Puerto Rican Economy

Juan Gonzalez discusses the historical relationship between Puerto Rico and the U.S. in Harvest of an Empire, interestingly enough the author’s family were a part of the surge of Puerto Ricans emigrated to New York in 1946. With the signing of the Treaty of Paris the Spanish-American War came to a close with Puerto Rico now under the control of the U.S. along with Cuba, Guam, and the Philippians. In 1900 the Foraker Act established Puerto Rico as a U.S. territory, but it had less autonomy than when under the control of Spain. The Foraker Act allowed the U.S. to dominate the economy of Puerto Ricans by replacing the peso with the dollar and not allowing for any outside commercial treaties. Challenges were unsuccessful with the dreadful ruling

Many newspapers and magazines displayed a common trend that the inclusion of the words Hispanic, Latino, and poverty were all being used together frequently. It was as if “Hispanics” and “poor” were just two words that always went along with one another. This does not put out a good image of the Hispanic community because there are Hispanic groups that do well for themselves such as the Cubans. On the other hand, the Mexican American group’s progress seems to be at stagnation. Persistent discrimination can be seen as one of the reasons as to why many of these minority groups are failing to close the gap between them and the whites. The poor may climb at a healthy rate, but if the rich are climbing at an even healthier and faster rate, then that gap will still exist. The Hispanic population grows at an alarming rate, but this infuses all of the people who were immigrants and

I will be discussing how the country of Puerto Rico’s impact of resource scarcity, issues with boundary delineation, separatism and sovereignty issues, poverty, migration, legacies of colonialism and imperialism, global climate change and its impact. The once poor nation of Puerto Rico now seems to be a stepping stone for trading in the Caribbean. With its location in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico is a major asset for shipping lanes. One of the main reasons the U.S. wanted to take over this land. Its geographical location is important in helping to move resources around the world, as well as keeping an eye on Cuba. The economic system of

In 1990, 41 percent of Puerto Rican children were living in poverty, compared to 32 percent of Mexican-American children, 22 percent of Central/South

Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and independent United States region that is embellished with a countryside of green mountains, cascading waterfalls, and tropical forests. However, it is best known for its white sandy beaches. Here one can snorkel, surf, and sail. San Juan is the capital and often visited as a tourist location. One can find bars located beachside, fabulous nightspots, and casinos. The reason for choosing Puerto Rico is because it is similar to the United States in many ways. There has always been a desire to travel there to teach English in this country. Having meet some citizens from the country and had friends that experienced life there as an exchange student has only heightened the desire to move there.

New York City's fastest growing immigrant group are Dominicans, a Spanish speaking people, flocking from the Dominican Republic to the United States, New York City in specific. In 1980 the Dominican population in NYC was 125,380, in 1990 it was 332,713, and today in 1999 it is an estimated 500,000 people. The only problem with this is through the years of their migration to America, their per capita income has declined precipitously. It seems as though when the Dominican population in America increases, their income as a whole decreases. Nearly half of the Dominicans in NYC live below the poverty level. In 1990 29% of Dominicans where on welfare. Of foreign people immigrating to the U.S., only people from the former Soviet Union had a higher percentage of people living on public assistance. From 1989 to 1996 their per capita income declined 23% to $6,094 a year, in inflation adjusted dollars, while their poverty rate rose from 37% to 46%, that is almost double for the city as a whole. Unemployment also rose from 17.2% in 1990 to 18.8% in 1996 (Lopez, p. 3). The source of these severe economic problems

Puerto Rico, whose word meaning is “rich port” in Spanish, is a beautiful Island located in the middle of the Caribbean. Its strategic location made it a must have territory to the Spaniards who colonized it over four hundred years before the United States took a special interest. It all started in the year 1898, with the Treaty of Paris Puerto Rico now is property of the United States. After centuries of being led by Sevilla and Madrid, Puerto Rico was now forced to look upon Washington. The series of events leading the Spanish-American War changed Puerto Rico permanently. From changing the Island’s name from Porto Rico to Puerto Rico to Americanizing the Puerto Rican people in all ways possible, the acquisition of Puerto Rico from the United States had numerous economic, social and political impacts.

