Puerto Rico

A History of Colonialism

To understand Puerto Rico's current situation, it is vital to examine its past. The history of Puerto Rico's colonial status predates the U.S. invasion in 1898. After 400 years as a colony of Spain, on November 25, [Page 1087]1897, the island of Puerto Rico achieved a measure of autonomy from a weakened Spanish crown. Puerto Ricans were granted an insular parliament that had vast powers over the laws concerning the business of the island. Although Spain retained power over most foreign matters, Puerto Ricans had the right to negotiate commercial treaties and import and export duties. The measure of self-government that Puerto Rico achieved was noteworthy and short-lived.

On April 25, 1898, the United States declared war on Spain. A few months later on July 25, 1898, the United States invaded Puerto Rico and soon established a military government on the island. Spain ceded Puerto Rico, along with Cuba and the Philippines and other territories, to the United States as part of the Treaty of Paris. Since that time, the status of Puerto Rico and its relationship to the United States has been unresolved. Although the terms of the relationship have shifted over the years, since 1898 Puerto Rico has been a territory of the United States.

Two organic laws determined the terms of this relationship. The Foraker Act of 1900 decreed that a governor appointed by the president of the United States would manage Puerto Rico. Presidential appointees would also head most established departments as well as the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. All applicable U.S. laws were now enforceable in Puerto Rico. In essence, Puerto Rico lost many of the rights it had gained under the Spanish Autonomy Charter. The second organic law, the Jones Act of 1917, decreed that Puerto Ricans were citizens of the United States. They also gained a legislature elected by Puerto Ricans. However, this was a second-class citizenship given that the president of the United States and the U.S. Congress continued to have control of most important positions of power in the government. In addition, they had veto power over any laws enacted by the Puerto Rican legislative branch.

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