Why didn't Puerto Rico become a US State?
video description
Additionally, I don't personally support statehood at all. Our language, culture, religion, and ethnic identity is already being slowly eroded and marginalized as a century of US occupation and insidious propaganda has forced cultural assimilation among the population. Statehood would accelerate the process and destroy who we are within a generation. Independence has its drawbacks and downsides, but I'd much rather see us chart our own course than become another Yankeefied territory devoid of its own identity and cut off from its history and heritage. My crazy ideal would actually be reunification with Spain to reconnect with our ancestry and heritage, but I'm not deluded enough to believe it's actually possible.
Date: 2022-11-07
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Comments and reviews: 14
Belisarius
P. R. could definitely become a state, it will however become the poorest state in the union almost immediately with a population that speaks spanish primarily compared to the english spoken on the mainland. Perhaps the few biggest things holding P. R. back is the Jones Act, corruption, poverty, low literacy rates, low domestic and foreign investment opportunities. As an independent nation, P. R. would be bankrupt almost immediately, and there is something to be said about how the local P. R. government handles its funds and what goes on within. Many people from P. R, understandably, leave the island due to a decline in the economic future and potential prosperity they can find there. It is blessed with wonderful year round weather, plenty of rainfall though it does get hit by hurricanes fairly often, the question of whether or not P. R. becomes a state today, really has more to do with its strategic importance in an area where Cuba is a non-threat and Venezuela is 'over there'. Hawaii is great for a base and Alaska is fantastic for natural resources and its location. P. R. just doesn't have it going on. Intel had a chip plant on P. R, that has since been closed for a long time, and non-voting constituents are going to be overlooked by any politicians because who cares, that's just game theory. So, if P. R. wants to become a state, its government needs to be the one demanding it from Congress and sending Congress the paperwork.
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P. R. could definitely become a state, it will however become the poorest state in the union almost immediately with a population that speaks spanish primarily compared to the english spoken on the mainland. Perhaps the few biggest things holding P. R. back is the Jones Act, corruption, poverty, low literacy rates, low domestic and foreign investment opportunities. As an independent nation, P. R. would be bankrupt almost immediately, and there is something to be said about how the local P. R. government handles its funds and what goes on within. Many people from P. R, understandably, leave the island due to a decline in the economic future and potential prosperity they can find there. It is blessed with wonderful year round weather, plenty of rainfall though it does get hit by hurricanes fairly often, the question of whether or not P. R. becomes a state today, really has more to do with its strategic importance in an area where Cuba is a non-threat and Venezuela is 'over there'. Hawaii is great for a base and Alaska is fantastic for natural resources and its location. P. R. just doesn't have it going on. Intel had a chip plant on P. R, that has since been closed for a long time, and non-voting constituents are going to be overlooked by any politicians because who cares, that's just game theory. So, if P. R. wants to become a state, its government needs to be the one demanding it from Congress and sending Congress the paperwork.
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Historicus
This oversimplification of the topic is really good. It s gives the general idea of what has happened politically over the last 124 years. Obviously it needs to go more in depth but we all know that s not how your videos go. I only have one criticism and it s at the part where Wilson tells us to go to war because of citizenship. That was not the reason why citizenship was given and it s something that has been repeated over and over again incorrectly.
The reason why citizenship was given was over fears that if the central powers were to attack the island, it would be viewed as a war of liberation instead of actual conquest because it s citizens were not American. At the time, we had Puertorrican citizen which wasn t recognized anywhere in the world except the USA and even then, people were treated as foreigners despite being from an American territory when traveling to the mainland.
Puertorricans have been in the US army since 1898. During the Spanish-American War, there were spies and informers serving the American forces. In 1899, the Porto Rico Regiment was formed and there is a famous photo of those first recruits posing in front of Fort San Felipe del Morro, a famous castle in San Juan. In fact, puertorricans who were soldiers and officers in the Spanish army, transferred to the US Army as well during this time.
