I. History of Puerto Rico

Hispanic Americans: Notes on Puerto Ricans

In many ways, the island of Puerto Rico and its inhabitants exemplify America's ambivalent attitude toward immigrants. Puerto Rico was essentially a prize that the United States won in its victory over Spain in the Spanish-American War. The United States was eager to obtain a strategically important island from which access to the Caribbean could be controlled, but was reluctant to provide the levels of economic assistance needed to increase the islanders' standard of living. On the other hand, Puerto Ricans, who had long struggled for independence from Spain, suddenly found themselves under the "protection" of the United States.

Today, the island occupies "commonwealth status"-- As a protectorate of the United States, it is not truly independent, nor does it have representation in the U.S. Congress. But it does elect its own government and receives social and economic aid from this country. Its residents are U.S. citizens (unless they formally reject citizenship in writing), but do not pay U.S. Income Taxes. Periodically, the island holds a plebiscite which provokes hot debate as to the three options usually available: 1.) Statehood; 2.) independence; or 3.) the status-quo as a commonwealth of the United States. In all plebiscites, Puerto Ricans have opted for Commonwealth Status.

Mainland Americans vary in their opinions about what should be done with Puerto Rico. (The first) President, George Bush incurred the wrath of the Puerto Rican Independence Party when he indicated that he hoped Puerto Rico would vote to become this nation's 51st state. Others claim that Puerto Rico would be too much of a burden for this country to manage. Puerto Ricans, themselves seem content to straddle the fence between complete independence and statehood by opting to continue the island's commonwealth status.

Review the notes that follow-- You are not expected to know any of the minute details. I've presented a brief historical sketch in an attempt to portray the struggle endured by Puerto Ricans over the last three centuries.

I. History of Puerto Rico

A. Early settlement-- (Puerto Rico has the oldest history of any of the Caribbean Islands):

1. Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico on his second voyage to the new world in 1493.

a. When he arrived, the island was inhabited by the TAINO (also called ARAWAK) Indians. It is not known when they first settled the island, but carbon dating of ancient artifacts indicates that the island has been inhabited since 100 AD.

2. For the next fifteen years, the Spaniards left Puerto Rico (called San Juan Bautista) alone, and the 30,000 TAINO inhabitants saw little of them except when they made occasional visits for trading, etc.

3. But then, in 1508, Ponce De Lion and a band of about 50 men established a settlement (Ciudad de Puerto Rico) on the island.

a. Ponce had made a secret deal with the Spanish governor of the Caribbean to search for gold on the island.

(1) The had noticed that the Indians were wearing gold rings and jewelry. (They asked them where they got the gold and the Indians took them to the beaches where gold nuggets would occasionally wash up on the shore).

b. During the next year, the Spaniards enjoyed warm relations with the Indians. They panned enough gold from the rivers to make the enterprise profitable, and Ponce's hopes for a small, quiet settlement where the Indians would not be abused seemed to be realized.

4. However, King Ferdinand soon learned of the island's excellent potential to fill his coffers and sent several of his family friends to exploit the island further.

5. Shortly thereafter the course of Puerto Rico followed that of other Caribbean islands-- thousands of Indians were enslaved (ostensively to be converted to Christianity) under the encomieda system--a combination of capitalism and feudalism.

6. All along the northern coast, the Spaniards opened mines and panning operations using the free slave labor of the Indians. In 1510, Ponce was appointed governor of the island, but was not granted power to "relinquish the repartimento" or the colonial ordinance that authorized the enslavement of the indians. Ponce, to his credit, tried to stop the abuse of the Indians but was unsuccessful.

7. The Indians rebelled in 1511 (after discovering the Spaniards were mortal by drowning a Spanish boy), but Ponce quashed it quickly and the Indians that were captured were sold into slavery. (Again, to Ponce's credit), none of the Indians in the sections of the island that he was able to control rebelled).

