The Origin of Provincial Councils in the Spanish Monarchy and Their Imprint in Cuba

Abstract

In the present work, the historical and legal process of the provincial councils in Spain and their projection in Cuba during the nineteenth century is analysed. The particularity of the study lies in its organization into sections that address, in a chronological and thematic manner, the normative provisions, the institutional functioning, and their impact on territorial management. This structure makes it possible to assess the legal foundations as well as the practical experiences that characterized the development of these institutions. The context of the research is the relationship between the Spanish monarchy and its overseas territories in a period of political reforms and colonial tensions. The social problem lies in the need to develop an administrative model capable of responding to diverse local realities. As a result, it is concluded that the provincial councils contributed to shaping an intermediate, hybrid system of government that was limited in its colonial application.