American Imperialism

Puerto Rico

John Kloehn & Kevin Yacker

Definition of Imperialism

• The policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.

U.S. Involvement

• 1898- American troops landed on the island of Puerto Rico.

• Due to part of the Spanish-American war

U.S. Motives

• The island of Puerto Rico was key in holding the American front in the Caribbean.

• Control of the island was necessary to protect their interests in the Isthmus of Panama.

Justification

• The justification for controlling Puerto Rico was for the protection of the Isthmus of Panama.

• The Isthmus of Panama would later be used to build the Panama Canal.

Were the US’s Actions Justified?

• The US imperialistic actions upon Puerto Rico where justified.

• Unlike in other US territories, the US allowed limited rule over government and gave the citizens limited rights that would one day be beneficial.

Reaction of Local Population

• Not all Puerto Ricans wanted independence as

Munoz Rivera did.• Some wanted state hood. • Others hoped for some measure of local

self-government as an American territory.

Final Result• In 1900 congress passed the Foraker Act

This Act contained: • A termination of military rule• Establishment of a colonial government• The governor was to be appointed by the President • A Legislature with two houses was established

• The Upper House or the executive counsel was appointed by the United States

• The lower house or the chamber of delegates was elected by the Puerto Rican people

• An elected resident commissioner became a non voting member in the US House of Representatives and represented the islands interest

• All federal laws of the United States were to be in effect on the island

Economic result • The act contained two

economic provisions which are still enforced today.

• Puerto Rico was exempt from federal taxes.

• A duty free trade was established between Puerto Rico and the United States.

Were the Actions Beneficial

• The Foracker act was beneficial to both sides.

• It gave the Puerto Ricans a sense of self government.

• It gave the US control over the major political issues of the new country.

?

Superman

• In this case, the US government acted as a mafia don

• While it granted the Puerto Ricans a false sense of self government over themselves and their people…..

It gave the US control over the major government positions.

Mafia Donor?

Where is Puerto Rico???????

Works Cited

• Facts on File: Facts On File Online Databases

Foraker Actwww.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/foraker.html

The Americans Text Book

Dictionary.comhttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Imperialism