Puerto Rico
... The existence of Puerto Rico in its current state however provides an interesting look into United States colonial policies as the question of Puerto Rican independence is coming to the forefront of both United States and Puerto Rican politics. In the last internal referendum on this issue the people of Puerto Rico voted overwhelmingly to maintain the status quo thus remaining a Commonwealth. ... Why are the people of Puerto Rico unwilling to choose their status, what are the divisions and what are the ramifications for the people of Puerto Rico? The discussion of the Puerto Rico issue has been a highly abstract one for several decades, demonstrating the problems inherent in status change. The United States Government and the general populace in Puerto Rico are content with their status as it is today. ... Quite simply Puerto Rico wants to become part of the United States, not part of America. To understand the drive for a status decision the history of Puerto Rico must be explored and understood. ... When Christopher Columbus landed in Puerto Rico in 1943 he claimed it for Spain. ... During a period spanning the 16th through 19th century Puerto Rico was characterized mainly by under population, poverty and general neglect by Spain. ... Nineteenth century Puerto Rico was characterized by a series of strict military governors, which stifled the independence movements on the island, the likes of which were rumbling the foundations of its other American colonies. ... In 1873, however, slavery was finally abolished in Puerto Rico (Cripps 104). In 1897 the Autonomic Charter granted by the Spanish government established home rule for the first time and Puerto Rico was given the status of a Spanish dominion. This autonomy was short lived as the United States defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War and was ceded Puerto Rico in 1898. The Foraker Act of 1901 established the relationship of the United States with Puerto Rico and many of its provisions are still active. During this period Puerto Rican citizens were in limbo as they werent citizens of Spain and the title Puerto Rican citizen, although it applied, meant little, as Puerto Rico was not a free country nor legally part of another. This ambiguity was finally solved by the Jones act of 1917 through which Puerto Ricans became American citizens and Puerto Rico became an unincorporated territory of the United States. (Heine, The Puerto Rico Question 10) This transition to American rule did not include a carryover of the rights Puerto Ricans had under Spanish law. These rights included seats in the Spanish Congress, the right to vote on matters heard by that body, the right to participate in negations between Spain and other countries which would have an impact on Puerto Rico’s economy and the right to accept these treaties or not and the right to develop taxes and tariffs with regard to trade on the island (Rodriguez, Puerto Rican Studies 439). During the years between 1900 and 1940, Puerto Rico and its people suffered through enormous hardships created by lack of jobs and by poor pay in those jobs that existed. ... In 1952 a new constitution made Puerto Rico an autonomous part of the United States called the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico.