Royal Decree of Graces of 1815 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Decree of Graces of 1815 |
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| Ratified | 10 August 1815 |
| Location | General Archives of Puerto Rico in the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture |
| Purpose | It is a legal order approved by the Spanish Crown to encourage Spaniards and Europeans of non-Spanish origin, to settle in and populate the colonies of Puerto Rico and Cuba. |
The Royal Decree of Graces of 1815 (in Spanish: Real Cédula de Gracias) was a special law. The Spanish Crown made this law in 1815. It was created to encourage people from Spain and other parts of Europe to move to the colony of Puerto Rico. The goal was to help Puerto Rico grow and become more populated.
Contents
What Was the Royal Decree of Graces?
On August 10, 1815, King Ferdinand VII of Spain approved this important law. It gave Puerto Rico the right to trade with countries that were friendly with Spain.
The decree also offered free land to new settlers. It gave rewards to people who invested money and new farming tools. This was for any Spaniard willing to move to Puerto Rico.
Before 1830, Puerto Rico was not very developed. Then, people from Spanish regions like Catalonia, Majorca, and the Canary Islands started to arrive. They helped create large farms for sugarcane, coffee, and tobacco.
Why Spain Needed New Settlers
In the early 1800s, many Spanish colonies in the Americas wanted to be free. Leaders like Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín in South America fought for independence. In Mexico, José María Morelos led a similar movement.
By 1825, Spain had lost almost all its land in the Americas. Only Puerto Rico and Cuba were still under Spanish rule. These two places also wanted more freedom. Groups that wanted independence were getting stronger.
To stop losing these colonies, the Spanish Crown brought back the Royal Decree of Graces. They printed the law in English and French, as well as Spanish. Copies were sent all over Europe to attract new settlers.
Life in Europe During This Time
The late 1700s and early 1800s were a time of big changes in Europe. Many farm workers moved to cities to find factory jobs. Those who stayed on farms faced bad harvests. Long dry periods and plant diseases, like the potato fungus that caused the Great Famine in the 1840s, led to hunger.
Diseases like cholera also spread widely. There was a lot of hunger across Europe. Social and economic problems also followed the European Revolutions of 1848. These started in places like Sicily and the German states. The French Revolution of 1848 also led to more changes.
These tough conditions caused many Europeans to move to the Americas.
New Settlers Come to Puerto Rico
Hundreds of people from Corsica, Italy, France, Portugal, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany came to Puerto Rico. They were attracted by the offer of free land from Spain.
These new settlers agreed to the conditions. They had to promise loyalty to the Spanish Crown. They also had to promise to follow the Roman Catholic Church. Once they did this, they received a "Letter of Domicile." This meant they could live there.
After five years, settlers got a "Letter of Naturalization." This made them Spanish subjects. In 1870, Spain changed the law to attract non-Catholic Europeans. The Cortes of Cádiz passed a law allowing religious freedom in the islands.
What Happened Next?
The new settlers quickly learned the language and customs of Puerto Rico. Many married local people. A lot of them became important business owners and political leaders.
The Royal Decree stayed in effect until 1898. That year, Spain lost Puerto Rico and Cuba to the United States. This happened after the Spanish–American War, which ended with the Treaty of Paris. These were Spain's last two colonies in the Americas.
The original Spanish Royal Decree of Graces of 1815 is kept safe. You can find it in the General Archives of Puerto Rico. This is part of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
See also
In Spanish: Real Cédula de Gracias para niños
- Corsican immigration to Puerto Rico
- French immigration to Puerto Rico
- German immigration to Puerto Rico
- Irish immigration to Puerto Rico
- Spanish immigration to Puerto Rico
