Gobierno De Puerto Rico 4

Described as depopulated in the early 19th century.
Construction of the Central Road started during the last decades of Spanish rule, which transformed the transportation infrastructure and had significant implications for Puerto Rico.

Majority of Spanish liberals did not advocate for Puerto Rican separation from Spain.
A small group supported independence, while the majority sought broad autonomy for the territory.

Puerto Rican Nationalism:
- Two main tendencies emerged:
1. Puerto Rican Nationalism with Autonomism.
  - Advocated for a distinct Puerto Rican identity separate from Spanish identity.
  - Aimed for broad autonomy rather than full independence.
  - The autonomists demanded greater local governmental powers, including the right for municipalities to elect their own mayors and local governments instead of having them appointed by the governor.
2. Spanish Loyalty:
  - Comprised primarily of immigrants from Spain, retaining loyalty to the Spanish crown.
  - This faction was supported by the Spanish governor despite being a numerical minority.

Liberal Reformist Party (1870):
- Founded to represent autonomist interests.
- Aimed to secure political reform and greater local autonomy.
Puerto Rican Autonomist Party (1887):
- Active in the pursuit of political rights and autonomy under Spanish governance.
- Faced persecution from the Spanish authorities, especially under Governor Pomando Palacios, leading to actions like torture and arbitrary arrests of political activists, especially those perceived as separatists.

A division occurred among liberal factions regarding political strategies:
- One group sought to form alliances with Spanish liberals for mutual liberal goals.
- The autonomy movement faced criticism, leading to the formation of a more purist faction known as the Orthodox Liberal Party.
- There was tension between older liberal leaders and new political movements that emerged as American rule began.

Upon the arrival of American governance, existing political parties dissolved.
New political entities emerged as local elites sought representation in a new political landscape:
1. Puerto Rican Union Party led by Luis Muñoz Rivera.
2. Republican Party of Puerto Rico led by José Celso Barbosa.
The division continued after the transition to American governance, with movements ranging from seeking autonomy to advocating for independence framed as a form of international sovereignty—leading to varied interpretations of independence.

Separatism was characterized by a desire for more than cultural nationalism, rejecting the notion that Puerto Rico was simply an extension of Spanish territory.
Difficulties faced by separatists:
- Actively suppressed by Spanish authorities due to legal prohibitions against separatist parties.
- Forced to operate clandestinely, often resulting in conspiracies and armed revolts as their only recourse for political expression.

Key Figure:
- A significant leader of the movement, possibly referencing Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances, a prominent separatist leader.
- Birthplace of this figure was associated with a Masonic lodge—a point of intrigue as it indicates ties to broader international movements.

Freemasonry depicted as a secretive organization with historical roots in medieval Europe, often associated with promoting ideals like brotherhood and liberty.
Seen with suspicion by the Catholic Church, yet many Catholics participated, contributing to their influence on political movements in Puerto Rico.
- Masonic lodges served as centers of conspiracy and discussion for separatists, given the limited options for political engagement under colonial rule.

A notable characteristic of the leadership in these movements:
- Many key figures were not originally Puerto Rican by birth, including individuals from Venezuela, the U.S., and other nationalities, suggesting a diverse leadership base that may reflect broader anti-colonial sentiments resulting from the colonial experience.