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.
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