United States as an Imperialist Nation in Puerto Rico Stephen Graziano, Deirdre McAndrew, David Yee, and Ben Ketzlach US History 3 Mrs. Schartner Period 8

How did the US get involved in Puerto Rico? The United States allied with Puerto Rico. Spain lost control of their territory America declared war Gained control of Puerto Rico

What were the US motives? Wanted to expand military power Wanted to industrialize Puerto Rico

How did they justify their actions? Granted Puerto Ricans limited rights as US citizens Americanized laws and taught Puerto Ricans English

Reaction of local population Some supported US citizenship Others supported independence Wanted commonwealth

Final result Obtained commonwealth in 1952 Able to make own laws, handle finances, no immigration restrictions Puerto Ricans enjoyed tax-exempt status, representation on Congress, right to vote, financial aid

Superman vs. Mafia Don The United States acted as Superman. Although it was for the personal benefit of the US it also helped Puerto Rico. Examples: Puerto Rico was granted US citizenship Gained the right to vote and existence in Congress

US beneficial actions Puerto Rico gained protection from US Puerto Ricans were able to vote on their own governors and members of the legislatures lower house Puerto Ricans granted US citizenship

Puerto Rico in relation to US

Works Cited "Puerto Rico :: The Spanish-American War -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia." Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/482879/Puerto-Rico/54553/The- Spanish-American-War>. "The Spanish-American War." GlobalSecurity.org - Reliable Security Information. 2007. Web. 11 Oct. 2010. <http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/spanish_american-3.htm>.