Cabildos in Puerto Rico essays

Cabildos in Puerto Rico essays In around 1515, Juan Ponce de Len established two Cabildos: Cabildo of San Juan and Cabildo of San Germn. The Cabildos were the local representative assemblies; they served strictly under Governors appointed by the Crown and at their pleasure. In the last moments of the colonial era, Cuba and Puerto Rico managed after much struggle to win representation in the Spanish courts. However, these Cabildos played an important role in the community life of Puerto Rico at the time. They provided the aid and representation that the people needed, regardless of economic struggles. Cabildos were essential to community life because of their help in eclectic problems and the representation they gave to the people. An oligarchic structure of the Cabildos, although made up of relatives and friends from the elite, was rather successful, and played an important part in the Cabildos success in community life. The Cabildos were not a democratic institution; they were organized and controlled by the laws of the Indies. Both Cabildos, San Juan and San Germn, were composed of an Alcalde Ordinario, and several Regidores Regidores, who elected the alcaldes, were appointed by the King or posts were sold at auctions. Sugar mill owners, also known as hacenderos, and ganaderos were also part of the economic oligarchy of the Cabildos. This structure, although most positions were held by relatives and friends of the Regidores and Alcaldes of the elite group, was somewhat effective, even when most of the time it was against the law. Cabildos as well gave the people representation. The Father of the Republic, or the Cabildo, met weekly o monthly to discuss community matters. Besides from these regular meetings, they held Cabildos Abiertos, or open meetings, when they had urgent municipal problems. It was only in Cabildos Abiertos where community members chosen by the council could participate. Ev...