Jones Act of 1917 History of Puerto Rico

the jones act made replace foraker act, allowed free entry of puerto rican goods u.s. market. jones act approved u.s. congress on december 5, 1916, , signed law president woodrow wilson on march 2, 1917. although extended citizenship puerto ricans, wasn t welcomed. partido union had opposed extension of u.s. citizenship in 1912 if didn t make puerto rico state. if didn t become state, u.s. citizenship interpreted attempt block independence of puerto ricans. them, promise of citizenship didn t affirm promise of statehood, excluded considerations of independence.

the act made puerto rico organized unincorporated united states territory, colony. puerto ricans collectively given restricted u.s. citizenship. implied puerto ricans residing on island did not have full american citizenship rights, such right vote president of united states. u.s. citizens, conscription extended island. few months later, 20,000 puerto rican soldiers sent united states army during first world war. act divided governmental powers 3 branches: executive (appointed president of united states), legislative, , judicial branch. legislative branch composed of senate, consisting of nineteen members, , house of representatives, consisting of 39 members. legislators freely elected puerto rican people. bill of rights, established elections held every 4 years, created.

though act created more structured government island, united states congress still held right veto or amend bills , laws passed territorial legislature. in addition veto power, united states prevent enforcing of actions taken legislature. act stated president of united states appoint members of puerto rico’s legislative branch, directors of 6 major government departments- agriculture , labor, health, interior, , treasury(with advisement of congress) , attorney general , commissioner of education. act made english official language of puerto rican courts, government, , public education systems.

destruction left hurricane in mayaguez, puerto rico 1918

on october 11, 1918, earthquake occurred, approximate magnitude of 7.3 on richter scale, accompanied tsunami reaching 6.1 metres (20 ft) in height. epicenter located northwest of aguadilla in mona passage (between puerto rico , dominican republic). earthquake caused great damage , loss of life @ mayagüez, , lesser damage along west coast. tremors continued several weeks. approximately 116 casualties reported resulting earthquake , 40 tsunami.

some politicians in favor of puerto rico becoming incorporated state of u.s., while others wanted puerto rico gain independence united states. amid debate, nationalist group emerged encouraged radical activism puerto rico become independent united states. consequence of jones act , establishment of elections, new political party, partido nacionalista de puerto rico (puerto rican nationalist party), founded on september 17, 1922. party used advocated massive demonstrations , protests against political activity not going result in puerto rico gaining independence. in 1924, pedro albizu campos joined party , later became vice president in 1927. in 1930, albizu elected president. being president, instilled many of political ideologies party composed heavily of anticolonial politics , feelings of contempt against united states. in 1930s, nationalist party, led president pedro albizu campos failed attract sufficient electoral support , withdrew political participation. increased conflict arose between adherents , authorities. on october 20, 1935 albizu testified against dean of university of puerto rico, claiming wanted americanize institution. 4 days later student assembly gathered , declared albizu persona non grata, forbidding him speak there. albizu later arrested , convicted of conspiring overthrow american government. arrested breaking smith act of 1940 declared against law teach or part of group encouraged overthrow of american government.

on october 23, 1935, student assembly planned held @ university of puerto rico-río piedras campus. officials asked governor blanton winship provide armed police officers campus, forestall possible violence. colonel elisha francis riggs, u.s. appointed police chief, commanded forces. couple of police officers spotted believed suspicious-looking automobile , asked driver ramón s. pagán license. pagán secretary of nationalist party @ time. accompanied in car friends , other nationalist party members pedro quiñones , eduardo rodríguez. police officers asked pagán drive police station on calle arzuaga, block station, police surrounded vehicle , fired guns car. pagán, quiñones, , rodríguez not armed weapons. josé santiago barea, nationalist, approaching car when police began shooting. resulted in death of 4 nationalists , 1 bystander.

in retaliation río piedras massacre @ university of rio piedras, on february 23, 1936, nationalists hiram rosado , elias beauchamp killed colonel e. francis riggs in san juan. taken custody killed policemen , officers while being held @ san juan headquarters. rosado , beauchamp declared heroes nationalist party president, pedro albizu-campos. shortly after, san juan federal court had albizu arrested incitement of discontent. after being found innocent in jury 7 puerto ricans , 2 north americans, judge ordered new jury had ten north americans , 2 puerto ricans, found him guilty. on july 31, 1936, albizu , several other nationalists such juan antonio corretjer , clemente soto vélez convicted of being associated riggs murder. sentenced 6 10 years in federal prison in united states.

picture journalist carlos torres morales of ponce massacre, march 21, 1937

on march 21, 1937, peaceful march organized nationalist party, under pedro alibizu campos, commemorate ending of slavery in puerto rico in 1873 governing spanish national assembly. police, under orders of general blanton winship, us-appointed colonial governor of puerto rico, opened fire @ peaceful puerto rican nationalist party parade, known ponce massacre : 20 unarmed people (including 2 policemen) killed, wounded persons ranging between 100–200. occurred because head of police force in juana díaz, guillermo soldevila, raised whip , struck chest of tomás lopez de victoria, captain of cadet corps, , told him stop march. result, police officer, armando martinez, ran corner in front of nationalist council , fired once air. prompted many others fire arms.

on july 25, 1938, little on year after ponce massacre, governor winship ordered military parade take place in city of ponce in celebration of american invasion of puerto rico. such celebrations customarily took place in san juan, capital of colonial government. @ parade, attempt made assassinate winship, allegedly members of nationalist party. first time in puerto rico s long history attempt had been made against governor. although winship escaped unscathed, total of 36 people wounded, including colonel in national guard , nationalist gunman.