The Colonialization Of Puerto Rico

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A sugar plantation in Puerto Rico being harvested.
The colonization of Puerto Rico by the Americans resulted to a decline in the economy; the presence of the American took every opportunity that the people of Puerto Rico had. In addition, colonization made Puerto Rico a foreign country; this made the import tax to increase rapidly. The Americans took the economy of that country from their hands and into their own; they controlled everything for the time that they colonized the country. In addition, all the farmers were forced to work for the Americans under severe conditions and less wages, thus declining the economy of Puerto Rico. Below is a picture of the people of Puerto Rico on the streets demonstrating on the declining economy under …show more content…

Previously a common state was considered a protected stated, but under the US, Puerto Rico enjoys all the benefits and rights of the US citizen except the right to elect a United States President while residing on the Island. He/she can only exercise such right if he/she is residing on the US mainland. Puerto Rica has no senator representing it in the Senate although it has one representative with no voting powers in the House. The citizens elect their local leaders except the governor who is appointed by the US President. However, Puerto Rico enjoys the shipment of aids to the Island from the Mainland of United States tax free. The citizens receive aids like any other citizen of the United States living on the Mainland such as welfare, Medicare, and any federal aid program. The difference, however, is that Puerto Ricans are not required to pay any federal taxes to receive these benefits unlike people living on the Mainland who must have to pay certain federal taxes although they do pay into the social security and Medicare. In the years 1967, 1993, and 1998, Puerto Ricans voted to retain their status of being a commonwealth rather than becoming a state or independent. However, on November 8, 2012, Puerto Ricans voted for the first time with total votes of 54% in a non-binding referendum to support US statehood. However, any attempt on the part of Puerto Rico to become independent or state

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