1. Turn in your Spanish-American War cartoon!

2. Commonwealth, statehood, or independence?
Puerto Rico
Commonwealth, statehood, or independence?

3. Puerto Rico after the SpAm War
In 1898, Puerto Rico was invaded and subsequently became a possession of the United States.
US General Nelson Miles: “accept with joy the system of Government of the U.S.”
Foraker Act of 1900 – established a civil government in PR, under control of U.S.
Jones Act of 1917 – made Puerto Ricans U.S. citizens
1948 – FDR & Congress give PR the ability to elect their own governor
1952 – officially made PR a U.S. commonwealth
Commonwealth – organized, but unincorporated, dependent territory.

4. U.S. Commonwealths
Did you know, the U.S. actually has TWO commonwealths…..
Puerto Rico and the North Mariana Islands!

5. Puerto Rico: Commonwealth, Statehood or Independence?
You will now read more about Puerto Rico and their status as a U.S. Commonwealth.
As you read…. Highlight and take notes on important events throughout Puerto Rico’s history.
Answer five questions that follow
Ultimately, you will need to form and defend your own opinion……. Should Puerto Rico remain a commonwealth? Granted statehood as the 51st U.S. state? Or, be given complete independence?
Puerto Rico’s capital city – San Juan

6. BELLWORK: 9/27
How did Puerto Rican citizens respond to America’s occupation during the Spanish American War?
How did the Treaty of Paris impact Puerto Rico’s government?
THINKER: Analyze the advantages/disadvantages of American colonial rule in Puerto Rico.

7. Progressive Foreign Policies

8. Effects of the Spanish-American War on Latin America
Following the Spanish-American War, the U.S. became more involved in the Caribbean and Latin America.

9. Introduction to Progressive Foreign Policy
The period following the Spanish American War (1900) until World War I (1918) is often referred to as The Progressive Era.
Progressivism: Effort to reform the U.S. and preserve its democratic values.
Confronted the problems caused by industrialization and urbanization.

10. Introduction to Progressive Foreign Policy
The Progressive Era was also characterized by a desire to extend those same democratic values into countries within the U.S. “sphere of influence.”
This idea of decreasing European influence while increasing U.S. involvement in political/economic affairs will lead to three different foreign policies during the era:
Big Stick Diplomacy (Roosevelt)
Dollar Diplomacy (Taft)
Moral Diplomacy (Wilson)
To learn more about the goals and implementation of these policies, read pgs & complete the wkst.

11. Progressive Presidents Roosevelt, Taft & Wilson
TR:

12. Puerto Rico: Debt Crisis

13. Current Event: Puerto Rico Debt Crisis
Puerto Rico is in $70 Billion of debt! Here is why……
1970s: US gives tax cuts to companies who establish businesses in PR to avoid outsourcing  economic boom
2006: business tax cuts end to counteract tax cuts on the mainland
To pay bills, PR sold municipal bonds (a debt security issued by a state/nation to finance public spending on schools, roads, etc. – like an IOU)
Encouraged US to buy bonds because they were TRIPLE tax-exempt (income/property/sales)
Promise that bonds would be paid back FIRST before public services (= closing of schools and hospitals)

14. Current Event: Puerto Rico Debt Crisis
Hedge fund: Partnership of investors that use high risk methods, such as investing with borrowed money, in hopes of large gains.
Hedge funds benefit from unstable situations because they can buy bonds at really low prices, then flip them to try and generate a profit.
The problem? PR creditors (which could potentially help with loans/credit) are hedge funds. Hedge funds own 30% of Puerto Rico’s debt.
Unlike U.S. states, PR CANNOT file for ch.9 bankruptcy

15. PR video skips Start at 0:55
“responsible for a lot of good moments”  5:42-5:52
Clemson “they came up with nothing”  10:13-10:27
“so shaving money out of medicine and education is your better way”  15:10-15:20

16. Current Event: Puerto Rico Debt Crisis
Where do the candidates stand?
Trump: No – do not bailout PR
Clinton: Yes – U.S. needs to aide PR
Johnson: No – do not bailout PR
Stein: Yes – U.S. needs to aide PR

17. Partner Discussion
In your opinion, what is the biggest cause or problem relating to Puerto Rico’s debt crisis?

18. Puerto Rico: Hurricane Crisis
Hurricane Irma: 9/14
Hurricane Maria: 9/20

19. Puerto Rico: Hurricane Crisis
Massive economic and humanitarian crisis impacting 3 million American citizens.
Already in 11-year recession and now - lack of electricity and water.
Caribbean losses covered by insurance are estimated between $40 billion and $85 billion. More than 85% of those losses are in Puerto Rico.

20. Puerto Rico: FEMA Aide
Congress approved $15 billion for hurricane relief after Harvey hit (1/2 of that went to FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency)
FEMA funds go directly to areas hit by a disaster.
As of Monday morning, FEMA had $5.03 billion left in its fund until the end of the month.

22. Puerto Rico: Other Donations
Corporate Donations  Starbucks, Verizon, and Google have pledged a collective $1.75 million for Puerto Rico.
AT&T and T-Mobile are waiving cellphone charges in affected areas, while several major airlines are flying in emergency supplies.
Puerto Rican celebrities, like Jennifer Lopez and Lin Manuel-Miranda are also raising donations.

23. What do YOU think?
Describe and defend your own opinion……. Should Puerto Rico remain a commonwealth? Granted statehood as the 51st U.S. state? Or, be given complete independence? Explain! (Answer this question on your post-it note!)

24. What do YOU think?
U.S. STATE #51!
COMPLETE INDEPENDNECE
ENHANCED COMMONWEALTH!
CURRENT COMMONWEALTH!
____________________________________________________

25. Puerto Rico’s Status
The class will be divided into four groups. Each group will represent a different option for the political status of Puerto Rico.
Your task: Explain the advantages/disadvantages of this form of government
Current commonwealth
Enhanced commonwealth
Statehood
Complete independence