Early American Rule of Puerto Rico :: Puerto Rican History Historical Essays

Early American Rule of Puerto anti-racketeering lawIdeally Puerto Rico was to mold itself into the perfect American product. Politically Puerto Rico was to remain humble by following American rules and regulations that restricted the liberties of the large number. Economically it was expected to stick out capitol growth for the United States while neglecting the popular masses. Through the process of Americanization, the trust was to perform a second America on the island. Here the people would look to the mainland for inspiration and more importantly guidance. The general intentions and plans for the island, however, backfired in that the echt goals and feelings of the people were never taken into account.Upon the arrival of the Americans, Puerto Ricans, for the most part, rejoiced in hopes of spick-and-span liberties non found on a lower floor Spanish colonial rule. Puerto Ricans expected under American sovereignty that the wrongs of centuries would be righted. (Trias-Mong e 36) The United States would surely extend its egalitarian policies to Puerto Rico, as it should to any of its other parts. The U.S., however, did not consider Puerto Rico as part of the mainland. Joseph Foraker, senate member, captured the American sentiment Puerto Rico belongs to the United States, but is not the United States, nor a part of the United States. (Fernandez 2) The basic assumption that the U.S. would create legislation equal to that of the mainland lasted unaccompanied a brief period. Puerto Ricans were made unsnarl on the American position. The ultimate authority belonged to the U.S. Government as only they were seen fit to govern the affairs of the island. The American government was openly relentless in declaring the people inferior and incapable of ruling themselves due to their go as the genetic successors of the Spanish. Puerto Ricans were an inferior offspring of an already middle-level race. (Fernandez 13) more than importantly the inhabitants of Puert o Rico were dismissed on the basis on their struggle color. As non-white they were compared to small sisterren. The Latino was presented as a black child. (Fernandez 13), who at that time was at the bottom of the racial hierarchy. With this image in mind the United States continued its fatherly role and created several policies that would invite destructive effects on the island. Through the organic acts mainly the Foraker and Jones acts, the liberties of the Puerto Ricans were curtailed. in spite of appearance the legal channels provided by the Foraker act.