Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico facts for kids
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Comité Revolucionario de Puerto Rico
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| Abbreviation | CRPR |
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| Merged into | Cuban Revolutionary Party in 1892 as an affiliate under the name Club Borinquen and in 1895 as a segment under the name Sección de Puerto Rico del Partido Revolucionario Cubano (Puerto Rico Section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party) |
| Formation | January 8, 1867 |
| Founder | Exiled Puerto Rican revolutionaries, including Segundo Ruiz Belvis, Ramón Emeterio Betances, and Juan Ríus Rivera |
| Founded at | New York City in 1867, 1892, and 1895 |
| Dissolved | December 23, 1898 |
| Type | Political organisation |
| Purpose | Puerto Rican Independence Cuban Independence Anti-imperialism |
The Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Comité Revolucionario de Puerto Rico, CRPR) was a group formed by Puerto Ricans who wanted their island to be free from Spain. It started on January 8, 1867.
Many of its founders, like Segundo Ruiz Belvis and Ramón Emeterio Betances, lived in New York City. Their main goal was to help both Puerto Rico and Cuba gain independence from Spain.
The committee was later connected to the Cuban Revolutionary Party. In 1892, it was called Club Borinquen. By 1895, it became the Puerto Rico Section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party.
In the late 1800s, Puerto Rico and Cuba were the last parts of Spain's large American empire. Both islands began fighting for their freedom. The committee helped organize two important revolts in Puerto Rico.
These revolts were the Grito de Lares in 1868 and the Intentona de Yauco in 1897. The committee also sent money and weapons to help Cuba's fight for independence. This included rifles, carbines, handguns, and even a cannon.
On December 22, 1895, the committee officially joined the Cuban Revolutionary Party. Many members were living in New York City at the time, alongside Cuban heroes like José Martí.
On the same day, the committee approved the current design of the flag of Puerto Rico. This new flag would represent a free "Republic of Puerto Rico". It replaced the older Grito de Lares flag.
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The Cry for Freedom: Grito de Lares
On September 23, 1868, the Revolutionary Committee led a major event. They declared independence in the town of Lares, Puerto Rico. They called it the Republic of Puerto Rico.
About 400 to 600 rebels gathered near Lares. They marched into the town around midnight. The rebels took over the city hall and some Spanish-owned stores.
By 2:00 AM, the Republic of Puerto Rico was announced. Francisco Ramírez Medina became its president. However, the Spanish military quickly stopped the revolt.
About 475 rebels were arrested. This event became known as the Grito de Lares (Cry of Lares). It was a very important moment in Puerto Rico's history.
A New Flag in New York City
On December 22, 1895, the Puerto Rican Revolutionary Committee was re-established. It was now called the Puerto Rico Section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party. This happened in New York City.
Many Puerto Rican and Cuban people who wanted independence lived in New York. On that day, Juan de Mata Terreforte and other committee members met. Many of them had been part of the Grito de Lares revolt.
They decided to change the flag. They adopted a new revolutionary flag that looked like the Cuban flag but with its colors inverted. This flag would represent a future "Republic of Puerto Rico."
This flag became very popular with the people of Puerto Rico. It officially became the flag of the island in 1952.
The Intentona de Yauco Uprising
In 1897, Antonio Mattei Lluberas visited the Puerto Rican Revolutionary Committee in New York City. He met with leaders like Emiterio Betances and Terreforte. They planned another big revolt.
Betances was to lead it, and General Rius Rivera would command the fighters. At this time, Ríus Rivera was a top commander in the Cuban fight for independence.
Mattei Lluberas bought 30,000 machetes for the rebels. He returned to Puerto Rico with a Puerto Rican flag and started preparing for the uprising.
However, the Spanish authorities found out about their plans. Mattei Lluberas wanted to start the revolt right away. But other leaders worried it would end badly, like the Grito de Lares revolt.
Mattei Lluberas and the committee in New York had also been asking U.S. President William McKinley to invade Puerto Rico. After the U.S. took control of Cuba, McKinley approved the invasion of Puerto Rico.
U.S. ships sailed to Puerto Rico in July 1898. Later that year, on December 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris was signed. Under this treaty, the United States took control of Puerto Rico.
See also
- El Grito de Lares
- Intentona de Yauco
- Puerto Rican independence movement
- Ramón Emeterio Betances
- List of Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Rican military personnel
