Author's Note: Most of this chapter takes place during the 1800's. I'm going to tell some of the events of that time out of chronological order for the sake of the story, but the actual dates will be kept for your slightly educational reference. Also, this is a very narrative heavy chapter, so some of the notes will be at the end, and numbered for their reference in the story. And this chapter will be one of the longer ones, but don't let that keep you from reading!

"Knowledge is Power" Is a Cheesy Title

1800's

The last half of the 19th century was marked by the Puerto Rican struggle for autonomy. A census conducted in 1860 revealed a population of 583,308. Of these, 300,406 (51.5%) were white and 282,775 (48.5%) were persons of color, the latter including people of primarily African heritage, mulattos and mestizos. The majority of the population in Puerto Rico was illiterate (83.7%) and lived in poverty, and the agricultural industry—at the time, the main source of income—was hampered by lack of road infrastructure, adequate tools and equipment, and natural disasters, including hurricanes and droughts. The economy also suffered from increasing tariffs and taxes imposed by the Spanish Crown.

The diary that Puerto Rico keeps has gone back many years. When the 19th century came around Puerto Rico took a look back on her life. Many of her entries feature how she tried to fight Spain. Time and time again, his military power was just too much for her to overcome, and thus she remains his lackey and a servant to his whims and wishes. She sighs, "Why does he have to be so strong?" Puerto Rico becomes a little curious about Spain's power and history and how it works, and then she begins to wonder about all the other Nations. "I wonder… I guess I'll check it out, Spain should have some books lying around this house." She finds a few books and looks through them all.

She reads for a while, just absorbing information and marking books she likes. Then, and hears Spain calling her, "Puerto Rico, I've got some chores for you to do!" Puerto Rico twitches at Spain interrupting her, especially for working. She stands up, not bothering to put the books away, intending to return to them later. Taking one last look at the books before she leaves the room, a light bulb goes off in her head. A master plan is forming, "Things are going to change around here." She says and leaves the room.

That night Puerto Rico drags herself to her room after her chores are complete. Her body aches, and she feels filthy and sweaty. As she opens the door she sees the books she had left strewn about. She grimaces, but then shakes her head to perk herself up. "No time to rest now!" she says and goes to the bathroom to wash and freshen up. After returning from her bath she scours the home for more books on many topics. She collects some science and technology, philosophy, literature, and news from all the other Nations.

She makes her way back to the room with the heavy stack of books in her arms that she easily carries. "Oh, almost forgot!" she sets the books aside and goes over to the book shelf where Spain keep a large Bible on the top shelf. "Might as well study that too," she thinks to herself.

Going up to the shelf and standing on her tip-toes, Puerto Rico reaches for the book. Spain happens to walk by and sees Puerto Rico struggling to reach for the top shelf. "Puerto Rico do you need help?"

"No, I've got it!" she says. Spain sighs; she would never accept his help when he offered it. Spain walks over to the petite teen to retrieve the book for her. But just as she did, Puerto Rico gives one final push and stretch of her body and gets a hold of the book, and easily takes it down from the shelf. Spain is astonished, "Oh…you…got it."

Puerto Rico was actually a little surprised herself, but she shrugged it off. "See, I told you I could get it myself." She goes to add the book to her stack and take it to her room.

As she does, Spain looks her over. "So… without my realizing it…" Spain thinks with a curious expression, "Puerto Rico… is growing."

In the next few years Puerto Rico spends a lot of her time learning as much as she can. She goes around the island and teaches others how to read and write. She even begins to have literary competitions to promote reading.(1) One day as Puerto Rico was reading a letter at the desk in her room Spain peeks in on her. "Hey do you have your head in another book?"

Puerto Rico replies with a half smile, "Well, it's fun to find out new things." She says and adjusts her new reading glasses. Spain smiles at her and carries on about his day. Puerto Rico returns to her letter from America. "Hey Puerto Rico! I'll send over my bud to help you set up some telegraphs and wires. Oh hey, why are you so obsessed with reading and learning anyway?"

Puerto Rico takes out another pen and paper and writes back to America. "I know I can't beat Spain with swords and guns. But there is another way to fight, I can use my mind, but I need everyone's help to do it. It's already started to help people get organized, and get their voices heard. (2)We're going to change America."

One day while Spain was lounging on the beach, Puerto Rico went to him. "Spain, we need to talk."

The cheery Spaniard smiles at Puerto Rico and pats the seat next to him for her to sit. "Sure, what do you want to talk about?" Puerto sits down and begins to speak, "Spain, I want to ask you to stop the slave trade."

