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| 2. Puerto Rico |
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| Columbus claimed Puerto Rico for Spain in 1493, and the Spaniards began its colonization in 1506. Spain kept control of Puerto Rico while other American colonies gained their independence. Sugar cane cultivation declined in importance in the mid-19th century, as coffee production rose. Slave labor on the sugar plantations coexisted with wage labor and peasant production. Immigrant workers from Spain gradually replaced slaves in the sugar sector. Population grew from 357,086 in 1834 to 953,000 in 1900. | 1 |
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| 1868, Sept. 23 |
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| The Grito de Lares. A failed uprising against Spanish rule was led by Ramón Emeterio Betances. Spanish authorities quickly suppressed the revolt. | 2 |
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| 1873, March 22 |
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| Spain decreed the abolition of slavery. A faction of the elite formed the Unconditional Spanish Party to struggle for economic reforms and tax reduction. Another faction, the Liberal Reform Party, promoted the extension of the Spanish constitution to Puerto Rico. | 3 |
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| 1897 |
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| Spain granted Puerto Rico autonomy, including the franchise for all literate males. Puerto Rico could establish its own import duties and foreign trade relations. | 4 |
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| 1898 |
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| The U.S. Navy bombarded San Juan de Puerto Rico and invaded the island, canceling the newly acquired autonomy. | 5 |
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| 1900 |
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| Imposition of unpopular Foraker Act. It gave the U.S. president the right to appoint the governor, the cabinet, and all judges. Puerto Ricans were allowed to elect only a lower house of 30 delegates and were regarded by the U.S. as unfit for full political participation. Free trade was established between Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland. An influx of U.S. investment concentrated wealth in fewer hands. The peasant economy was overwhelmed by expanding sugar plantations controlled by U.S. companies. | 6 |
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| 1901, May 27, Dec. 2 |
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| The U.S. Supreme Court decided that Puerto Ricans were not U.S. citizens. Luis Muñoz Rivera agitated for definition of Puerto Rico's status and citizenship rights. (See Puerto Rico) | 7 |
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