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The U.S. Involvement in Puerto Rico: From Spanish Rule to American Commonwealth

This overview discusses the United States' involvement in Puerto Rico, beginning with the invasion on July 26, 1898, during the Spanish-American War. The U.S. obtained Puerto Rico uncontested, which Spain ceded in December 1898 as part of the Treaty of Paris. Local reactions ranged from a desire for independence to acceptance of U.S. governance as an improvement over Spanish rule. The Jone-Shafroth Act established a Bill of Rights, allowing Puerto Ricans to draft their own constitution and expanded military involvement. The impact on local economy, culture, and political aspirations is explored.

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The U.S. Involvement in Puerto Rico: From Spanish Rule to American Commonwealth

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  1. Puerto Rico By: Melissa Chernow, Christina Diana, and Hayley Keith

  2. How US got involved • US invaded PR July 26, 1898 • Gloucester fired at Spanish blockhouse • US obtained PR uncontested • Ceded to US by Spain in Dec. 1898 • Part of the Treaty of Paris

  3. Justification vs. Motives Justifications Motives Secure station for warships to refuel Opportunity for tropical agriculture profits Guarantees presence of US naval forces in Caribbean • Citizens out of poverty • Making jobs • US compelled to expand imperialism • Felt PR should not be subjected to Spanish misrule

  4. Reaction of local population • Citizens originally desired full independence • Resulted in PR citizenship in America • PR welcomed US  saw as improvement over Spanish rule • PR dissatisfied with US instability and rule • sugar plantations, poverty, and cultural threat • Many still desired independence whereas some Puerto Ricans wanted statehood

  5. Final Result • JoneShafroth Act created Bill of Rights • 3 branches of government • Could now join US Army • WWII  Puerto Rico is an important military and naval base • Economy grew • Granted right to draft own constitution • Puerto was proclaimed as freely associated as a US commonwealth

  6. Superman or Mafia Don

  7. Were actions beneficial? • Established public school system • Managed government finances • Regulated work conditions/built sanitation networks • Public works (highways) • Separated church and state powers- religious tolerance

  8. Puerto Rico in Relation to US

  9. List of Works Cited • "Maps of the Caribbean Sea & Island of Puerto Rico." Caribbean Wedding Planning; Puerto Rico Destination Wedding Planners. Web. 07 Oct. 2010. <http://www.caribbeanplanning.com/caribbean-map.htm>. • "Puerto Ricans Become U.S. Citizens, Are Recruited for War Effort — History.com This Day in History — 3/2/1917." History.com — History Made Every Day — American & World History. Web. 08 Oct. 2010. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/puerto-ricans-become-us-citizens-are-recruited-for-war-effort>. • "Spanish-American War (Spain-United States) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia." Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/558008/Spanish-American-War>.

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