The document discusses the history of United States involvement in Puerto Rico from 1898-1985. It notes that Puerto Rico became a US territory after the Spanish-American War of 1898. Key policies the US implemented included the Foraker Act of 1900, which established civilian government but kept Puerto Rico as a US colony, and the Jones Act of 1917, which made Puerto Ricans US citizens but without the right to vote. The US intervention had both positive impacts like improvements to infrastructure, health and education, but also negative impacts such as cultural and economic changes that increased inequality and nationalist opposition to colonial rule.

1. UNITED STATES AND
THE CARIBBEAN 1776 -
1985

2. UNITED STATES AND PUERTO RICO
(1898)

3. IN THIS PRESENTATION WE WILL DISCUSS:
● INTRODUCTION OF UNITED STATES IN THE CARIBBEAN
● HOW DID PUERTO RICO BECAME A TERRITORY OF THE UNITED
STATES
● WHY WERE THE UNITED STATES INTERESTED IN PUERTO RICO
● POLICIES THAT THE UNITED STATES IMPLEMENTED IN PUERTO
RICO
● POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF UNITED STATES
INTERVENTION

4. INTRODUCTION OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE CARIBBEAN
Before the thirteen colonies in the United States got their independence from Britain, their main
focus was on trade. The United States were trading giants in the Caribbean. After 1776, the
year the United States got their independence they started to aim for dominance, and world
power.They set out with plans of expansion, trade, investing and americanizing other
territories.This movement was all linked to the manifest destiny. After the United States set out
on the course of dominance, they came up with policies such as:Monroe Doctrine, Dollar
Diplomacy, Platt Amendment, Good Neighbour Policy, Roosevelt Corollary And Big Stick
Policy, to aid them in the quest for dominance. The United States was now a target for other
world leading countries such as Russia, Spain and Britain. The United States used the
Caribbean for three main reasons: Defense, investment and trade, and ideology. With these
three in mind to capture the Caribbean, they started their campaign.

5. HOW DID PUERTO RICO BECOME A TERRITORY OF
THE UNITED STATES?

6. Agitation for home rule in Puerto Rico lasted throughout most of the nineteenth century, and culminated
in 1898 when Spain introduced the Charter of Autonomy, that granted self-government to the Puerto
Ricans. Under this charter, Puerto Ricans were accorded an elected Chamber of Representatives and a 15
member Council of Administration (a Senate), eight of whom were elected by Puerto Rico, the remaining
seven were nominated by the Governor General appointed by the Crown.
Under the Charter, general elections were held in March 1898. Puerto Ricans, for the first time since the
Spanish settled on the island, were free from Spanish government restrictions. However, this freedom was
short-lived. The Spanish-American War of 1898 spread to all Spain's overseas colonies, and in June/July,
an American expeditionary force was sent to Puerto Rico. The island was taken by August. The people, for
the most part, welcomed the American soldiers, and there was little resistance because most Puerto Ricans
thought they would be better off materially and politically under the United States,
The Treaty of Paris of December 1898, made the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico American territories
but not states of the United States. Spain was a to be paid $20 million for the loss of these territories. The
important constitutional advance made by Puerto Rico earlier in the year was lost, as Puerto Rico changed
her Spanish 'master' for an American 'master'.

7. WHY WAS THE UNITED STATES
INTERESTED IN PUERTO RICO?

8. DEFENSE
The distant from Puerto Rico to the United States was very close. The United States did not
want the enemies to use this country to do a sneak attack on them. Puerto Rico was strategically
located. The island commanded the eastern passage to enter the Caribbean. By this means any
enemy of the U.S. could enter the Gulf of Mexico- America's backyard. The island was close to
the American mainland. If the U.S. controlled it they would be better able to prevent European
countries from occupying it. The U.S. intended to build a canal in the Central American
mainland. The island was a perfect place to build a naval base to protect the canal.

9. INVESTMENTS
Millions of American dollars and capital were invested in agriculture, especially sugar
and tobacco. They also invested in banking, manufacturing and public utilities.

10. TRADE-MARKET OUTLET
She (Puerto Rico) would become one of the sure markets for American manufactured
goods while at the same time providing her with raw materials to feed her industries.

