pages 161-196

Even as the first colonies to be formed, the Caribbean islands were some of the last to decolonize. This included Puerto Rico which is still a colony today. The paths to freedom include, “independence, integration to the metropolis, and full autonomy in association with the metropolis” for many of the colonies, but for Puerto Rico none of these tactics have worked. All of these paths seem to be blocked off to Puerto Rico, deterring the colony from reaching independence or even self government. Even as it was considered among the most stable entities Puerto Rico’s status is not at all great because of its smaller degree of self government. Puerto Rico’s condition is nothing to gloat about and it isnt geting much better. Especially with the lack of power given and the dependence the citizens of Puerto Rico have for the United States.
Quotation: only 19 percent of residents can speak English with relative ease, and another 23 percent can speak it with difficulty. to the remaining 58 percent, english might as well be chinese.
Reaction: This is believeable. If i was guess what age group spoke english I would say those in highschool middle school and college. My sisters in Puerto Rico have learned to speak some english and they are learning more and more everyday.

Puerto Rico; the trials of the oldest colony in the world pages 120-160

Once upon a time in Puerto Rico during the times of industrialization, Puerto Rico was among the developing countries with the highest long-term rates of growth. But then the early 1990’s came, between 1991-1996 Puerto Rico rate of growth. But then the early 1990s came. Between 1991-1996 Puerto Rico note of growth was below many other developing areas poverty level, unemployment was high and drug smuggling was moving about. In Puerto Rico there are group of people (more or less). Those who are “poor, drug-ridden, in poor health, insufficiently education, and unemployed, then there are those who are prosperous, well-schooled, hard-working, and enterprising”. The latter group had a much smaller population. In most population difference such as these create gap and alienation and thus particular gap as moving and increasing. Through almost a country of American rule political advancement has been lacking, While other colonies have become independent Puerto Rico has been living with out liberty, The only power they have received after years of please was an elected legislature with limited powers, an elected governer and the ability to adopt a local construction. In a hundred years that is all that they have achieved. The U.S. is no prepared for what to let P.R. be but in and in the mean time they ignore P.R. It is as if they do not even live in a colony, and some Puerto Rico show think this is indeed what they think, years and years past and Puerto Rico is still a colony.
Quotation:  “The president  of the United States and executive appointees negotiate treaties and take other actions which affect Puerto Rico without consulting it.”
Reaction: From what I have read so far this does not surprise me but it is still a bit shocking. The United States has had all this power of Puerto Rico for about a century and they do not want to share. If the U.S would give Puerto Rico some power over itself then the island could start getting ready to become independent but because it has not given it any power Puerto Rico can not prepare for independence.

(The annexation of Puerto Rico 21-87)

The history of Puerto Rico’s and the United States relationship began with the US’s interest in the Caribbean. It started with the consideration of 5 American presidents deciding whether or not they should invade Cuba. After all of the years of having Cuba almost in sight from the US, they decided that they could not allow any European power, such as Great Britain and/or France to attempt to take power over Cuba, this is why the US favored the continuation of Spain’s control over Cuba and Puerto Rico. When the Monroe Doctrine was proclaimed on December 2, 1823 Cuba was with great affect considered. This Doctrine was introduced by James Monroe and declared “that any European nation’s effort to extend its dominions in the hemisphere or act contrary to the independence of the new republics that had been colonies of Spain would be seen as unfriendly and dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States.” Simón Bolívar wanted to spread independence to Cuba also but once he was sternly told by the US that they opposed Cuba’s and Puerto Rico’s independence he. Simón Bolívar was a known hero and liberator for Latin America freeing many countries and giving them independence.
Quotation: “The united states had not bothered to consult the people of the Philippines and Puerto Rico as to their annexation…..”(McKinley says) Do we need their consent to perform a great act for humanity.” Page 26
Reaction: These lines made me stop reading. How could the U.S take power over Puerto Rico and not tell them, that is horrible to here, and then he says they did them a favor. Was the favor keeping them as a colony even today? I guess that is what he thought back then and maybe at that time it could have been a good thing.