerns for the UPR arose with female suffrage, achieved in 1924. The response was the creation of Alianza.[5]

Liberal Party

In 1932, the Alianza reconstituted itself as the Liberal Party and formally endorsed independence. The Alianza's more conservative, pro-statehood, faction broke off and joined with the Republicans to form the Republican Union.

Demise

In 1920, after the UPR changed their platform for the expansion of the Jones Act, the UPR experienced criticism by the pro-independence faction of the Puerto Rican Republican Party and the Socialist Party for creating new uncertainty regarding the island's status.[5]

Fuerza Viva, the farmers association at the time, became especially critical of the UPR as their rhetoric began to emphasis greater foreign economic relations. Fuerza Viva, as a result, began to criticize the UPR and in 1926 began an attack against UPR leader Antonio R. Barcelo. Barcelo was accused of being a socialist by Fuerza Viva.[5]

Throughout the 1920s, while remaining the dominant political party of the island, the UPR experienced a loss of popularity as their image (especially after the formation of the Alianza) because associated with being bourgeois, and politically conservative.[3]

Further reading

  • José Trías Monge, Puerto Rico: The Trials of the Oldest Colony in the World (Yale University Press, 1997) ISBN 0-300-07618-5

References

  1. ^ a b c Bolivar Pagan. Historia de los Partidos Políticos Puertorriqueños (1898-1956). San Juan, Puerto Rico: Litografía Real Hermanos, Inc. 1959. Tomo I. p. 114.
  2. ^ a b Clark, Truman R. (1969). "President Taft and the Puerto Rican Appropriation Crisis of 1909". The Americas. 2: 157–170 – via EBSCO.
  3. ^ a b Carrion, Juan Manuel (1995). In The National Question: Nationalism, Ethnic Conflict, and Self-Determination in the Twentieth Century. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Temple University Press. pp. 133–157.
  4. ^ a b c d Gatell, Frank Otto (1960). "The Art of the Possible: Luis Mun̄oz Rivera and the Puerto Rican Jones Bill". The Americas. 17: 1–20. doi:10.2307/979384. JSTOR 979384. S2CID 146854636.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Solá, José O. (2010). "PARTISANSHIP, POWER CONTENDERS, AND COLONIAL POLITICS IN PUERTO RICO, 1920s". Caribbean Studies. 38: 3–35. doi:10.1353/crb.2010.0031. S2CID 154806292.
  6. ^ Wright, Micah (2014). "MOBILIZATION, PARTISANSHIP, AND POLITICAL PARTY DYNAMICS IN PUERTO RICO, 1917-1920S". Caribbean Studies. 42 (2): 41–70. doi:10.1353/crb.2014.0023. S2CID 142070944.
  7. ^ Partido Nacionalista de Puerto Rico
  8. ^ a b Ley Núm. 282 del año 2006