I cover this in my masters degree thesis and in a video of mine of WW1
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This oversimplification of the topic is really good. It s gives the general idea of what has happened politically over the last 124 years. Obviously it needs to go more in depth but we all know that s not how your videos go. I only have one criticism and it s at the part where Wilson tells us to go to war because of citizenship. That was not the reason why citizenship was given and it s something that has been repeated over and over again incorrectly.
The reason why citizenship was given was over fears that if the central powers were to attack the island, it would be viewed as a war of liberation instead of actual conquest because it s citizens were not American. At the time, we had Puertorrican citizen which wasn t recognized anywhere in the world except the USA and even then, people were treated as foreigners despite being from an American territory when traveling to the mainland.
Puertorricans have been in the US army since 1898. During the Spanish-American War, there were spies and informers serving the American forces. In 1899, the Porto Rico Regiment was formed and there is a famous photo of those first recruits posing in front of Fort San Felipe del Morro, a famous castle in San Juan. In fact, puertorricans who were soldiers and officers in the Spanish army, transferred to the US Army as well during this time.
I cover this in my masters degree thesis and in a video of mine of WW1
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People's
To add a bit as a Puerto Rican
Spain basically made an arrangement in 1897 that was very popular that gave us more autonomy
The USA didn't respect the wishes of Puerto Ricans in the 1900s to 1920s for independence
In the 30s to 60s there were armed rebellions against the USA that the USA suppressed violently
The USA made things like our flag and language illegal
In 53 we became a commonwealth (a colony with a fancy name that wasn't at all like the UKs commonwealth)
The commonwealth pretty much absorbed some of the pro independence and pro statehood members
The pro statehood party modern day is filled with Boomers that YES have a majority but the Pro independence is filled with Younger people
The Commonwealth or ELA has failed in literally every way.
The 2 big parties are corrupt and the PR economy is worst than all States (so the US will say no to statehood)
PRs demographics make it so that the US Republican party will not give it Statehood because they know it will be a Democratic state and would have alot of power (we got more population than 21 states)
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To add a bit as a Puerto Rican
Spain basically made an arrangement in 1897 that was very popular that gave us more autonomy
The USA didn't respect the wishes of Puerto Ricans in the 1900s to 1920s for independence
In the 30s to 60s there were armed rebellions against the USA that the USA suppressed violently
The USA made things like our flag and language illegal
In 53 we became a commonwealth (a colony with a fancy name that wasn't at all like the UKs commonwealth)
The commonwealth pretty much absorbed some of the pro independence and pro statehood members
The pro statehood party modern day is filled with Boomers that YES have a majority but the Pro independence is filled with Younger people
The Commonwealth or ELA has failed in literally every way.
The 2 big parties are corrupt and the PR economy is worst than all States (so the US will say no to statehood)
PRs demographics make it so that the US Republican party will not give it Statehood because they know it will be a Democratic state and would have alot of power (we got more population than 21 states)
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MorbidlyObscene
To me, I feel Puerto Rico and the US portion of the Virgin Islands should be combined into one entity and become a state together. Guam should join with the rest of the Mariana Island chain as well. The combined population of the latter would be less than half of Wyoming s population, but states were added with low populations before (Nevada had only 11, 000 people living there when it was admitted) so population size isn t the best indicator.
There s also the argument of keeping the number of states even, but there s a few statehood movements that have come and gone over the years. Most notable ones were/are Jefferson (Northern California and some southern Oregon counties, separating Long Island from mainland New York, and the upper peninsula of Michigan ( although the proposed name of Superior comes of as unnecessary grandstanding to me)
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To me, I feel Puerto Rico and the US portion of the Virgin Islands should be combined into one entity and become a state together. Guam should join with the rest of the Mariana Island chain as well. The combined population of the latter would be less than half of Wyoming s population, but states were added with low populations before (Nevada had only 11, 000 people living there when it was admitted) so population size isn t the best indicator.