11. IDEOLOGICAL
This would be another island where she could spread her superior ideology. After the
signing of the treaty Puerto Rico no longer belonged to Spain, she was now a
protectorate (a state) of the U.S. The island was subjected to American military rule
1898 to 1900. Thereafter an American appointed governor and a council whose
members were nominated by Americans formed the government. The island's
political system and operations were however governed by the Foraker or First
Organic Act.

12. POLICIES THAT THE UNITED STATES
IMPLEMENTED IN PUERTO RICO.

13. FORAKER ACT 1900
The first Organic Act of Puerto Rico known as the Foraker Act was passed in 1900. It replaced
military government with civilian government. Under this Act, Puerto Rico virtually became a
colony of the U.S. The governor was appointed by the U.S. president and the Americans
dominated the executive council and the cabinet. As head of government departments and
senators, the American executive prevented adoption of measures they disliked, even though
they might have had the support of Puerto Rican Legislators. There was significant economic
development in the sugar and coffee industries with heavy investment of U.S. capital but the
majority of Puerto Ricans became mere employees of the big U.S. companies. Improvements in
public transport, utilities, sanitation, health and education, and communications were welcome
benefits of U.S. control but the price was loss of political control and self-government for Puerto
Rico.

14. JONES ACT 1917
Under this Act, Puerto Rico became a territory of the U.S. and was given its own Bill
of Rights but not statehood under the U.S. constitution. The executive and legislative
branches of government were separated. U.S. citizenship was extended to Puerto
Ricans with a provision for refusing citizenship. However no provision was made for
Puerto Rican citizenship, which in effect meant that anyone who refused U.S.
citizenship had no political rights. Puerto Rican nationalists were strongly opposed to
this Second Organic Act. During the succeeding years the National Party in
particular resorted to such techniques as violence, confrontation with the police,
street demonstrations, terrorism and armed revolt aimed at ending American
colonialism in Puerto Rico.

15. JONES ACT 1917 (CONTINUED)
During the 1920’s and 1930’s a rapid economic exploitation of Puerto Rico was undertaken by U.S.
Companies. Small firms gave way to large plantation type corporations engaged in the production of sugar
and coffee. Central processing factories, new roads and railways, improved agricultural methods and
expanded credit facilities from American banks greatly increased production, but most of the profit went into
U.S. hands. New industries created jobs but American control of the economy with its emphasis on production
for export led to an attitude of consumerism. The lot of the Puerto Rican worker remained deplorable with
the gap widening between the rich and poor. Rural populations dislocated by American land acquisition
drifted to coastal towns to escape from the desperate economic and social conditions, or emigrated to the U.S.
There were also benefits from American rule. Measures were introduced to clear slums, clean streets and for
the mass vaccination of the population against diseases. The legal system was modernized. Schools were built
and equipped, teaching methods improved and universities established. A programme was begun for forest
conservation. A fishing industry was developed. Laws were introduced for improved conditions for labour
which included an eight-hour day, safety regulations and modern work practices.

16. JONES ACT 1917 (CONTINUED)
However, nationalist parties in Puerto Rico were not satisfied with Puerto Rico’s
status as a U.S. colony or ‘territory’. Although Puerto Ricans were granted U.S.
citizenship they were not eligible to vote in U.S. elections since they were not required
to pay U.S. taxes, nor make any contribution to their own defence. During and after
World War II the growth of nationalism and the process of decolonization world-
wide had its effect in Puerto Rico. The nationalist movement did not lead to
independence, but changes were made to allow Puerto Ricans a greater share in
government. In 1946 a Puerto Rican named Jesus T. Pinero was for the first time
appointed governor.

17. POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THE UNITED STATES
INTERVENTION IN PUERTO RICO

18. POSITIVE EFFECTS
1. Measures such as disinfecting slums and cleaning the streets were introduced.
2. Health benefits.
3. Old schools were improved while new ones were built and equipped.
4. Employment increased.
5. The legal system was simplified.
6. A forest conservation program was started.
7. Labor laws were passed introducing a eight hour workday.

19. NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF UNITED STATES
INTERVENTION IN PUERTO RICO

20. NEGATIVE EFFECTS
● Cultural Problems
● Social Problems
● Economic Problems
● Political Challenges