1901 Constitution of Cuba
Encyclopedia
1901 Constitution of Cuba was the constitution used in Cuba
from May 20, 1902 until it was replaced by the 1940 Constitution of Cuba
. A constitutional convention was called by Leonard Wood
, the U.S. military governor of Cuba. On November 5, 1900, the 6 provinces sent delegates to the convention. The convention was presided by Domingo Mendez Capote, with Enrique Villuendas and Alfredo Zayas as secretaries.
On February 21, 1901, the constitution was approved by the assembly. The constitution was inspired by the American Constitution of 1789.
Platt Amendment
The Constitution of 1901, it was added the Platt Amendment. In essence, governed relations between the U.S. and Cuba, and gave the U.S. the right to lease certain parts of the country to establish naval bases and coaling.
In the aforementioned Amendment, it set out eight clauses which should regulate the relations between the United States and Cuba, among those most frequently injured clauses which national sovereignty was the 3rd., 4th. and 7th.
Article 3: That the Government of Cuba aware that the U.S. can exercise the right to intervene to the preservation of Cuban independence, the maintenance of a government adequate to protect lives, property and individual freedom and to fulfill the obligations with respect to Cuba, have been imposed on U.S. by the Treaty of Paris
and now to be assumed and undertaken by the Government of Cuba.
Article 4: The fourth clause referring to all acts done by the United States in Cuba during its military occupation, would be ratified and valid and all lawful rights acquired under them will be kept protected.
Article 7: What to put in a position to the United States to maintain the independence of Cuba and to protect the people thereof, as well as his own defense, the Government of Cuba will sell or lease to the United States lands necessary for coaling or naval stations at certain specified points to be agreed with the President of the United States. Under this clause, it was signed the Agreement for Coaling and Naval Stations, signed in February 1903 in Havana and Washington, respectively, which included the areas of Bahia Honda and Guantanamo, the decision finally to establish a single base in Guantanamo Bay.
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
from May 20, 1902 until it was replaced by the 1940 Constitution of Cuba
1940 Constitution of Cuba
The 1940 Constitution of Cuba, was implemented in 1940, during the presidency of Federico Laredo Brú. It was primarily influenced by the collectivist ideas that inspired the Cuban Revolution of 1933. Widely considered one of the most "progressive" constitutions in existence at the time, it provided...
. A constitutional convention was called by Leonard Wood
Leonard Wood
Leonard Wood was a physician who served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, Military Governor of Cuba and Governor General of the Philippines. Early in his military career, he received the Medal of Honor. Wood also holds officer service #2 in the Regular Army...
, the U.S. military governor of Cuba. On November 5, 1900, the 6 provinces sent delegates to the convention. The convention was presided by Domingo Mendez Capote, with Enrique Villuendas and Alfredo Zayas as secretaries.
On February 21, 1901, the constitution was approved by the assembly. The constitution was inspired by the American Constitution of 1789.
Division of powers
It divided the government in three branches:- The legislature- which was composed of a Senate and House of Representatives (bicameral system),
- The judicial branch with a relative independence, but dependent on the executive and sometimes the legislature in terms of their appointments.
- The executive branch, which concentrated great power under its control.
Platt AmendmentPlatt AmendmentThe Platt Amendment of 1901 was a rider appended to the Army Appropriations Act presented to the U.S. Senate by Connecticut Republican Senator Orville H. Platt replacing the earlier Teller Amendment. Approved on May 22, 1903, it stipulated the conditions for the withdrawal of United States troops...
The Constitution of 1901, it was added the Platt Amendment. In essence, governed relations between the U.S. and Cuba, and gave the U.S. the right to lease certain parts of the country to establish naval bases and coaling.In the aforementioned Amendment, it set out eight clauses which should regulate the relations between the United States and Cuba, among those most frequently injured clauses which national sovereignty was the 3rd., 4th. and 7th.
Article 3: That the Government of Cuba aware that the U.S. can exercise the right to intervene to the preservation of Cuban independence, the maintenance of a government adequate to protect lives, property and individual freedom and to fulfill the obligations with respect to Cuba, have been imposed on U.S. by the Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris could refer to a number of treaties which have been negotiated and signed in Paris, France, including:*Treaty of Paris , ended the Albigensian Crusade*Treaty of Paris , between Henry III of England and Louis IX of France...
and now to be assumed and undertaken by the Government of Cuba.
Article 4: The fourth clause referring to all acts done by the United States in Cuba during its military occupation, would be ratified and valid and all lawful rights acquired under them will be kept protected.
Article 7: What to put in a position to the United States to maintain the independence of Cuba and to protect the people thereof, as well as his own defense, the Government of Cuba will sell or lease to the United States lands necessary for coaling or naval stations at certain specified points to be agreed with the President of the United States. Under this clause, it was signed the Agreement for Coaling and Naval Stations, signed in February 1903 in Havana and Washington, respectively, which included the areas of Bahia Honda and Guantanamo, the decision finally to establish a single base in Guantanamo Bay.
Repeal of Amendment Platt
Twenty years later, on May 29, 1934, the Platt Amendment was repealed by the Cuban government, which signed a new treaty that kept the continuity of the Guantanamo naval base.The delegates to this Constitutional Convention were
- Domingo Mendez Capote (President)
- Enrique Villuendas (Secretary)
- Alfredo Zayas (Secretary)
- Leopoldo Berriel
- Pedro E. Betancourt
- Antonio Bravo Correso
- Francisco Carrillo
- Jose N. Ferrer
- Luis Fortun
- Eliseo Giberga
- Jose Manuel Gomez
- Juan Gualberto GómezJuan Gualberto GómezJuan Gualberto Gómez Ferrer was an Afro-Cuban revolutionary leader in the Cuban War of Independence against Spain. He was a "close collaborator of Martí's," and alongside him helped plan the uprising and unite the island's black population behind the rebellion...
- Jose de Jesus Monteagudo
- Martin Morua Delgado
- Emilio NúñezEmilio NúñezEmilio Núñez was a Cuban-American soldier, dentist, and politician ....
- Gonzalo de Quesada
- Joaquin Quilez
- Miguel Rincon
- Juan Luis Rivera
- Jose Luis Robau
- Alejandro Rodriguez
- Diego Tamayo
- Eudaldo Tamayo