1940 Constitution of Cuba

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The 1940 Constitution of Cuba, was implemented in 1940, during the presidency of Federico Laredo Brú. It was primarily influenced by the collectivist ideas that inspired the Cuban Revolution of 1933. Widely considered one of the most "progressive" constitutions in existence at the time, it provided for land reform, public education, minimum wage and other leftist ideas. It consisted of 286 articles in 19 sections and took six months to write.

The Constitution of 1940, (a) substantiated voting as a right, obligation and function of the people; (b) endorsed the previously established form of government, specifically republican, democratic and representative; (c) confirmed individual rights and privileges including private property rights; and (d) introduced the notion of collective rights.

Under the Constitution of 1940, the separation between the three branches of government remained, but with obvious distinctions. Specifically,(a) the role of the prime minister was introduced; (b) the executive branch converted to semi-parliamentary form, where half of its ministers could also be congressmen; and (c) Congress’ form was changed to one representative in the house to every 35,000 citizens or greater fraction of 17,500, and nine senators per province.

The Constitution of 1940 ratified the power and separation of the judiciary. Specifically, the judicial branch remained autonomous and empowered to nominate judges and magistrates. Like the Constitution of 1901, and the U.S. Constitution, Supreme Court justices were appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate. In addition, the Constitution of 1940 instituted a Court of Constitutional and Social Guarantees (the “Constitutional Court”) under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction. The Constitutional Court was empowered to hear labor and constitutional law matters, and determine remedies for violations thereof.

Under the Constitution of 1940, (a) provincial government was terminated; the provincial councils, however, endured, but were now composed of the mayors of various municipalities incorporated into each province; (b) the governor’s power to suspend mayors ceased, while the municipalities gained the right to tax locally; (c) public expenses and budgeting at all levels became subject to a ministerial officer under the auspices of a newly created Court of Public Administration; and (d) a Court of Public Works was instituted.

The constitutional amendment clause was very strictly enforced in the Constitution of 1940. Title XIX, article 285 (a)-(b) of the Constitution of 1940, required a constitutional convention to modify the language of the Constitution. Congress, however, was authorized to make minor reforms to the document; provided, however, that the following requirements were adhered to: (a) quorum (joint session); (b) two thirds vote of the total number of legislators; and (c)“doble consideración” or consideration of the proposed amendments at two consecutive legislative sessions.

Additionally, the Constitution of 1940 could also be reformed via a referendum clause. The most notable difference between the Constitution of 1901 and the Constitution of 1940 was the addition of constitutional protection for issues relating to family, culture, property and labor. Without constitutional antecedents and expertise in the area of protection of social rights, the drafters of the Constitution of 1940 sought guidance from Spain’s “Constitución de la Segunda República Española” and Germany’s “Weimar Constitution.” The Constitution of 1940 was only in effect for 12 years.

Following a coup d'état by Fulgencio Batista in 1952, parts of this constitution were suspended. Prior to the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro and the other revolutionaries, through the Manifiesto of the Sierra [1], claimed that their chief goal was to reinstate the Constitution of 1940. However, the revolutionaries reneged on their promise and abrogated the Constitution of 1940 once in power.

[edit] The signers of this Constitution were:

  • Carlos Márquez Sterling y Guiral, President of the Constitutional Convention
  • Alberto Boada Miquel, Secretary the Constitutional Convention
  • Emilio Núñez Portuondo, Secretary the Constitutional Convention
  • Salvador Acosta Casares
  • Francisco Alomí y Álvarez de la Campa
  • Rafael Álvarez González
  • José R. Andréu Martínez
  • Manuel Benítez González
  • Antonio Bravo Acosta
  • Antonio Bravo Correoso
  • Fernando del Busto Martínez
  • Juan Cabrera Hernández
  • Miguel Calvo Tarafa
  • Ramiro Capablanca Graupera
  • José Manuel Casanova Diviño
  • César Casas Rodríguez
  • Romárico Cordero Garcés
  • Ramón Corona García
  • Felipe Correoso y del Risco
  • José Manuel Cortina García
  • Miguel Covula Llaguno
  • Pelayo Cuervo Navarro
  • Eduardo Rene Chibás Rivas
  • Francisco Dellundé Mustelier
  • Mario E. Díhigo
  • Arturo Don Rodríguez
  • Manuel Dorta Duque
  • Nicolás Duarte Cajides
  • Mariano Esteva Lora
  • José A. Fernández de Castro
  • Orestes Ferrara Marino
  • Simeón Ferro Martínez
  • Manuel Fuego Suárez
  • Adriano Galano Sánchez
  • Salvador García Agüero
  • Félix García Rodríguez
  • Quintín Jorge Vernot
  • Ramón Granda Fernández
  • Ramón Grau San Martín
  • Rafael Guas Iclán
  • Alieda Hernández de la Barca
  • Alfredo Hornedo Suárez
  • Francisco Ichiazo Macias
  • Felipe Jay Raoulx
  • Emilio A. Laurent Dubet
  • Amaranto López Negrón
  • Jorge Mañach Robato
  • Juan Marinello Vidaurreta
  • Antonio Martínez Fraga
  • Joaquín Martínez Sáenz
  • Jorge A. Mendigutía Silveira
  • Manuel Mesa Medina
  • Joaquín Meso Quesada
  • Gustavo Moreno Lastres
  • Eusebio Mujal Barniol
  • Delio Núñez Mesa
  • Emilio Ochoa Ochoa
  • Manuel A. Orizondo Caraballé
  • Manuel Parrado Rodés
  • Juan B. Pons Jané
  • Francisco José Prieto Llera
  • Carlos Prío Socarrás
  • Santiago Rey Perna
  • Mario Robau Cartaya
  • Blas Roca Calderio
  • Primitivo Rodríguez Rodríguez
  • Esperanza Sánchez Mastrapa
  • Alberto Silva Quiñones.
  • César Vilar Aguilar
  • Fernando del Villar de los Ríos
  • María Esther Villoch Leyva

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