February 19, 2023
union, puerto, rico, spanish, unión, puerto, rico, also, known, unionist, party, spanish, partido, unionista, major, political, party, puerto, rico, early, 20th, century, known, dominant, political, party, island, from, 1904, 1932, founder, luis, muñoz, rivera. The Union of Puerto Rico Spanish Union de Puerto Rico UPR also known as the Unionist Party 1 Spanish Partido Unionista 1 PU was a major political party in Puerto Rico in the early 20th century The Union of Puerto Rico was known as the dominant political party of the island from 1904 to 1932 UPR founder Luis Munoz Rivera also founded La Democracia which effectively acted as the UPR publication On 19 February 1904 the Union of Puerto Rico party became the first mass party to advocate for independence for Puerto Rico in the form of a sovereign nation 1 Contents 1 Founding 2 Platform 2 1 Autonomy 2 2 Jones Act and Realignment 3 Dissent 4 Birth of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party 5 Reorganization 5 1 Formation of Alianza 5 2 Liberal Party 6 Demise 7 Further reading 8 ReferencesFounding EditUnion of Puerto Rico was founded in February 1902 by Luis Munoz Rivera Rosendo Matienzo Cintron Antonio R Barcelo Jose de Diego Juan Vias Ochoteco and others after the disbanding of the Federal Party following the party s withdrawal in the election of 1900 2 The party formed under a platform of greater autonomy for Puerto Rico as a result of the group s dissatisfaction and frustration with the Foraker Act 3 Platform EditAutonomy Edit The UPR initially had a platform that pushed for the separation of the cabinet and legislature for Puerto Ricans to have more cabinet positions for a less powerful governor and the governor s appointments in hopes that Puerto Ricans could have more influence and participation within their own government 2 Jones Act and Realignment Edit From 1913 to 1915 Luis Munoz Rivera attempted to amend the Jones Act during its creation in order to incorporate Puerto Rican autonomy into the act Rivera attempted to reform the acts incorporation of aspects similar to the older Olmstead Act especially aspects of United States civil government Munoz s campaign for amendments to the eventual Jones act was systemic from the fact he viewed it as ultra conservative and wanted to try and realize Puerto Rican autonomy 4 The most divisive aspect of the Jones act was United States citizenship for Puerto Ricans Both Munoz and the UPR delegates in Washington opposed Puerto Rican U S Citizenship Munoz in February 1914 introduced his own bill for the continuation of Puerto Rican citizenship supported by the UPR delegates However dejected the UPR delegates eventually chose to accept the provision of individual citizenship outlined in the Shafroth bill 4 Munoz s patience and diligence regarding the tentative Jones Bill was challenged by the radical Jose De Diego another UPR leader who sought quick resolution for Puerto Rican independence This division regarding ideology within the party came to be resolved at the UPR convention in 1915 The party according to Munoz came to the conclusion that The Unionist party by a vote of 106 against 35 resolved to follow a policy entirely along the lines of self government The party shall confine its activities to demanding home rule leaving the independence plank in its platform simply as an ideal until some future convention shall determine the date on which the said plank shall be considered a party issue 4 Following the death of Munoz in 1916 this new platform became permanent as Munoz s death created poignancy regarding his final public goal for the UPR 4 The party thusly began to take a more conservative platform regarding Puerto Rican autonomy Eventually in 1920 the party would even work for the expansion of the Jones Act in order to maintain United States relations that they hoped could guarantee eventual Puerto Rican autonomy 5 Dissent EditIn 1913 a small pro independence faction known as the independistas occurs with Jose de Diego as a response to the Jones Act While one of the earliest examples of dissent within the party de Diego subsequently accepted the Jones Act in line with his party in order to retain his position within the legislature 6 Various members of the party felt that the Union Party was not doing enough for the cause of Puerto Rican independence In 1919 Jose Coll y Cuchi quit the party and with his followers founded Asociacion Nacionalista de Puerto Rico English Nationalist Association in San Juan The Nationalist Association had a youth group called the Juventud Nacionalista English Nationalist Youth which was at that time presided over by Jose Paniagua The Nationalist Youth was then composed of students from the University of Puerto Rico and high school students 7 Other high ranking members who also felt as Coll y Cuchi and quit the party were Dr Leopoldo Figueroa Jose S Alegria father of Ricardo Alegria and Eugenio Font Suarez co founded the Independence Association of Puerto Rico Asociacion Independentista 8 Birth of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party EditOn September 17 1922 the Independence Association merged with Coll y Cuchi s Nationalist Association of Puerto Rico and the Nationalist Youth Juventud Nacionalista political organizations to form the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party 8 Reorganization EditIn 1921 president Harding appointed E Mont Reily as governor of Puerto Rico While the UPR had historically been amicable with Puerto Rican Governors Reily retaliated against the UPR as their platform was one of Puerto Rican independence 5 Facing new political pushback that included members of the UPR no longer being appointed to government positions the UPR completely removed Puerto Rican independence from their platform and instead campaigned for an Estado Libre Asociado English Free Associated State on February 11 1922 5 The ELA would have effectively allowed Puerto Ricans to be elected as their own governors by extending U S citizenship and would have removed Reily from office as a result The ELA and change in platform drew criticism as being bourgeois especially from more radical factions within the UPR this faction created the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party 5 Formation of Alianza Edit In 1924 the Union Party joined with dissident members of the Republican Party to form the Alianza English Alliance a political coalition In elections both parties would be on the ballot but their individual votes would be combined as one coalition Criticism by the more liberal faction of the Puerto Rican Republican Party and Socialist Party in 1920 regarding Puerto Rico s status lead to the eventual formation of Coalicion With the growing influence and organization of radical parties caused concern within the UPR The more liberal factions became more popular with the male laboring class Similar concerns for the UPR arose with female suffrage achieved in 1924 The response was the creation of Alianza 5 Liberal Party Edit In 1932 the Alianza reconstituted itself as the Liberal Party and formally endorsed independence The Alianza s more conservative pro statehood faction broke off and joined with the Republicans to form the Republican Union Demise EditIn 1920 after the UPR changed their platform for the expansion of the Jones Act the UPR experienced criticism by the pro independence faction of the Puerto Rican Republican Party and the Socialist Party for creating new uncertainty regarding the island s status 5 Fuerza Viva the farmers association at the time became especially critical of the UPR as their rhetoric began to emphasis greater foreign economic relations Fuerza Viva as a result began to criticize the UPR and in 1926 began an attack against UPR leader Antonio R Barcelo Barcelo was accused of being a socialist by Fuerza Viva 5 Throughout the 1920s while remaining the dominant political party of the island the UPR experienced a loss of popularity as their image especially after the formation of the Alianza because associated with being bourgeois and politically conservative 3 Further reading EditJose Trias Monge Puerto Rico The Trials of the Oldest Colony in the World Yale University Press 1997 ISBN 0 300 07618 5References Edit Puerto Rico portal Politics portal a b c Bolivar Pagan Historia de los Partidos Politicos Puertorriquenos 1898 1956 San Juan Puerto Rico Litografia Real Hermanos Inc 1959 Tomo I p 114 a b Clark Truman R 1969 President Taft and the Puerto Rican Appropriation Crisis of 1909 The Americas 2 157 170 via EBSCO a b Carrion Juan Manuel 1995 In The National Question Nationalism Ethnic Conflict and Self Determination in the Twentieth Century Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple University Press pp 133 157 a b c d Gatell Frank Otto 1960 The Art of the Possible Luis Mun oz Rivera and the Puerto Rican Jones Bill The Americas 17 1 20 doi 10 2307 979384 JSTOR 979384 S2CID 146854636 a b c d e f g Sola Jose O 2010 PARTISANSHIP POWER CONTENDERS AND COLONIAL POLITICS IN PUERTO RICO 1920s Caribbean Studies 38 3 35 doi 10 1353 crb 2010 0031 S2CID 154806292 Wright Micah 2014 MOBILIZATION PARTISANSHIP AND POLITICAL PARTY DYNAMICS IN PUERTO RICO 1917 1920S Caribbean Studies 42 2 41 70 doi 10 1353 crb 2014 0023 S2CID 142070944 Partido Nacionalista de Puerto Rico a b Ley Num 282 del ano 2006 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Union of Puerto Rico amp oldid 1138918535, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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