History of Puerto Rico II Flashcards

Flashcards about the History of Puerto Rico II for exam preparation.

What was Pedro Albizu Campos' primary motivation for seeking independence for Puerto Rico in the 1930s?

Dignity

Besides dignity, what other motivation did Pedro Albizu Campos have for seeking independence?

Economic reasons

What method did Pedro Albizu Campos initially use to seek independence?

Peaceful means, but later resorting to violence

How did Luis Muñoz Marin view the colonial status of Puerto Rico?

As undignified and comparable to slavery

According to Luis Muñoz Marin, why was Puerto Rico poor?

Because of the United States seeking its own benefit

What did Luis Muñoz Marin believe was necessary to end poverty in Puerto Rico?

Removing Americans from power and having Puerto Ricans govern

What was Luis Muñoz Marin's primary motivation for seeking independence?

Economic reasons

What were the key factors that contributed to the PPD's success in the 1940 elections?

Unique campaign, crisis in opposing parties, new governor, and economic crisis

Describe the PPD's campaign style in the 1940 elections.

Revolutionary, reaching out to poor rural residents in a simple manner

What was the PPD's primary message to voters during the 1940 elections?

Working for poverty alleviation rather than focusing on political status

What challenges were the opposing parties facing during the 1940 elections?

Internal conflicts, incapacitated leaders, and electoral manipulation

Who was the new governor of Puerto Rico appointed in 1939-1940?

William D. Leahy

What was William D. Leahy's attitude toward the PPD?

He viewed them as a radical party

How did the economic crisis affect the outcome of the 1940 elections?

Voters were willing to give the PPD a chance to improve the poverty situation

How did the PPD gain control of the Legislative Assembly?

Gained majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Who was the U.S.-appointed governor of Puerto Rico from 1941-1946?

Rexford G. Tugwell

What was Rexford G. Tugwell's relationship with Luis Muñoz Marín?

They became friends

How did external factors influence the PPD's success?

Support from the Americans due to strategic military position during WWII

Why did Roosevelt want to improve relations with Puerto Rico?

Strategic military position in case of conflict with Hitler

What was the political climate like in Puerto Rico during the era of Luis Muñoz Marín (1940-1968)?

More decent, with the PPD setting the standard

Who emerged as a prominent leader for the estadistas (statehood supporters)?

Luis A. Ferré

Who emerged as a prominent leader for the independentistas (independence supporters)?

Gilberto Concepción de Gracia

What were key concerns for all political ideologies during Muñoz Marin's era?

Ending colonial status and improving economic and social conditions, especially poverty

What characterized the era of bipartidism in Puerto Rican politics (1968-present)?

Alternating power between the PPD and PNP with small margins

What has been the trend in the quality of government during the era of bipartidism?

Gradual deterioration

What were the consequences of the deteriorating quality of government?

Decline in quality of life and loss of trust in public institutions

What shift was observed in voter preferences in the 2008 and 2020 elections?

Increase in votes for minor parties

What was "Operation Bootstrap" (Manos a la Obra)?

A strategy to industrialize Puerto Rico and create prosperity

What was the goal of Operation Bootstrap?

To shift the main economic activity to higher-paying industries

Who was the architect of Operation Bootstrap?

Teodoro Moscoso

How did Puerto Rico attract U.S. businesses under Operation Bootstrap?

Economic incentives

What was the benefit of 'total tax exemption' for U.S. companies investing in Puerto Rico?

They did not have to pay federal or state taxes.

What was meant by 'safe market' in the context of Operation Bootstrap?

Products from P.R. would be cheaper than goods from other countries.

What was the benefit of 'cheap labor' for U.S. companies in Puerto Rico?

Minimum wage laws did not apply, allowing lower wages than in the U.S.

What was 'Fomento Económico'?

An agency created to attract U.S. industrialists to Puerto Rico

Who directed 'Fomento Económico'?

Teodoro Moscoso

What was the economic impact of Operation Bootstrap?

Puerto Rico became the third most prosperous country in America

How did the economic strategy affect Muñoz Marin's view on political status?

He favored autonomy because the economic strategy depended on the colonial status.

Why did Muñoz Marin decide not to pursue independence or statehood?

He believed the economic model would not work under those statuses.

What was Luis Muñoz Marin's definition of 'autonomy'?

Maintaining the positive economic aspects of colonialism while removing negative political aspects.

What were the three areas of concessions in Muñoz Marin's autonomy proposal?

Local government, relations with the U.S., and legal status.

What did Muñoz Marin desire for local government?

A local government created and controlled by Puerto Ricans.

What kind of relationship with the U.S. did Muñoz Marin desire?

To maintain the good aspects (federal aid, free market) and reduce the bad.

What was Muñoz Marin's vision for Puerto Rico's legal status?

Sovereignty granted by the U.S., followed by a pact of association for autonomy.

Did Public Law 600 grant the autonomy that Muñoz Marin desired?

No, it only granted complete local government.

What are the three branches of government under the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico?

Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

Who appoints the secretaries (cabinet members) in the executive branch?

The governor

Which body must confirm the governor's appointments for secretaries?

The Senate

Who does the Secretary of State represent?

The Governor

What are the two groups of senators in the Legislative branch?

By district and by accumulation.

How many senatorial districts are there?

8

How many senators are elected per district?

2

What kind of representative is elected by accumulation?

Represents the entire island

Can the governor directly present bill projects?

No

What are the two steps when passing a law in Puerto Rico?

Approval by each house and signed by the Governor.

How can a governor's veto be overridden?

By a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Which branch establishes the Supreme Court?

The Constitution

Who appoints judges?

The governor

How are amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico approved?

By no less than two-thirds of the votes from each house

Who ultimately decides whether a constitutional amendment is approved?

The people of Puerto Rico

What was Public Law 600 of 1950?

A U.S. law that allowed Puerto Rico to create its own constitution

What did Public Law 600 achieve for Puerto Rico?

Local government created and controlled by Puerto Ricans

What step required approval from the citizens of Puerto Rico?

The writing of a Constitution

What was the Constitutional Convention?

Assembly to write the Constitution

Did all parties participate on the Constitutional Convention?

No, the PIP considered the convention a fraud

Who had to approve the Constitution after the people of Puerto Rico ratified it?

The U.S. Congress

Did the U.S. Congress make changes to the Constitution?

Yes

What was the most significant change made by the U.S. Congress to the Constitution?

Allowed compulsory elementary education in both public and private schools.

When was the Estado Libre Asociado (Commonwealth) inaugurated?

July 25, 1952

What violent activity took place after the creation of the ELA?

The Nationalist Revolt led by Albizu Campos

What was the Ley de la Mordaza?

Law outlawing violent acts or advocating violence against the government

What did the Nationalist revolt consist of?

Attacks on police stations, government buildings, and an attempt on the governor's life.

What happened to many independentistas after the Nationalist Revolt?

More than 1,000 people were arrested

What was the main factor in the decline of "Operation Bootstrap" in the 1970s?

The implementation of the federal minimum wage on the island.