In this chapters of the book José Trías writes about the Jones act, the Jones blues, the 30's, the elective Governor act, the establishment of the commonwealth and the big sleep. Just like what has happened when Spain was in control of Puerto Rico and with what is happening now with the U.S's control Puerto Rico was not payed much attention to. The Democratic Party began losing interest in all the colonies, though in 1904-12 it favored the independence of the Philippines and in 1904-1908 they favored a territorial government for Puerto Rico. In 1913, in Woodrow Wilson's presidential period, Woodrow's held that idea the the island should not be let go unless they were ready for independence, though he did not believe statehood was an option for any of the two states. he believed that they should train Puerto Rico and that it would one day be ready.
Born in 1849, in Virginia, democrat William Atkinson Jones played a large role in helping both islands. he wanted to grant the Puerto Rican citizenship through a blanketed(collective) process. in 1912 he filed a bill that would provide a civil government for the island. They bill was refiled in 1914 after Jones had become chairman of the house committee on insular affairs. like his bill there was another bill set at the same time called the Shafroth bill which offered Puerto Rican citizenship through individual naturalization, but the Bureau favored the collective naturalization.
Quote: "Industrialization was almost nonexistent (page 99)"
Reaction: though it does not seem serious that industrialization was almost nonexistent, it is. In history i have learned that industrialization was taking place almost in most places, and if they did not have it they started because it would would create jobs and money for the country. We also learned that even as the southern part of the U.S was based on Agriculture they still have some industries and that places like the North of the U.S was based almost solely on industries. with such a big success in industrializing i am surprised to find that Puerto Rico has not had any good effects but bad. As I read in the book earlier, in 1947 when industrialization begun the unemployment rate was at 11%, in 1994 it stood at 16%.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Puerto Rico; The Trials of the Oldest Colony in the World (pages 1-20)
The rich history of Puerto Rico's starts with its original Taíno natives and continues today today with the U.S's control over what is known as the oldest colony in the world. The book, Puerto Rico; The Trials of the Oldest Colony in the World, was written by José Trías Monge a native of Puerto Rico who graduated from Harvard University with a M.A and L.L.B and a S.J.D from Yale. José has played an active role in Puerto Rico's government and politics since the 1930's. He was one of the people involved in the drafting of Puerto Rico's Commonwealth status, and he was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico.
On November 19, 1493, Christopher Columbus, the first European on the island, found a land occupied by the Taíno Indians. The Taínos were Arawak Indians, at the time when Columbus came they had a hierarchical political structure, organized agriculture techniques, hunting and fishing skills, and could count to twenty (they counted with their fingers and toes). However they had no calender or Writing system, and have not yet discovered the wheel, creating an easy concur by the Spaniards.
In 1508 when the ecomienda system was placed upon the island indians were distributed within the Spaniards as slaves. This cause the Taínos to disappear, most dies in great number, and the surviver moved to the hill or even left the island. though they did mix with the Spaniards creating mulattos. Howver when the Taínos disappear the Spaniards just brought ovber Black slaves. The census of 1530 on the Island included 327 white families, 2,242 slaves(black) and 473 indians(not including those outside of the encomienda system). though, even with the Disappearance of most of the Taíno's they didnt leave without leaving thier mark. Alot of Spanish words are from the Taíno's tounge, examples would include tobacco, barbecue, canoe and hammock.
Quote: "The Spanish language had to compete with English for a long time to assure its survival as the primary language of Puerto Rico.(pg. 19)"
Reaction: This is an interesting quote because it is still true today. Even though Spanish seems to be the language of the island, english is still taking its toll on the inhabitants. Now in Puerto Rico, students, such as my two sisters, learn english in school, just like i'm currently learning spanish in school. It is hard to keep a certain language alive when there is always one that you will know better. I do know how to speak spanish and I do get to practice outside of school at home, when I go to Puerto Rico and when I have a family member move to the U. S who does not know english, but I still know Englash far better. It is sort of like the U.S's problem in decideing the National Language, yes almost every person in america speaks english and yes english is the language of most companies and conversations but, as a diverse country who has alot of other language being spoken, the U.S has not declared a National Language.
On November 19, 1493, Christopher Columbus, the first European on the island, found a land occupied by the Taíno Indians. The Taínos were Arawak Indians, at the time when Columbus came they had a hierarchical political structure, organized agriculture techniques, hunting and fishing skills, and could count to twenty (they counted with their fingers and toes). However they had no calender or Writing system, and have not yet discovered the wheel, creating an easy concur by the Spaniards.
In 1508 when the ecomienda system was placed upon the island indians were distributed within the Spaniards as slaves. This cause the Taínos to disappear, most dies in great number, and the surviver moved to the hill or even left the island. though they did mix with the Spaniards creating mulattos. Howver when the Taínos disappear the Spaniards just brought ovber Black slaves. The census of 1530 on the Island included 327 white families, 2,242 slaves(black) and 473 indians(not including those outside of the encomienda system). though, even with the Disappearance of most of the Taíno's they didnt leave without leaving thier mark. Alot of Spanish words are from the Taíno's tounge, examples would include tobacco, barbecue, canoe and hammock.
Quote: "The Spanish language had to compete with English for a long time to assure its survival as the primary language of Puerto Rico.(pg. 19)"
Reaction: This is an interesting quote because it is still true today. Even though Spanish seems to be the language of the island, english is still taking its toll on the inhabitants. Now in Puerto Rico, students, such as my two sisters, learn english in school, just like i'm currently learning spanish in school. It is hard to keep a certain language alive when there is always one that you will know better. I do know how to speak spanish and I do get to practice outside of school at home, when I go to Puerto Rico and when I have a family member move to the U. S who does not know english, but I still know Englash far better. It is sort of like the U.S's problem in decideing the National Language, yes almost every person in america speaks english and yes english is the language of most companies and conversations but, as a diverse country who has alot of other language being spoken, the U.S has not declared a National Language.
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