8. Even so, the King took more power from Ponce-- and eventually assuaged his hurt feelings by giving him permission to explore Florida. Ponce died in 1521 from wounds received in an encounter with the Florida Indians and his remains are interred in the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Juan. (At the time of his death the island was being referred to as Puerto Rico).

9. By 1540 the Spaniards had gotten just about all the gold they could from the island and the settlers turned to agriculture to boost the economy. The Indians had either fled to South America or (as in the case of most) perished from diseases brought from Europe by the colonists.

II. Agricultural economy

A. To promote settlement, the king allotted tracts of land ranging in size from 200 to 400 acres.

B. Blacks were brought in from Africa through Portuguese traders to replace the Indian slave labor.

1. Two types of farms developed:

a. subsistence farms (small plots worked by mestizos-- offspring of mixed parentage)… Mestizos were the forerunner of the island's large peasant class.

b. plantations-- run by immigrants of pure European Ancestry

C. Sugar was developed as major crop-- but mercantilist policies of the king lead to the collapse of the sugar trade in 1580's. (Sugar remained important throughout the island's history)

D. Colonists turned to ginger and animal husbandry also emerged as an important agricultural industry.

III. Early island growth and military importance

A. As the island grew in economic importance several things occurred:

1. The capital city was moved to its present site and renamed "San Juan." (The old settlement was plagued with mosquitoes and was insufficient to handle the increased harbor traffic.

2. England, France, and Holland increased their attempts to unseat the Hapsburg Monarchs which included attacks (some by privateers) against Spain's colonies in the Caribbean.

a. The city's inhabitants constructed a series of fortifications from the 1520's to 1540's-- many of which are still standing today.

(1) Casa Blanca

(2) Santa Catalina

(3) El Castillo de San Felipe del Morro (El Morro)

3. As a result of increased attacks by the English and French, the Captain General of the island was directed to enhance the island's general military preparedness.

a. New fortifications were constructed throughout the island and the militia was beefed up.

b. Despite the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588, Puerto Rico did well against English attacks in the 1590's.

(1) Sir Francis Drake's failed attack in 1594

(2) George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, succeeded in taking San Juan in 1598, but his victory was brief. An outbreak of influenza (that had earlier weakened the Puerto Ricans) weakened his troops to the point where the inhabitants were able to retake the city and drive the British off the island.

(3) The Dutch under Boudewijn Hendrikszoon lead a massive attack against San Juan in 1625 and held the Spanish under siege in El Morro for a month before they were able to manage a counterattack that drove the Dutch away.

c. In the 1640's the Spanish took major steps to fortify the city of San Juan and surrounding countryside.

IV. Puerto in the 17th through 19th centuries under Spanish Rule

A. Spanish mercantilist policies in the 1600's restricted international trade so harshly that by mid-17th century a thriving business in smuggling existed-- to the extent that nearly the entire population of the island was involved in one way or another!

B. According to one report commissioned by the king and submitted in 1765

1. the island's population had reached 45,000.

a. 40,000 free persons

b. 5,000 slaves

2. most of the population lived along the northeastern coast towns and earned their living through smuggling and the black market

C. Despite these conditions, Spain continued to place emphasis on the importance of Puerto Rico as a military post critical to its New World empire. Effective measures were not taken to improve its economic condition.

D. In 1797, France and Spain declared war on Britain. Britain wanted Puerto Rico and dispatched a fleet of 60 ships and 9,000 troops. This force landed and quickly laid siege to the capital, San Juan. But, as before, the islanders were successful in repelling the attack.

E. When Napoleon invaded Spain in 1808, several Latin American countries won independence from Spain. Fearing that Puerto Rico would attempt to become independent, the Spanish Cortes granted the island residents special citizenship status and dropped some tariffs. Later, when King Ferdinand VII resumed the throne, some of these provisions were continued to counter the movement for independence.

F. At the beginning of the 19th century, Puerto Ricans established very strong trading ties with the United States. However, Jefferson's trade embargo with the Spanish West Indies, England's effective blockade of the United States during the war of 1812 dampened things. Friction developed with Spain as it tried to continue its mercantilistic policy. But even the mother country recognized the futility of its efforts and erased the last vestiges of mercantilism in 1824. Ships of all nations could finally trade in Puerto Rican ports.

