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Javonta Delaney
Dr. Witherspoon
English Composition 2
October 6, 2014

The Effects of Colonialism on Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico or The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an independent territory of
the United States. The island was claimed by Christopher Columbus in 1493 but
remained a Spanish colony until 1898. The United States established Puerto Rico
citizenship in 1917. As Puerto Rico began to transform, colonialism shaped migration, it
shaped attitudes, the economy, the government, politics, currency, and the military all
changed.
Puerto Ricans migrated in search of higher paying jobs. They began to settle in
New York City, and later to other cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia, and Boston. In
1960, the number of Puerto Ricans living in New York City was 88%, with most living in
East Harlem. They helped each other settle, find work, and build communities by relying
on social networks containing friends and family. By the year 2000, the number of Puerto
Ricans in The United States and Puerto Rico were almost identical.
The United States regarded Puerto Ricans as unqualified for self government
and as a supple labor force. These attitudes molded United States policies in Puerto Rico
and continued as Puerto Ricans journeyed to the States. Puerto Ricans were recruited as
low-priced labor in Puerto Rico, The United States, and overseas.

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Not much is known about the financial history of Puerto Rico preceding
the appearance of Spaniards. The little that is known about its population is that their
economy was a mixture of hunting and gathering with agriculture. Today, the economy
of Puerto Rico is categorized as a high income economy by the World Bank and as the
most cost-effective economy in Latin America. The main drivers of its economy are
manufacturing, primarily pharmaceuticals, textiles, petrochemicals, and electronics.
Puerto Rico is also known for its service industry, notably finance, insurance, real estate,
and tourism.
The United States government authorized Puerto Rico to draw up its own
constitution. The Puerto Ricans selected to hold a constitutional convention in a
referendum, and elected representatives. The convention implemented a constitution and
was ratified by Puerto Rico's electorate in a referendum. The United States government
approved a modified version and approved the conditions. Governor Luis Muoz Marn
announced that the Constitution of Puerto Rico was in effect. The government of Puerto
Rico is a republican form of government. It is subject to the jurisdiction and
independence of the United States.
As a cluster of Spain and the United States, Puerto Rico was approved the use of
both foreign and local currencies. The Puerto Rican dollar was the banknote. After
Puerto Rico's economy and financial system was fully combined into the United States'
economic and financial system, the Puerto Rican dollars were transferred for those issued
by the United States Treasury. Now, Puerto Rico's monetary unit is the United States
Dollar. Puerto Ricans refer to the US Dollar as the 'peso' or 'dolar'. The dollar is made up
of 100 cents.

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Puerto Ricans serve in the United States armed forces. Locally, Puerto Rico has
its own National Guard named The Puerto Rico National Guard, and its own state
protection force called The Puerto Rico State Guard. The commander-in-chief of both
services is the governor of Puerto Rico. A branch of the U.S. Army National Guard is
posted in Puerto Rico and performs missions equal to The Army National Guards of
United States. The local National Guard also includes a branch of the United States. Air
National Guard known as the Puerto Rico Air National Guard and performs missions
equivalent to those of the Air National Guards of the United States.
Colonialism of Puerto Rico added to the United States population and assisted
Puerto Ricans in finding better paying jobs. Colonialism transformed Puerto Ricos
economy and government. From my research, I gather that Colonialism had a positive
effect on Puerto Rico. It changed the way of life completely.

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Works Cited
1. History of Puerto Rico." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Oct. 2014. Web.
28 Oct. 2014.
2. "Why Puerto Rico Is Part of the U.S. But Isn't a State." About. N.p., n.d. Web. 28
Oct. 2014.
3. Roen, Glau, & Maid. The McGraw-Hill Guide: Writing for College, Writing for
Life. 3rd. McGraw-Hill.
4. Cofer, Judith Ortiz. The Meaning of Consuelo Boston: Beacon Press. 2003.

COMMENTS:
You still have not focused the paper on Puerto Ricos view of itself and structured
the entire paper accordingly.
You have not followed the guides for essay structure.
Work on clear, concise phrasing that is not too informal or too conversational.