Cuban National Party
Encyclopedia
The Cuban National Party was a political party
in Cuba
. At the very beginning of the 20th century, it was one of the three main political parties on the island. The party favoured independence for Cuba.
) that emerged out of the Junta Patriótica in Havana
in March 1899. The Party was founded on March 24, 1899, at a meeting in Havana of presidents of patriotic clubs and neighbourhood committees as well as former members of the Junta Patriótica. At the meeting, Enrique Messonier (a former anarchist leader) called for a people's meeting to be held in Havana, to elect a commission to organize the work of the neighbourhood committees.
In agreement with Messonier's proposal, a meeting was held on March 26, 1899. The meeting elected a Organizing Commission of the Neighbourhood Committees. The Commission consisted of Carlos de la Torre, Enrique Messioner, Francisco Alonso, Alfredo Zayas, Nicasio Estrada Mora, Gabrie Casuso, J. R. O'Farrill, Miguel Verna, Evelio R. Lendián, Cándido Hoyos, José F. Torralbas, Benito Lagueruela, Eduardo González, Pedro Rodríguez, Ernesto Fernández, Antonio González Pérez, Medina Arango, Luis Febles and Ambrosio Borges.
The Cuban National Party rapidly became one of the most important political groups in the country at the time. Compared to other contemporary political parties, the Cuban National Party had a broader class base. The party had members from the small bourgeoise of the province, working class
elements and people of color.
In April 1899, the Cuban National League merged into the neighbourhood committees of the Cuban National Party. On April 10, a joint declaration of the Propaganda Commission of the Cuban National League and the Organizing Committee of the Cuban National Party formalized this merger.
At the meeting of the Organizing Committee on May 2, 1899, it was decided that an invitation to form local committees for the party and to distribute the invitation nationwide.
, the party won in the capital Havana. Dr. Miguel Gener, who had been supported by the party, became mayor of the city.
Ahead of the September 1900 elections to the Constituent Assembly
two adversaries of the party, the Democratic Union Party
and the Republican Party of Havana
, formed a joint coalition in a bid to defeat the Cuban National Party. Nevertheless, the Cuban National Party won the elections in Havana.
supported the candidature of Tomás Estrada Palma for president and Luis Estévez Romero as vice-president. Estrada Palma won the election, as his contender Bartolomé Masó withdrew in protest of fradulent functioning of the electoral machinery. After Estrada Palma's victory, the Republican Party of Havana became the ruling party in the country, whilst the Cuban National Party was dissolved.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Cuba
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...
. At the very beginning of the 20th century, it was one of the three main political parties on the island. The party favoured independence for Cuba.
History
The Party was one of two political groupings (the other one being the Cuban National LeagueCuban National League
The Cuban national baseball system is not a single baseball league; rather it is a structure of leagues and series that are governed by the Baseball Federation of Cuba and culminate in national championships and the selection of the Cuba national baseball team....
) that emerged out of the Junta Patriótica in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
in March 1899. The Party was founded on March 24, 1899, at a meeting in Havana of presidents of patriotic clubs and neighbourhood committees as well as former members of the Junta Patriótica. At the meeting, Enrique Messonier (a former anarchist leader) called for a people's meeting to be held in Havana, to elect a commission to organize the work of the neighbourhood committees.
In agreement with Messonier's proposal, a meeting was held on March 26, 1899. The meeting elected a Organizing Commission of the Neighbourhood Committees. The Commission consisted of Carlos de la Torre, Enrique Messioner, Francisco Alonso, Alfredo Zayas, Nicasio Estrada Mora, Gabrie Casuso, J. R. O'Farrill, Miguel Verna, Evelio R. Lendián, Cándido Hoyos, José F. Torralbas, Benito Lagueruela, Eduardo González, Pedro Rodríguez, Ernesto Fernández, Antonio González Pérez, Medina Arango, Luis Febles and Ambrosio Borges.
The Cuban National Party rapidly became one of the most important political groups in the country at the time. Compared to other contemporary political parties, the Cuban National Party had a broader class base. The party had members from the small bourgeoise of the province, working class
Working class
Working class is a term used in the social sciences and in ordinary conversation to describe those employed in lower tier jobs , often extending to those in unemployment or otherwise possessing below-average incomes...
elements and people of color.
In April 1899, the Cuban National League merged into the neighbourhood committees of the Cuban National Party. On April 10, a joint declaration of the Propaganda Commission of the Cuban National League and the Organizing Committee of the Cuban National Party formalized this merger.
At the meeting of the Organizing Committee on May 2, 1899, it was decided that an invitation to form local committees for the party and to distribute the invitation nationwide.
1900 elections
In the 1900 local electionsCuban local elections, 1900
Municipal elections were held in Cuba on June 16, 1900. The elections were held under the auspices of the U.S. Military Government with a system of restricted suffrage. 7% of the Cuban population took part in the polls, which saw some important victories for pro-independence sectors.-Military Order...
, the party won in the capital Havana. Dr. Miguel Gener, who had been supported by the party, became mayor of the city.
Ahead of the September 1900 elections to the Constituent Assembly
Cuban Constitutional Assembly election, 1900
Constitutional Assembly elections were held in Cuba on 15 September 1900. The result was a victory for the Republican-Democratic Coalition , which won 18 of the 31 seats.-Results:...
two adversaries of the party, the Democratic Union Party
Democratic Union Party (Cuba)
The Democratic Union Party was a political party in Cuba. The party was founded in 1899 by conservative sectors. In an alliance with the Republican Party of Havana, the DUP won the Constitutional Assembly elections in 1900....
and the Republican Party of Havana
Republican Party of Havana
The Republican Party of Havana was a political party in Cuba. The party was founded in the end of 1899. It was led by Dr. Domingo Méndez Capote. Prominent party members included Mario García Menocal, Eugenio Sánchez Agramonte, Fernando Freyre de Andrade, Manuel María Coronado, Manuel Despaigne and...
, formed a joint coalition in a bid to defeat the Cuban National Party. Nevertheless, the Cuban National Party won the elections in Havana.
Dissolution
In the 1901 presidential election, the Cuban National Party and the Republican Party of HavanaRepublican Party of Havana
The Republican Party of Havana was a political party in Cuba. The party was founded in the end of 1899. It was led by Dr. Domingo Méndez Capote. Prominent party members included Mario García Menocal, Eugenio Sánchez Agramonte, Fernando Freyre de Andrade, Manuel María Coronado, Manuel Despaigne and...
supported the candidature of Tomás Estrada Palma for president and Luis Estévez Romero as vice-president. Estrada Palma won the election, as his contender Bartolomé Masó withdrew in protest of fradulent functioning of the electoral machinery. After Estrada Palma's victory, the Republican Party of Havana became the ruling party in the country, whilst the Cuban National Party was dissolved.