G. Between 1820 and 1900 the island's population grew from 150,000 to nearly a million.

H. Liberalization of Spanish rule that had begun in the first decade of the 1800's was overturned in 1823 when the constitutional government of Spain collapsed.

1. The king returned and appointed a series of 14 governors who reigned over 42 years.

a. Result: harsh oppression and martial law

(1) 2200 curfews

(2) execution of separatists; exile of sympathizers and government's critics and reformers

(3) banning facial hair

(4) requirements for internal passports restricting movement of island population

I. Hesitancy on the part of the Spanish crown to grant reforms increased separatist activity.

1. In 1863 several hundred Puerto Ricans took the town of LARES, arresting its officials, electing a provisional government, and proclaiming the "Republic of Puerto Rico."

a. Government troops squelched the rebellion, but in doing so gave rise to an anthem-- "El Grito de Lares" (The Shout of Lares)

(1) Even today this is a symbol of the Puerto Rican independence movement and pro-independence groups make pilgrimages to LARES.

J. In 1869 Spain granted Puerto Rico 11 seats on the re-convened Cortes.

1. It looked as though things would improve for the Island-- Spain enacted a program to abolish slavery and end the harsh "libreta" laws requiring internal passports, etc.

2. However, a coup in Spain undid the new reforms in 1875.

K. In 1875 Puerto Rican Separatist Groups could be arranged, more or less, into the following categories:

1. "Hard Core Autonomists" who wanted to sever ties completely-- these were comprised largely of peasants and members of the middle classes.

2. "Semi-Autonomists" who wanted to forge an alliance with Spanish Republicans and remain a semi-autonomous colony under the new Republic of Spain.

3. "Moderate Separatists" who argued for fusion with the Spanish Liberal Party so that if a liberal monarch did win control of Spain, independence would be granted with out the bolldshed of a revolution.

4. "Conservatives" who opposed separatism largely because they felt that an independent Puerto Rico would be taken over by the United States.

L. Conservatives succeeded in influencing the king to send a new governor general to the island to quelch demands from the liberals for autonomy.

1. The new governor general was exceedingly harsh and under his rule, hundreds of people were tortured to death during a "year of terror."

M. In 1897, Puerto Rico briefly achieved autonomy. The assassination of the Spanish Prime Minister Brought Mateo Sagasta to power and he quickly declared Puerto Rico an autonomist state. (But its governor would still be appointed by Spain).

1. The island quickly adopted a bicameral constitutional form of government which assumed power in July, 1898.

2. However, in this same month the United States invaded the island with a force of 16,000 men. The beginning of the Spanish American War marked the end of Puerto Rican autonomy.

V. The 20th century-- Puerto Rico under the United States

A. The Spanish American War lasted less than four months. The campaign in Puerto Rico, only two weeks.

1. The 1898 Treaty of Paris brought Puerto Rico and the Philippines to the Unites States.

a. Puerto Rico received a military government whose governor general was given almost dictatorial power.

(1) Immediate policies

(a) change to American currency

(b) suspended defaulted mortgages

(c) promoted trade with the U.S.

(d) improved public health

(e) reformed tax laws

(f) overhauled local government

B. Puerto Ricans were still unhappy because the United States was reluctant to give in to home rule

1. A devastating hurricane in 1899 killed 3,000 and virtually decimated the island's sugar and coffee industries. Nearly 25% of the island's inhabitants were left homeless.

2. Congress was slow to respond and when it did, gave a mere pittance (200,000 dollars) for recovery efforts.

3. Local American administrators were inept and disliked by the native population. The hostility between them was intense.

C. In 1900 President McKinley endorsed a program for the gradual introduction of autonomy to the island, but the path to home rule was unclear.

