The Exploitation of Puerto Rico by the United States Essay

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

The government has reasons why they are holding the principals of the Independence like making sure that all laws are equal to everybody. Some people don't think the Government is creating everything equal.

They also say that the voting was rigged so that the favor would go towards statehood. But there are spanish people in this country that speak spanish, also Puerto Rico has spoken that they want statehood.

So how is it that with the United Nations and changes in modern international, that Puerto Rican are still subjected to colonialization? The bourgeoisie is to blame. In an era where it is not legitimate to storm the shore of an island with guns or rain down bombs from the skies, the United States and other western imperialist natation’s use the national bourgeoisie to maintain the status quo and subjugate the proletariat. This is evident by the division in political activism within NSGTs and Puerto Rico. Dating back to the seizure of Puerto Rico by the United States of America, political parties comprised of the national bourgeoisie and the proletariat, have never united despite the fact that they both claim they fight for freedom. The national bourgeoisie is only intent on seeking freedom for themselves, a freedom that mimics the imperialistic nature of their masters. A freedom where only a few reap the benefits of the

Puerto Rico is an island that is impacted by not having enough land for cultivation. The Three thousand four hundred and ninety-two square miles of this island is about seventy-five percent hills or mountains (Worldmark Encyclopedia of the States b). With the large amount of land consisting of hill or mountains, Puerto Rico has limited amounts of natural resources. While under Spanish colonial rule, the island was largely neglected because of its limited mineral resources. Following the Spanish-American war in 1898, the U.S. took over control of the island. The U.S. found itself in control of an island that produced small scale amounts of sugar and coffee. The U.S would then expand the sugarcane operations and establish markets to use as a viable trade resource.

Most Americans, don’t know how Puerto Rico got the way it is and like Nelson said many believe that the debt we have is one that was 100% our fault. However, most don’t understand the deep history and relationship Puerto Rico has with the United States and how the way we have and continued to be treated has a lot to do with the debt Puerto Rico

What impaired their independence was ultimately up to America and this gave the power to control Cuban affairs.

Many politicians have different views on what Puerto Rico should do. Should the island become a State, stay a Commonwealth, or become independent. Either way, it would benefit the island.

Initially, the United States wanted and cherished Puerto Rico as a war prize, a way to protect its interests and reinforce the idea among other empires, political leaders, and governments that it was a supreme power by taking over the last Caribbean and Pacific colonies that Spain had. But that was all they had in mind for the island; never was Puerto Rico meant to be a state, not even a territory but just a possession with which the U.S. Government could do whatever it wanted to.

Eventually the Platt Amendment was removed from Cuba’s constitution but the naval base at Guantanamo Bay remained. According to document number seven Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Cuba are lucky that Americans stepped in their affairs because the US is protecting them with justice and safety. America will also establish order and equality in these places. According to the textbook to protect American investments McKinley set up military governments on Puerto Rico and Cuba. The US set up a military base at Guantanamo Bay and the US controls affairs with Puerto Rico such as interstate trade, military, and

To argue on Puerto Rican Independence, Commonwealth, or Statehood, we must first learn of the history of Puerto Rico. Growing up I was very ignorant about Puerto Rico. It wasn’t till I was in the Navy and got stationed in Puerto Rico did I really find out the small Caribbean island. Although Puerto Rico has an extensive history, I will only give a brief synopsis of it: In November 1493 Christopher Columbus discovered the island of Puerto Rico for the country of Spain. It remained a colonization of Spain until 1898 when Spain ceded the island to the United States after the Spanish-American war. In 1917 Puerto Rican’s became U.S. Citizens, but only 24% consider themselves as American (2000 census). Puerto Rico was also granted its own

Latino culture, specifically Puerto-Rican culture has changed through the course of history. Puerto Rico has witnessed a fusion of races and cultures spanning over many years, starting in 1898, after the Spanish-American war. Ultimately, Puerto Rico was annexed to the United States, the Puerto Rican people made United States citizens with limited restrictions and granted commonwealth status. The changes made during those eras did not come without consequences to the Puerto Rican culture. In "Poisoned Story", author Rosario Ferre depicts the political and economic changing norms and tensions between the social classes of the Puerto Rican's culture. In Ferre's story "Poisoned Story" several major themes are prevalent through the story:

The first Socialist Party composed of Puerto Ricans was established in 1918. At around this time, the Asociacion Nationalista was established, composed of Puerto Rican Nationalists. Los Corsarios, which was an anarchist circle, that published newspaper entitled El Corsario and was composed mainly of dock workers and tabaqueros was also in existence. These groups, and the others that existed, tell a lot about the political history of this time. First and foremost, they are examples that help explain the term Class Politics for the people that made up each group were from the same working class and race did not matter. Secondly, they demonstrate the fact that Puerto Ricans were in a way more separated form each other and therefore that is why they were not so influential at the time. To read a little more on the lack of unity among Puerto Ricans, you can read Shakira Ramos' paper The organizations may have provided a form of support for the migrants but they did not really work towards bettering the community as a whole. Puerto Ricans held a strong nostalgia for their home country which prevented them from advancing in the United States.

As the people prove over and over that joining with America may be for the better, although there are few complications with the people and their government. Even though many support statehood Puerto Rico has yet became the fifty first state. The citizens understand how dire their financial issues are at the time. They want the same rights as Americans and to live under the laws of protection. Still, the people who do not support statehood say otherwise.

The politics of Puerto Rico takes place in the framework of a republican democratic form of government that is under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United States as an organized unincorporated territory.