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Puerto Rico was discovered in 1493, during the second trip to the New World of Cristopher Columbus. From then and until the end of the 19th century, it was a Spanish colony and the domination of Spain was clear. However, after it was in invaded on 25 July 1898 by the Americans, during the Spanish-American War, the Spanish reign over Puerto Rico ended. Under the Treaty of Paris, Puerto Rico, as well as the Philippines, Guam and Cuba were ceded by Spain to United States. This was the beginning of a long-lasting relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States. The start of the 20th century found Puerto Rico under the rule of the US army, the President of the United States appointing all the officials, including the Puerto Rican governor. Through the Foraker Act from 1900, Puerto rico gained some civilian popular government, which included the House of Representatives. This was elected popularly. Moreover, the legal system mentinoed in the Foraker act was similar to the one in the United States. There were state courts and federal court with a Puerto Rico Supresme Court, but also a United States District Court. It was also appointed the right for Puerto Rico to have a Congress member, even though this could not vote. This member was called Resident Commissioner. With the Jones Act, all the Puerto Rico citizens also gained colectively American citizenship in 1917. Furthermore, by the same act, the Resident Commissioner was authorized to have a term of four years. In addition, this documents contained a bill of rights, as well as the approval to create a bicameral Legislative Assembly. The american citizenship that was given to all Puerto Ricans also meant that they could join the US troops in the wars that followed and in which a national millitary darft was permitted. The first decades under the rule of the USA was not as bright as they could have been. Natural catastrophies such as a tzunami, several hurricanes and a major earthquake took plave anf affected the nation deeply. What is more, The Great Depression from the United States had its effects also felt here. Ll this events demanded some changes and there were political leaders brave enough to ask for them. In 1937, on 21st of March, the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party organized a march in the city of Ponce. This came at a bloody end when open fire was started by the Insular Police, who were responsible in face of the governer chosen by the US. Unarmed marcher and inocent bystanders were atrgeted and the final result counted 19 deaths and over 200 serious injuries. The situation in Puerto Rico changed during the following years in the Rooosevelt-Truman administrations. In 1946, the first governor born in Puerto Rico , Jesus T. Pinero, was appointed by President Truman. In 1947, the United Stes gave Puerto Rico the right to choose democratically their own governor and the period known as Commonwealth began. The first general election were held in 1948. Home | Privacy |