How did the US get Puerto Rico from Spanish?

The United States acquired Puerto Rico from Spain under the terms of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War in 1898. The war was fought over several issues, including:

- Cuba's independence from Spain

- Control over the Philippines and other Spanish colonies

- The sinking of the USS Maine, a U.S. warship that exploded in Havana harbor in February 1898, killing 266 American sailors.

The war began in April 1898, and the United States quickly defeated Spain. In July, the United States invaded Puerto Rico, and the island surrendered on July 25.

The Treaty of Paris

The Treaty of Paris, signed on December 10, 1898, officially ended the Spanish-American War. The treaty stipulated that:

- Spain would cede Puerto Rico, Guam, the Philippines, and Cuba to the United States

- The United States would pay Spain $20 million for the Philippines

The Foraker Act

In 1900, the United States Congress passed the Foraker Act, which established a civil government for Puerto Rico. The act granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship, but it also limited the island's autonomy and created a territorial government that was appointed by the U.S. president.

The Jones–Shafroth Act

In 1917, the United States Congress passed the Jones–Shafroth Act, which granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship and created an elected territorial legislature. However, the act also reserved significant power for the U.S. president and Congress, and it did not grant Puerto Rico independence.

The current status of Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico remains a U.S. territory, and its political status is still a matter of debate. Many Puerto Ricans favor statehood, while others support independence or some form of enhanced autonomy. The United States government has held several referendums on Puerto Rico's status, but none have resulted in a clear mandate for any one option.