Why do puerto rico want to be independent

During this time, the island experienced extreme levels of poverty, repression and taxation. By the midth century, fed-up Puerto Ricans started to revolt. In , hundreds of pro-independence Puerto Ricans attempted an uprising in the mountain town of Lares. While the Spanish military suppressed the rebellion, it marked a turning point for the island.

National political parties were born, slavery was abolished and Spain began granting Puerto Rico some autonomy. But the decades of relative sovereignty ended in , when the United States declared war on Spain. On July 25, , U. Under the United States, a military government was established and it ruled the territory until April 12, when a civilian government was created under the Foraker Act. Before the 20th century, the U. According to Christina D.

Ponsa-Kraus , professor of legal history at Columbia Law School, some American legislators feared that racial mixing would occur among white Americans in the contiguous United States and non-white Puerto Ricans if Puerto Rico were admitted as a state. Puerto Ricans were restricted to limited self-governance—under a U. Pro-independence movements on the island continued to call for autonomy. To quell tensions, in , the U. Under the act, a senate and bill of rights was established; however, the U.

More than three decades later, in , the United States allowed Puerto Rico to draft a constitution , as long as it did not alter its territorial status and established a republican form of government and a bill of rights. Others say it gives Puerto Rico a special status as a new kind of legal entity that renders it neither a territory nor a state. Either way, Puerto Ricans lack some of the key rights of mainland Americans.

They are subject to federal laws, but lack voting representation in Congress: Though the Puerto Rican delegate in the U. House of Representatives may serve on committees and introduce bills, they cannot vote. See vintage pictures of life in Puerto Rico years ago. But a contingent of scholars and policymakers believe that Puerto Ricans are not full U.

Opponents say that while Puerto Rican-born citizens lack citizenship status on a constitutional basis, they received it on a statutory basis from the Nationality Act. Despite a modern statehood movement—which includes an attempt to gain recognition from Congress, and an upcoming statehood referendum in November—it seems unlikely that Puerto Rico will become a state any time soon. In a Morning Consult poll , only 54 percent of mainland Americans knew Puerto Ricans are American citizens, and the United States has resisted calls from the United Nations to fully decolonize its territory.

Past referenda on the subject of statehood have also been highly contested. The idea of statehood remains divisive in a territory that has long bristled at the decisions of the nation that claimed it in For Puerto Rico to become a state, it will need the support of U.

Until then, it will continue to be a little understood territory with a contentious history. All rights reserved. Share Tweet Email. Why it's so hard to treat pain in infants. This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city Caracals have learned to hunt around the urban edges of Cape Town, though the predator faces many threats, such as getting hit by cars. India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big.

Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big Grassroots efforts are bringing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, while massive solar arrays are being built across the country. I can move to any of the 50 states of the nation and have all the privileges but, that is not the bottom point.

We want the same treat to Puerto Rico as any other state of the nation so we can survive, and also we need more fiscalization to take away those corrupt politicians that brought us to this situations. The political party PPD neither want the independence status for the Island; but keeping the status the way it is til now.

We are not ignorants. Make 2 lines. Put whoever want independencia in one line and statehood in another.

Whoever had the most votes wins. Your email address will not be published. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. We will send you news about Puerto Rico and the path to statehood. No spam, just useful information about this historic movement. Would independence be a good choice for Puerto Rico? Here are some facts to consider: The people of Puerto Rico would no longer be citizens of the United States. People born in the Philippines are not citizens of the United States.

They cannot travel to the U. A recent court case confirmed that people born in U. Puerto Rico would be responsible for its own military defense.

The United States would not be respoonsible for defending Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is currently heavily in debt, with a dwindling population and far fewer jobs than they had eight years ago. Is this a good time to try to go it alone? This post was originally written in English and may be being auto-translated by Google.

Share Tweet Email Share. No more states Reply Puerto Rico is better off becoming a state. Lets end colonization and liberate the people of PR!!!! Reply RS, How on earth are you slaves?