Spain was a bit surprised, but he responded to Puerto Rico non-chalantly. "But then I won't be able to get more workers." He says and simply pats the girl's head. Puerto Rico grits her teeth, feeling her temper rise.

She thinks to herself, "Calm down… Punching his lights out isn't going to do any good, no matter how much I want to…" Puerto Rico calmly takes Spain's hand from her head, and he looks at her curiously. "Puerto Rico?" he questions.

"Spain, please listen to me. It's immoral to have slaves, and to own a human being like property. And the elderly cannot handle the work load you place on them, it's very dangerous and…" Puerto Rico spent a few hours making her case to Spain with facts and studies she's found and ethical reasoning. When Puerto Rico finished, Spain was quiet and had a more serious look on his face.

"I see Puerto Rico… Well, you've given me a lot to think about."

"Please consider everything I said Spain," the small teen asks. Spain smiles, "I will. And Puerto Rico,"

"Yes, Spain?" "You surprised me today; I thought you would punch my lights out." Spain laughs and Puerto Rico rolls her eyes.

On June 25, 1835, Queen María Cristina abolished the slave trade to Spanish colonies.

On June 4, 1870, due to the efforts of Román Baldorioty de Castro, Luis Padial and Julio Vizcarrondo, the Moret Law was approved, giving freedom to slaves born after September 17, 1868 or over 60 years old

on March 22, 1873, the Spanish National Assembly officially abolished, with a few special clauses, slavery in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico and Spain began to have many debates and discussions as the growing young woman tried to gain autonomy. At the time Puerto Rico had to overcome many conflicting feelings, parts of her wanted to stay with Spain, other parts of her wanted a violent coup, aside from a few incidents she did her best to keep her temper under control. Eventually her hard work paid off and things began to settle with Spain, great changes finally arrived.

The struggle for autonomy came close to achieving its goal on November 25, 1897, when the Carta Autonómica (Charter of Autonomy), which conceded political and administrative autonomy to the island, was approved in Spain. In the past 400-plus years, after centuries of colonial rule, Práxedes Mateo Sagasta, the Prime Minister of Spain granted the island an autonomous government on November 25, 1897 in the empire's legislative body in Cádiz, Spain, and trade was opened up with the United States and European colonies.

The charter maintained a governor appointed by Spain, who held the power to veto any legislative decision he disagreed with, and a partially elected parliamentary structure. That same year, the Partido Autonomista Ortodoxo (Orthodox Autonomist Party), led by José Celso Barbosa and Manuel Fernández Juncos, was founded. On February 9, 1898, the new government officially began. Local legislature set its own budget and taxes. They accepted or rejected commercial treaties concluded by Spain.

In February 1898, Governor General Manuel Macías inaugurated the new government of Puerto Rico under the Autonomous Charter which gave town councils complete autonomy in local matters. Subsequently, the governor had no authority to intervene in civil and political matters unless authorized to do so by the Cabinet. General elections were held in March and on July 17, 1898 Puerto Rico's autonomous government began to function, but not for long.

(1)In 1851, Governor Juan de la Pezuela Cevallos founded the Royal Academy of Belles Letters. The academy licensed primary school teachers, formulated school methods, and held literary contests that promoted the intellectual and literary progress of the island. In 1858, the telegraph was introduced on the island with the assistance of Samuel F. B. Morse who installed a line in the town of Arroyo at Hacienda La Enriqueta.(1)

(2)The Traditionalists, known as the Partido Liberal Conservador (Liberal Conservative Party) were led by José R. Fernández, Pablo Ubarri and Francisco Paula Acuña and advocated assimilation into the political party system of Spain, while the Autonomists, known as the Partido Liberal Reformista (Liberal Reformist Party) were led by Román Baldorioty de Castro, Jose Julián Acosta, Nicolás Aguayo and Pedro Gerónimo Goico and advocated decentralization away from Spanish control. Both parties would later change their names to Partido Incondicional Español (Unconditional Spanish Party) and Partido Federal Reformista (Reformist Federal Party), respectively. In March 1887, the Partido Federal Reformista was reformed and named the Partido Autonomista Puertorriqueño (Puerto Rican Autonomist Party); it tried to create a political and legal identity for Puerto Rico while emulating Spain in all political matters. It was led by Román Baldorioty de Castro, José Celso Barbosa, Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón and Luis Muñoz Rivera. (2)