1. The Foraker Act of 1900-- (Puerto Ricans did not support it, nor cooperate with it)

a. Presidentially appointed governor

b. Executive Council of Americans and Puerto Ricans

c. Resident Commissioner elected by Puerto Ricans to speak, but not vote, before congress.

d. 15% tariff on all imports and exports from the us-- proceeds to go to Puerto Rico

(1) free trade after two years

e. discouragement of large U.S. corporations from owning large estates (not enforced)

D. The Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917-- (Puerto Rican statesmen detested it)

1. The act automatically granted American citizenship to Puerto Ricans unless they wanted to defer it by signing a special document.

2. (Puerto Ricans saw it a an affront to their quest for autonomy).

3. Meanwhile as the Puerto Rican economy grew, most of the profits were pocketted by U.S. businesses on the island. Working conditions were horrible.

4. A labor movement developed on the island in 1909 and soon allied itself with AF of L in the United States and was successful in improving the conditions of workers.

E. The Great Depression of the 1930's coupled with two devastating hurricanes created tremendous hardship for Puerto Ricans.

F. Pedro Albizu Campos-- Puerto Rican, former American Army Officer and Harvard Law graduate.

1. Leader of Nationalist Organization in Puerto Rico, he formed a very effective separatist organization. (He pointed to the Fact that Puerto Rico was already autonomous at the time of the U.S. invasion).

a. March 21, 1937, his followers, dressed in Black shirts marched in Ponce. A single gun shot lead to shooting between police and his followers. Twenty people shot to death about a hundred wounded.

(1) Governor of Puerto Rico called it a riot

(2) U.S. Civil Liberties Union called it a massacre

(3) Still referred to today as "La Massacre de Ponce"

G. Luis Munoz Marin-- Founded the Popular Democratic Party in 1938. In 1940 his party won majority of seats in both houses of Puerto Rican Congress.

1. Worked with new governor of Puerto Rico (who, unlike his U.S. predecessors, spoke Spanish and understood the needs and desires of Puerto Ricans.

2. Influenced U.S. to appoint first native-born governor in Puerto Rico's history

3. Orchestrated the first Puerto Rican election of its own Governor in 1946

4. Influenced U.S. to grant Puerto Ricans power to elect their first governor and became first popularly elected Governor in the island's history in 1948.

H. 1950-- President Truman approves Public Law 600-- The Puerto Rican Commonwealth Bill

1. Provided for a plebiscite whereby voters would elect to remain a colony or become a commonwealth which would give them the power to draft their own constitution (although U.S. would retain paramount power).

2. 1951-- Puerto Ricans voted 3-to-1 for commonwealth.

I. Violence did exist during this period, however--

1. 1950-- on the day Truman signed PL 600 Puerto Rican Nationalists demonstrated in several cities in Puerto Rico. There were over 100 casualties with 27 dead. One month later two Puerto Ricans made an attempt on Truman's life.

2. 1954-- Four Puerto Rican nationalists shouting "Viva Puerto Rico Libre" fired into the U.S. House of Representatives and wounded five congressmen.

J. 1966-- Commission set up by Kennedy to review island's status (it was comprised of Puerto Ricans and Americans) decided that three options should be considered: Independence, Commonwealth, and Statehood.

1. Popular plebiscite in 1967-- Munoz rejoined politics and argued that island should continue as a commonwealth. Popular vote supported him-- 66%.

VI. Political Parties Today:

A. Partido de Popular Democratico -- the party of Munoz that has favored Commonwealth Status

B. Partido Independista Puertorriqueno -- the pro-autonomy party

C. Partido Nuevo Progresista -- favors statehood

D. Partido Socialista -- the fledgling communist organization

VII. Puerto Rican Economy today--

A. While Puerto Rico leads Latin America in wealth, it still falls well below the poorest U.S. state in income, production, and employment-- unemployment sits at about 20 percent today. The island consistently relies on the U.S. for subsidies-- in the last few years entitlements from the federal government have amounted to about 25 percent of the island's gross domestic product.

B. There is still the problem of the Puerto Rico's future relationship with the United States.

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