There s also the argument of keeping the number of states even, but there s a few statehood movements that have come and gone over the years. Most notable ones were/are Jefferson (Northern California and some southern Oregon counties, separating Long Island from mainland New York, and the upper peninsula of Michigan ( although the proposed name of Superior comes of as unnecessary grandstanding to me)
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Michael
It isn't a state - because the America that is so rabidly anti-colonial actually likes having colonies and America's utterly racist mindset won't countenance Puerto Rico becoming a state - even though they impose all of the duties of statehood on Puerto Ricans the don't extend the privileges. Just remember Trump's reaction to the Hurricane in PR, and compare it to the response to equivalent issues in the lower 48.
America is just happy to treat PR as a second class area. now that they can't get away with it in the southern states.
But if the option was independence or part of a Trump America - I expect they'd all prefer to join Mexico or Colombia, or even Venezuela - Even the Venezuela is less likely to have a civil war or coup than America these days.
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It isn't a state - because the America that is so rabidly anti-colonial actually likes having colonies and America's utterly racist mindset won't countenance Puerto Rico becoming a state - even though they impose all of the duties of statehood on Puerto Ricans the don't extend the privileges. Just remember Trump's reaction to the Hurricane in PR, and compare it to the response to equivalent issues in the lower 48.
America is just happy to treat PR as a second class area. now that they can't get away with it in the southern states.
But if the option was independence or part of a Trump America - I expect they'd all prefer to join Mexico or Colombia, or even Venezuela - Even the Venezuela is less likely to have a civil war or coup than America these days.
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Kenneth
I personally think that Puerto Rico should be a state, it would come with taxation but think of the money that comes with being a full fledged American state! Not to mention that Puerto Rico would get a lot of national attention. It may be better off economically because of it. However, america can be REALLY RACIST and has never really been kind to anyone not in the perfect white citizen mold of people, and the Indians, Hawaiins and previously Mexican territories are a representation of it. Over all I don t truly know if they should or shouldn t be a state but I think that they have reason to do it.
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I personally think that Puerto Rico should be a state, it would come with taxation but think of the money that comes with being a full fledged American state! Not to mention that Puerto Rico would get a lot of national attention. It may be better off economically because of it. However, america can be REALLY RACIST and has never really been kind to anyone not in the perfect white citizen mold of people, and the Indians, Hawaiins and previously Mexican territories are a representation of it. Over all I don t truly know if they should or shouldn t be a state but I think that they have reason to do it.
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havana64
I think there is two main reasons. 1 is identity. Puerto Ricans identify as Puerto Rican first, American second. No other state in the US does this. And two, there isn t a state that could provide a political balance that could be added along with Puerto Rico. All contenders for becoming new states are Democratic. The only way I think it could happen is if 1. Puerto Rico became more Americanized and more culturally American (which is unlikely, and 2. If a place like Texas or Florida split so a new Republican state could be added along with Puerto Rico
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I think there is two main reasons. 1 is identity. Puerto Ricans identify as Puerto Rican first, American second. No other state in the US does this. And two, there isn t a state that could provide a political balance that could be added along with Puerto Rico. All contenders for becoming new states are Democratic. The only way I think it could happen is if 1. Puerto Rico became more Americanized and more culturally American (which is unlikely, and 2. If a place like Texas or Florida split so a new Republican state could be added along with Puerto Rico
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Drabgum
As a Puerto Rican I think it would be something interesting to point out that most people that prefer statehood (that I've met) don't speak or barely know any English at all and barely know our history/ how statehood would affects us. While most people ( that I've met) that want independence or to stay as a colony speak more English and know more of how it would affect us. I say this to point out how propaganda and misinformation has affected opinion on statehood over the years.
Btw good video and keep up the good work: )
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As a Puerto Rican I think it would be something interesting to point out that most people that prefer statehood (that I've met) don't speak or barely know any English at all and barely know our history/ how statehood would affects us. While most people ( that I've met) that want independence or to stay as a colony speak more English and know more of how it would affect us. I say this to point out how propaganda and misinformation has affected opinion on statehood over the years.
