Los Diez Mandamientos Analysis

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In the mid 19th century tension between the Spaniards and Puerto Ricans resulted in a massive uprising when Spain failed to conciliate the growing displeasure of its citizens. Spain involved itself in various issues all throughout Latin America. War in Peru and Chile, slave riots in Cuba, and loss of control in the Dominican Republic left the government of Spain in desperate need of financial support. As a result of their financial troubles the Spanish government imposed taxes on many of the imported and exported goods in Puerto Rico and Cuba. Of coarse, the taxes imposed only infuriated the Cubans and Puerto Ricans, turning their anger into violence. And thus occurred the Grito de Lares. With something bout hatred going both ways/mutual ……show more content…
By writing the Ten Commandments he demanded change and united raging Puerto Ricans. The article The troubles at Porto Rico, August 1871 is written by a New York Times journalist discussing the rising tension during the time of imposed taxes and mistreatment of the negroes. EXAMPLES In the article the author's choice of words describe the existing tension with multiple signs of farvorism/agreement/preference toward the Spanish soldiers. Although his identity and his personal connection to the situation are not indicated, the author's continuous refferrence to the natives as "hot headed radicals" clearly shows his stance on the issue at hand. The journalist informs readers about the "disgust" Puerto Ricans had for the Spanish volunteer companies organized throughout the island and, with an interesting choice of adjetives, subtley voices/intertwines his opinion while reporting the rock-throwing incident that trigerred the beginning of the…show more content…
Though showing a clear form of favortism to Spain, the article does include some information about the opposing side and attempts to bring everything together by somewhat equaling/ conforming the two stances at the end "Either story is improbable, and the true explanation of the occurrence may be summed up in the fact that the natives, black and white, hate and execrate the Spaniards, and that the feeling is mutual" (Troubles at Porto Rico).Where as, the Los Diez Mandamientos de Hombres Libres being a historical document with much importance, is undoubtedly in the favor of the Puerto Rican people and is more successful at pushing for/motivating/forcing the reader to look into additional research. With this, I do not mean to bash Betances, he was very much involved in the fight for freedom of the Puerto Ricans, but when evaluating the two documents in regards to which one provides the reader with a better/more attainable understanding his does seem more
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