Do Now: Compare these historical texts
President McKinley, 1897
“We have cherished the policy of
non-interference with affairs of
foreign governments wisely
inaugurated by Washington,
keeping ourselves free from
entanglement, either as allies or
foes, content to leave
undisturbed with them the
settlement of their own domestic
concerns.”
Senator Henry Lodge, 1896
“Therefore, Mr. President,
here is a war with terrible
characteristics flagrant
(obvious) at our very doors
in Cuba. We have the
power to bring it to an
end. I believe that the
whole American people
would welcome steps in
that direction.”
• Compare their points of view.
• Who do you agree with? Why?
•Hawaii
•US state
•Guam
•US territory
•Puerto Rico
•US
commonwealth
•Philippines
•Gained independence in
late 1940’s
•Alaska
•US state
Puerto Rico's relationship with the U.S. federal government
The federal government plays a pervasive role in Puerto
Rico, stemming from both the applicability of the U.S.
Constitution, laws and regulations, and the transfer to the
island of more than $13 billion in federal funds every year.
Under the 1950 Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act, the
federal government treats Puerto Rico as a state for most
purposes. While Puerto Rico remains an unincorporated
U.S. territory, it exercises self-governing authority in local
affairs, following the model of the states of the Union.
Federal laws apply to the island except in those cases
where the U.S. Congress legislates otherwise. U.S.
citizenship extends to anyone born in Puerto Rico as it does
in the States; and U.S. courts, as well as many federal
agencies, operate on the island.
The Spanish-American War of 1898 ended Spain’s
colonial empire in the Western Hemisphere and
secured the position of the United States as a Pacific
power. U.S. victory in the war produced a peace treaty
that compelled the Spanish to relinquish claims on
Cuba, and to cede sovereignty over Guam, Puerto Rico,
and the Philippines to the United States. The United
States also annexed the independent state of Hawaii
during the conflict. Thus, the war enabled the United
States to establish its predominance in the Caribbean
region and to pursue its strategic and economic
interests in Asia.
Map Activity