"FREEMASONRY AND NATIONALISM IN THE MILITARY GEOPOLITICS OF ELITE REVO" by Juan Manuel Vazquez Montero

Date of Award

Fall 2024

Language

English

Embargo Period

12-3-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

Department of Latin American, Caribbean and U.S. Latino Studies

Program

Spanish - Latin American, Caribbean, and Latina/o Studies

First Advisor

Prof. Alejandra Bronfman

Second Advisor

Prof. Pedro Caban

Third Advisor

Prof. Karin Reinhold

Committee Members

Alejandra Bronfman, Pedro Caban, Karin Reinhold.

Keywords

Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines, Nationalism, Latin America, Caribbean, Spanish American War, Imperialism, Neocolonialism, Colonialism, Freemasonry, Elite Revolution, Wars of Independence, Dependency, World Systems

Subject Categories

American Studies | Asian American Studies | Asian History | Banking and Finance Law | Caribbean Languages and Societies | Catholic Studies | Christianity | Civil Rights and Discrimination | Cognitive Science | Cultural History | Diplomatic History | East Asian Languages and Societies | Economic History | Economics | Engineering | Ethnic Studies | European History | European Languages and Societies | History of Science, Technology, and Medicine | History of the Pacific Islands | Indigenous Studies | International Economics | International Law | Latin American History | Latin American Languages and Societies | Latina/o Studies | Military History | Native American Studies | Pacific Islands Languages and Societies | Political Economy | Political History | Puerto Rican Studies | Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies | Regional Economics | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social History | Social Justice | South and Southeast Asian Languages and Societies | United States History

Abstract

Framed in World Systems Theory and expanding on Elite Revolutions Theory, this research analyzes the role that Freemasonry had within the revolutionary events which shaped Latin America’s future during the 19th century and decisively contributed to the rise of the British Empire.

In doing so, this analysis intends to provide a comprehensive alternative to Dependency Theory by including foreign and marginal elites as geopolitical and geoeconomic actors. Often overseen, these elements may be paramount in explaining the outcomes of these movements, particularly in the implementation of Neocolonial Imperialist systems of domination and its resulting situation of enduring Anglo dependence in the region. Their allegiance to these elite circles of power provides further grounds to understand some of the otherwise unexplainable, military actions and shortcomings of these movements, which ultimately served to propel the rise of the newly born British Empire as it consolidated consolidate its long-lasting grip over Latin America.

Far from vanishing, in lieu of the sound and enduring success of this elite tool of power, Freemasonry became a central and ever more perfected tool for neo imperial domination during the Anglo endeavors of expansion during the insular campaigns of 1898.

Incorporating geopolitical, geoeconomic, geosocial and geostrategic parameters in the comparative analysis of Cuba, PR and Filipinas, this research focuses on the 1898 events, its main actors within the Spanish Government and Armed forces and their actions thereby and explores the degree in which their Freemasonry allegiance may have contributed to the aftermath of the 1898 events.

Comments

Elite Nationalism and Neo Colonialism in World System Geopolitics and Geo Economics of Dependency.

License

This work is licensed under the University at Albany Standard Author Agreement.

Available for download on Thursday, December 03, 2026

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