military control was to end, Puerto Rico would use the monetary system of the U.S., Puerto Ricans did not have to pay federal taxes, Puerto Ricans were not U.S. citizens, and the governor was to be appointed by the President and Congress but there would be a two-chamber legislature. Downs vs. Biddell was the Puerto Rican reaction to the Foraker Act. The Jones Act 1917, advocated by Munoz Rivera, granted U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans, election of legislators, introduced the draft system, issued a Bill of Rights, and granted male suffrage. Balzac vs. Puerto Rico in 1920 was the reaction to the Jones Act asking for the same rights as Hawaii and Alaska. However, the efforts did not prove to be a success.The right to elect their own governor was granted in 1947. Munoz Marn, son of Luis Munoz Rivera, was the first elected governor in 1948. Three distinct ideologies on Puerto Rico’s status emerged in the 20th century Independence, Commonwealth, and Statehood. In plebiscites on the island, the Puerto Ricans have chosen to maintain commonwealth status. Operation Bootstrap 1940’s planned industrial progress. This was the turning point in Puerto Rico’s economy. The project gave protection to U.S. markets, gave tax exemptions to industries, and gave Puerto Ricans jobs. The results were more jobs, better sanitation, a rising middle class, role of women, and added money to the

What's a common location that comes up in discussion when someone thinks of a destination to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the Main land of the United States? Normally Puerto Rico isn't too far away from conversation. Puerto Rico is a beautiful place with the perfect climate and many historical sites to take that getaway that you have always wanted. Today we will discuss major issues in/of Puerto Rico, the significance of this research and data sources, and lastly I will describe the data collected and research found during my inquiry on the region known as Puerto Rico

The experience Puerto Rice has had in the few thousands has been rough to say. They have been under the control of two separate countries. Their native people practically extinct, and they still cannot again their own independence till this day like they had 5,000 years ago. To understand the history of Puerto Rico and how they became a part of the United States, you have to go back a few thousand years. There is not much ancient history surrounding present day Puerto Rico as there is with the ancient empires such as the Mayans, Aztecs, and the Incas. There are some scholars that suggest that a tribe of Ortoiroid people who came from South America arrived and inhabited the land, dating back to about 4,000 years ago. The more known history

However, this system of measuring poverty is flawed because if a family makes a dollar more above the set limit, they do not qualify for financial help from the government (NCCP, 2008).The poverty threshold is an inadequate measure of whether people are considered poor or not. Current poverty measures are flawed because it assumes how much a family spends and does not accurately include family resources such as Earned Income Tax Credit (NCCP, 2008). The way that the government measures poverty is based on outdated information that was set in the 60s. Because it has not been sufficient to keep up with the standard of living, those who are living in “high cost cities like New York and those who live in rural areas of the country” (NCCP, 2008) are barely getting by.

The commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico), known to most Americans as simply Puerto Rico, exists as one of two territories owned by the United States1. Being a territory of the United States, Puerto Ricans possess common citizenship, currency, and defense. However, even though Puerto Ricans are United States citizens they do not pay any kind of federal income taxes. Therefore, they cannot vote in presidential elections. Puerto Rico is under the jurisdiction of the United States customs, and are allowed free movement of people and merchandise with the United States. They have established their own constitution, and have a greater amount of independence than possessions. Although

Having thought of all the offers that were thrown on the table to them as they made their way into the United States of America, like being told that if Puerto Rican men joined the army they would have better possibilities in having a more prosperous life on the mainland. Even though the U.S. tried to promote Puerto Rico as a glamorous tourist destination, in the early 20th century the island of Puerto Rico suffered a severe economic depression. Because of this depression, poverty was widespread, and few of the island’s residents could afford the long boat journey to the mainland, therefore because of the continuing depression in Puerto Rico made many Puerto Ricans eager for a fresh start, and this then led to the fast recruiting of U.S. factory owners and employment agencies on the island. In addition, the postwar years saw the return home of thousands of Puerto Rican war veterans, whose service in the U.S. military had shown them the world. But perhaps the most significant cause was the sudden availability of affordable air travel. After centuries of immigration by boat, the Puerto Rican migration became the first great airborne migration in U.S. history.

Integrating Puerto Rico into the United States and changing its political status to state would be a great accomplishment on the United States part. Puerto Rico is facing many obstacles not just economically but also government wise, the structure of the government causes many problems to arise. Also the residents of the island are not provided with all the benefits and rights that are provided by the government to the states, Which is why it would be a great upgrade of the island to be integrated as a state.

Not many may know that Puerto Rico is considered to be American territory. Soon people all over America will know because Puerto Rico could possibly become the fifty first state or could be separated from America completely. Most of Puerto Ricans would like statehood 61% to be exact, this citizens would like to be united with America once and for all. There are some Puerto Ricans would like to be free association and the amount is 33% citizens who want a relationship without political territory with a degree of statehood with America. The last percentage are the citizens who want to be independent which is 5%. As the percentage shows most Puerto Ricans would like to become the fifty first state of America and add one more star onto America.