Multi-Cultural Puerto Rico

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the rich history and culture of the island of Puerto Rico. The paper studies the island's migratory patterns and its resulting multi-cultural population. The paper begins with a discussion of the island native population, the Taino, which were decimated by colonization and forced by Spain into slavery. Then, the paper shows how being located on a flourishing trade route led to immigration from Scotland, Ireland, Haiti and China. Next the paper turns to the impact of the Spanish-American War of 1898, culminating in the signing of the Jones Act in 1917, which gave America control over Puerto Rico. The paper concludes with an evaluation of the negative influence this move had on the island's economy and reverse migration.

From the Paper:

"Immigration created a multicultural island. African slaves were brought to the island to work. Because of the growth on the island, work was plentiful in the1800's and people from Scotland, Ireland, and the French from Haiti and Louisiana fled to Puerto Rico for a better life. Chinese immigrants were imported to work on the roads. Such a diverse population is what makes Puerto Rico the cultural cornucopia it is today. Puerto Rico's culture continues to grow with recent immigration from Cuba and Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico's cultural diversity created a strong and proud group of people. In 1897 Spain gave Puerto Rico a Charter of Autonomy after 400 years of Spanish rule. The Charter of Autonomy allowed the island to create its own legislation and have its own representation in the Spanish Cortes. In 1898 the new government emerged and local issues were decided by town councils without intervention by the governor unless sanctioned by the cabinet."

More papers on Multi-Cultural Puerto Rico:

• Term Paper # 121923 : "Puerto Rico Culture"
• Analytical Essay # 144351 : "Eugenics in Puerto Rico: Choice Or Coercion?"
• Essay # 71902 : "Banco Popular De Puerto Rico"

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