University:
Boston University
Course:
MET HI 215 | Special Topics in History
Academic year:

2020
Views:

330

Pages:

1
Author:

Raiden Hutchinson

THE FORGOTTEN COLONY The Fall of the Independence Movement in Puerto Rico After more than 400 years under colonialism, Puerto Ricans’ support for independence has greatly declined since the Grito de Lares of September 23, 1868. Today, the Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño garners little over 2% of votes for its governmental candidates and around 5% on status plebiscites. Why is there so little support for independence in Puerto Rico? Survey Results 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1967 1993 Independence 1998 2012 Statehood Other Research Methods ² Historical Analysis ² Interviews with political leaders, former governor, and political analysts “If Puerto Ricans knew the real and complete truth they would support independence.” ² Online experimental survey • 2,833 responses • 4 treatments, 1 control group. Effect of Historical Information Pedro Albizu Campos was an important historical character in Puerto Rico. The attorney Albizu Campos was the leader of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party, a proindependence and anti-colonial party. Albizu Campos also believed in the betterment of workers’ conditions and the lower class. Nicknamed ‘The Teacher,’ Pedro Albizu Campos was imprisoned for twenty-six years. Because of his leadership in armed revolutions in Puerto Rico, the United States and the FBI spied on his actions for decades. He was then imprisoned again, allegedly tortured with radioactivity. He died in 1965. Treatment Effects on Support for Independence or Statehood Albizu Treatment ² Economic Implications of Independence: • The Foraker and Jones Act, as well as subsequent legislation, created an economy of dependence. ² Americanization: • The imposition of the English language as the official language of the island. • Importation of United States’ holidays and traditions. ² Persecution of the Independence Movement • Persecution and arrests of Pedro Albizu Campos, Nationalist Party leader. • Gag Law, Law 53, outlawed mention of independence. • FBI surveillance files—carpetas— on all independence sympathizers. ² Creation of the Estado Libre Asociado • Allowed a Constitutional Assembly and the Constitution of 1952. The U.S. has legal authority to overturn any decisions of the PR government. ² Media and Education • Puerto Rican history not thoroughly taught In schools. • Biased media coverage to preserve the status quo. Muñoz State Tydings -.05 0 .05 Average Treatment Effect Albizu State Munoz Tydings 70 60 Effect of Choice Set When asked to choose only between statehood and independence, responses are very different than when given multiple options. 50 40 30 20 10 0 All Op0ons Independence Two Op0ons Statehood Free Sovereign Associa0on None of the Above Conclusion Survey suggests that elaboration of Puerto Rican history would increase support for independence. .1