Btw good video and keep up the good work: )
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Brown
One of my family's friends was from Puerto Rico. He started dirt poor and worked his way into a comfortable life with a good family in the U. S. Being big into economics, he one day explained to my mother and I many reasons about potential statehood of Puerto Rico and why it likely wouldn't work without prior political reforms. Wish I had wrote some of them down, because at the time I was way lost in the economic explanations to really understand his points at the time.
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One of my family's friends was from Puerto Rico. He started dirt poor and worked his way into a comfortable life with a good family in the U. S. Being big into economics, he one day explained to my mother and I many reasons about potential statehood of Puerto Rico and why it likely wouldn't work without prior political reforms. Wish I had wrote some of them down, because at the time I was way lost in the economic explanations to really understand his points at the time.
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JLM
I'm Puerto Rican, Puerto Rico is never going to be a state and it never should! The statehood party is very corrupt dont believe those referendums that we want to be a state. They have low turnout and they are Non-binding. Support for statehood is actually falling on the island with all the corruption being exposed in the statehood party and all the mismanagement by the US, and Support for Independence is rising and starting to become mainstream in the news.
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I'm Puerto Rican, Puerto Rico is never going to be a state and it never should! The statehood party is very corrupt dont believe those referendums that we want to be a state. They have low turnout and they are Non-binding. Support for statehood is actually falling on the island with all the corruption being exposed in the statehood party and all the mismanagement by the US, and Support for Independence is rising and starting to become mainstream in the news.
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antwan1357
I have been running this scenario in my head comparing new mexico to puerto rico. Here it is as New Mexico became a state, it became flooded with white english speaking citizens slowly turning the spanish speaking citizens into a minority. I believe if Puerto Rico became a state the same would happen as wealthier Americans would enter the new state buying up all the land rising the cost of land, and displacing the native spanish speakers.
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I have been running this scenario in my head comparing new mexico to puerto rico. Here it is as New Mexico became a state, it became flooded with white english speaking citizens slowly turning the spanish speaking citizens into a minority. I believe if Puerto Rico became a state the same would happen as wealthier Americans would enter the new state buying up all the land rising the cost of land, and displacing the native spanish speakers.
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Andrea
So you state that native peoples of Hawaii actually voted to become a state of the US? yet my understanding was the votes for joining US were mainly by the imported people from the US (business interests over rights on native people, not voted to join by the native people of Hawaii. So the country was annexed, not voluntarily handed to the US. Maybe I have had this wrong since history classes I had in the US during the 1970's.
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So you state that native peoples of Hawaii actually voted to become a state of the US? yet my understanding was the votes for joining US were mainly by the imported people from the US (business interests over rights on native people, not voted to join by the native people of Hawaii. So the country was annexed, not voluntarily handed to the US. Maybe I have had this wrong since history classes I had in the US during the 1970's.
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Morgan
No territory can become a state if either party fears it's senators will join the opposing party. It's that simple. It doesn't matter what Puerto Ricans or mainland U. S. citizens want. Puerto Ricans, Chamorros, etc. can never have statehood because at least one party will object to giving them representation in the house and senate. This country isn't run by the people, it's run by two parties who only serve the rich.
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No territory can become a state if either party fears it's senators will join the opposing party. It's that simple. It doesn't matter what Puerto Ricans or mainland U. S. citizens want. Puerto Ricans, Chamorros, etc. can never have statehood because at least one party will object to giving them representation in the house and senate. This country isn't run by the people, it's run by two parties who only serve the rich.
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Mr
I have a question. Do Puerto Rican really want independence? because being a tiny island nation with little natural resources can be tough and easily lead to a very corrupt government (more corrupt then the USA in my opinion) or worse dictatorship. At least when you are attached to a bigger nation you would have the resources a island nation would need to properly prosper and the backing of a superpower without extra cost.
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I have a question. Do Puerto Rican really want independence? because being a tiny island nation with little natural resources can be tough and easily lead to a very corrupt government (more corrupt then the USA in my opinion) or worse dictatorship. At least when you are attached to a bigger nation you would have the resources a island nation would need to properly prosper and the backing of a superpower without extra cost.
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