Puerto Rico, Guam and Philippines

Puerto Rico, an island in the Caribbean with a rich cultural heritage and complex history, has been a territory of the United States for over a century. The story of how Puerto Rico became part of the U.S. is rooted in the era of American expansionism, the Spanish-American War, and the broader dynamics of colonialism. This article explores the historical context, key events, and ongoing implications of Puerto Rico's relationship with the United States.

Before becoming a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony for over 400 years. The island, originally inhabited by the Taíno people, was claimed by Christopher Columbus for Spain in 1493 during his second voyage to the Americas. The Taíno population was decimated by disease, forced labor, and violence under Spanish rule. Over time, Puerto Rico became a strategic military outpost and economic hub for Spain, with its economy centered around sugarcane, coffee, and tobacco plantations worked by enslaved Africans.

The turning point in Puerto Rico's history came in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. This conflict arose out of growing tensions between the United States and Spain, fueled by American support for Cuban independence and the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor. The U.S. declared war on Spain in April 1898, and the conflict quickly extended to Spain's other colonies, including Puerto Rico.

In July 1898, U.S. forces invaded Puerto Rico, encountering little resistance. The Spanish-American War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in December 1898. Under the terms of the treaty, Spain ceded Puerto Rico, along with Guam and the Philippines, to the United States. This marked the beginning of Puerto Rico's status as a U.S. territory.

In 1900, the U.S. Congress passed the Foraker Act, which established a civilian government in Puerto Rico but retained significant control for the U.S. federal government. The act created a governor and executive council appointed by the U.S. president, leaving Puerto Ricans with limited self-governance. While the Foraker Act granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship in 1917 through the Jones-Shafroth Act, this citizenship was second-class, as Puerto Ricans could not vote in U.S. presidential elections and had no voting representation in Congress.

Under U.S. rule, Puerto Rico's economy became heavily dependent on American interests. Large U.S. corporations acquired vast amounts of land for sugar plantations, displacing local farmers and exacerbating poverty. The island's infrastructure and public services were neglected, leading to widespread inequality. These conditions fueled resistance and calls for independence, with movements like the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party advocating for sovereignty.

In 1952, Puerto Rico adopted a new constitution and became a "Commonwealth" (Estado Libre Asociado) of the United States. While this status granted Puerto Rico greater autonomy over local affairs, it did not alter its fundamental relationship with the U.S. Puerto Rico remained a territory, subject to U.S. federal laws without full representation in Congress or the right to vote in presidential elections. The commonwealth status has been a source of ongoing debate, with some Puerto Ricans advocating for statehood, others for independence, and still others preferring to maintain the current arrangement.

Ongoing Challenges and the Push for Self-Determination

Today, Puerto Rico's political status remains unresolved. The island's residents are U.S. citizens, yet they lack full political rights and representation. Economic challenges, including a debt crisis and the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017, have highlighted the inequalities and vulnerabilities associated with Puerto Rico's territorial status. Calls for self-determination have grown louder, with many Puerto Ricans demanding a resolution to the island's political future through statehood, independence, or a new form of association with the U.S.

A Short History of Guam and the Philippines in Relation to the United States

The histories of Guam and the Philippines are deeply intertwined with that of Puerto Rico, as all three territories were ceded to the United States by Spain following the Spanish-American War in 1898. Like Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines have experienced the impacts of colonialism, occupation, and struggles for self-determination. Here is a brief overview of their histories and how they became connected to the United States.

Guam: A Strategic Pacific Outpost

Guam, the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean, has a history shaped by colonization and strategic military interests. Originally inhabited by the CHamoru people, Guam was first colonized by Spain in 1668. For over two centuries, it served as a vital stopover for Spanish galleons traveling between Mexico and the Philippines.

During the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Navy captured Guam in June 1898 without resistance, as the island's Spanish authorities were unaware that war had been declared. Under the Treaty of Paris (1898), Spain ceded Guam to the United States. The U.S. established a naval administration on the island, using it as a coaling station and strategic military base.

Throughout the 20th century, Guam's importance as a military outpost grew, particularly during World War II. The island was occupied by Japan from 1941 to 1944 but was retaken by U.S. forces after a brutal battle. After the war, Guam became a key hub for U.S. military operations in the Pacific. Today, Guam remains an unincorporated U.S. territory, and its residents are U.S. citizens. However, the CHamoru people continue to advocate for greater self-determination and the preservation of their cultural heritage amidst the island's heavy militarization.

The Philippines: From Spanish Colony to U.S. Territory

The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands in Southeast Asia, has a complex history of colonization and resistance. Before Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the islands were home to diverse indigenous cultures and thriving trade networks. Spain claimed the Philippines in 1521 and ruled for over 300 years, during which the islands became a center for Catholicism and a key link in Spain's global trade network.

The Spanish-American War marked a turning point for the Philippines. In 1898, the U.S. Navy defeated the Spanish fleet in the Battle of Manila Bay, and Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States under the Treaty of Paris. However, Filipinos, who had been fighting for independence from Spain, were unwilling to accept another colonial ruler. This led to the Philippine-American War (1899–1902), a brutal conflict in which U.S. forces suppressed Filipino resistance at great human cost.

The U.S. administered the Philippines as a colony, introducing reforms in education, infrastructure, and governance while maintaining control over the islands' political and economic systems. In 1935, the Philippines became a U.S. Commonwealth, with a promise of full independence after a 10-year transition period. This promise was delayed by World War II, during which the Philippines was occupied by Japan. After the war, the Philippines finally gained independence on July 4, 1946.

Despite independence, the Philippines' relationship with the U.S. remained close, shaped by military alliances, economic ties, and cultural influence. Today, the legacy of U.S. colonialism continues to influence Philippine politics, society, and identity.

Conclusion

The histories of Guam and the Philippines, like that of Puerto Rico, reflect the broader patterns of colonialism and imperialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. All three territories were acquired by the United States as part of its expansionist ambitions, and their peoples have endured the challenges of foreign rule, cultural assimilation, and struggles for self-determination. While the Philippines achieved independence, Guam and Puerto Rico remain U.S. territories, with ongoing debates about their political status and future. Understanding these histories is essential to addressing the legacies of colonialism and supporting the rights and aspirations of these islands' peoples.