History of Puerto Rico

MS. ALMARAZ-DE SANTIAGO

MR. COHEN

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Puerto Rico:

Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean Sea

San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico

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Brief History

Native Americans arrived – the Arawak. They came to the island in three different waves as the Igneri, Ostionoid, and Tainos

Arawak Indians called the island Borinquen, which means “the land of the brave lord”

The Tainos were a peaceful nation-First natives Columbus encountered in 1493

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Brief History Continued…

Columbus named the island San Juan Bautista

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Brief History Continued…

In 1508, the first Spanish settlers came to San Juan Bautista looking for gold

Their leader was Juan Ponce de Leon

He changed the island’s name to Puerto Rico which means rich port

The Taino Indians were forced into slavery to mine for gold

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Brief History Continued…

In 1898, the U.S. entered the Cuban War for independence against Spain= Spanish-American War

On Aug 11, 1898, Spain surrenders to the U.S.

Dec 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris was signed, which officially ended the Spanish-American War

US gets Puerto Rico, Philippines, Guam, and Guantanamo Bay in Cuba

In contrast, Spain lost the last of its empire in the New World

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Brief History Continued…

On July 25, 1952, the island became the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is not a state, but rather a self-governing possession of the U.S.

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Brief History Continued…

From 1952 to present, Puerto Rico has remained a U.S. Territory, and never gained its own independence

For this reason, both flags fly next to each other in Puerto Rico

To this day, some islanders want:

INDEPENDENT , to become the 51st STATE, stay a COMMONWEALTH

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Government Setup Commonwealth

◦ Autonomous◦ Self-Governing◦ Does Not Have Statehood in

the United States

Territory of the United States

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Interesting Governmental Rights for Puerto Ricans

Voting in the United States◦ Presidential Primaries◦ No Election Day Privileges

President of the United States is the Head of State in Puerto Rico

Non voting member in Congress (elected by the people)

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Political Parties Popular Democratic Party (PDP)

◦ Remain Commonwealth

New Progressive Party (PNP)◦ Statehood

Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP)◦ Independence

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Opening Assessment

“When tyranny is law, revolution is in order.”

-Pedro Albizu Campos

1. What does quote mean? (Simplify It)

2. Do you agree or disagree with quote?

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Pedro Albizu Campos To many Pedro Albizu Campos, he was a HERO. To others, he was a TERRORIST.

1. Watch clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r672uJ7tiiY

2. Find evidence for why he would be considered a hero and a terrorist.

HERO/TERROSIST

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PEDRO ALBIZU CAMPOSHERO

Fighting for Independence of Puerto Rico

Inspirational figure to those who wanted to fight

Harvard Educated

Fought for what he believed in, even in prison

Spent his “entire” life helping his PR people

Enlisted in army (US)

Got his PHD

Strike against PR railway and Light and Power CO

Raised funds for the cause of PR independence

TERRORIST

Allegedly ordered the assassination of President Truman

Idea to plant a bomb in State Capital building

His party planned an armed revolt against the US

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Reading-Albizu Campos

Read and Annotate Continue List=HERO/TERRORISTShort Paragraph 1: Look for similarities and differences between protests for Puerto Rico and against the banning of Ethnic Studies in Tucson, AZShort Paragraph 2: Analyze LAW 53 passed in Puerto Rico 1948 (Compare it to HB 2281 in AZ) Short Paragraph 3: Is Law 53 FAIR?

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