(1) Political Program of the Partido Independiente de Color

Chomsky, Aviva et al.. “The Independent Party of Colour, El Partido Independiente de Color”. (1908): 163-164. Print.

The Partido Independiente de Color (PIC) was a Cuban political party which was found in 1908 and it consisted of mostly former African slaves and veterans of the Cuban War of Independence against Spain (1895–1898). The article outlines the beliefs of the PIC which included things such as equality among all races, and the party was interested in things such as balancing Cuban interests, developing strong relations with the citizens, and equal participation in public administration. Many political and social reforms are listed in the document – abolition of the death penalty, free education, and distribution of the land to those who lack resources are examples of what are addressed. Pertaining to the subject of citizenship and rights in the “New Republics”, this article highlights the shift from colonialism and slavery to egalitarianism and more left-leaning politics which was commonly seen in many of the countries that successfully liberated themselves and achieved independence.

(2) Cuban Independence Movement

“Cuban Independence Movement.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2016.

The text provides information about the Cuban War of Independence (1895–1898) and what led up to it. For example, nine years prior to the conflict, slavery was abolished and many changes were made that affected the working class (which included former slaves) as well as the wealth. It should be noted in the late 1880s,the United States was annexing the Cuba despite the country still being under Spanish rule; all at the same time, there was ever growing dissatisfaction with Spain’s corrupt administration. All this combined with the social and economic strains Cuba faced, the Cuban War of Independence finally began in 1895. This article on the Cuban Independence Movement provide information that explains what trigger the independence movement in Cuba (and Latin America in general), and allows us to understand why the rights such as the ones outline in the Political Program of the Partido Independiente de Color were demanded by the people.