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At The Turn of The 20th Century

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37 views2 pages

At The Turn of The 20th Century

Uploaded by

darionomari15
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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At the turn of the 20th century, the United States began to expand its imperialistic ambitions,

seeking to establish a presence in various regions around the world. One such area of interest
was Puerto Rico, a Caribbean Island that had been ceded to the United States by Spain following
the Spanish-American War in 1898. There were several factors that led to the United States'
presence in Puerto Rico in 1908, including economic interests and strategic military concerns.

One major factor that led to the United States' presence in Puerto Rico was its economic interests
in the region. The United States saw Puerto Rico as a valuable asset due to its strategic location
in the Caribbean and its potential as a hub for trade and commerce. The island's fertile land and
agricultural resources also made it an attractive prospect for American businesses looking to
expand their operations. As a result, the United States government began to invest heavily in
Puerto Rico, promoting economic development and infrastructure projects to benefit American
companies operating on the island.

Another factor that contributed to the United States' presence in Puerto Rico was its strategic
military concerns. Puerto Rico's location in the Caribbean made it a key strategic point for the
United States to monitor and control shipping lanes in the region. By establishing a military
presence on the island, the United States was able to strengthen its position in the Caribbean and
exert its influence over other countries in the area. Additionally, having a military presence in
Puerto Rico allowed the United States to project power and protect its interests in Latin America.

The presence of the United States in Puerto Rico had several consequences for both the island
and the United States. One major consequence was the imposition of American cultural and
political influence on Puerto Rican society. As the United States established control over the
island, it sought to Americanize Puerto Rico by promoting English as the official language,
implementing American-style political institutions, and encouraging Puerto Ricans to adopt
American customs and traditions. This led to a backlash from some Puerto Ricans who resisted
the imposition of American culture and sought to maintain their own cultural identity.

Another consequence of the United States' presence in Puerto Rico was the economic
exploitation of the island's resources. American businesses and investors took advantage of
Puerto Rico's favorable tax policies and cheap labor to establish profitable operations on the
island. This led to the consolidation of wealth and power in the hands of a few wealthy
Americans, while many Puerto Ricans remained impoverished and marginalized. The island's
economy became dependent on American investments and exports, further deepening its reliance
on the United States.
Additionally, the United States' presence in Puerto Rico had political repercussions for both
countries. Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1917, but they were denied the right to
full self-governance and representation in Congress. This led to ongoing political tensions
between Puerto Rico and the United States, with some Puerto Ricans advocating for
independence or greater autonomy from American control. The issue of Puerto Rico's political
status remains a contentious topic to this day, with debates over statehood, independence, or
continued territorial status continuing to shape the island's political landscape.

In conclusion, the United States' presence in Puerto Rico in 1908 was driven by a combination of
economic interests and strategic military concerns. This presence had several consequences for
both Puerto Rico and the United States, including the imposition of American culture, economic
exploitation, and political tensions. The legacy of American imperialism in Puerto Rico
continues to impact the island's development and political status to this day, highlighting the
complex and lasting effects of U.S. imperialism in the region.

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