What was its relationship to the us

October 30, New Territory. Acquiring New Lands. Leaders proclaim. What is it? Noninvolvement in world affairs Isolationism. A policy of expanding a country's economy or territory Expansionism. Describe U. Explain how the United States maintained political control over Cuba. American Imperialism Beginning in and continuing through the century, global competition caused the U. What were the causes and effects of the Philippine-American.

Puerto Rico Many wanted independence! Others wanted statehood or self-government No promises from U. The McKinley Administration also used the war as a pretext to annex the independent state of Hawaii. In , a group of Hawaii-based planters and businessmen led a coup against Queen Liliuokalani and established a new government.

They promptly sought annexation by the United States, but President Grover Cleveland rejected their requests. In , however, President McKinley and the American public were more favorably disposed toward acquiring the islands. Supporters of annexation argued that Hawaii was vital to the U. Menu Menu. Milestones: — For more information, please see the full notice. Secretary of State John Hay. To quell tensions, in , the U. Under the act, a senate and bill of rights was established; however, the U.

More than three decades later, in , the United States allowed Puerto Rico to draft a constitution , as long as it did not alter its territorial status and established a republican form of government and a bill of rights. After the Legislature of Puerto Rico held a constitutional convention to draft the constitution, it was approved by the president and Congress in Decades after adopting the status of commonwealth, there remains confusion around what the classification means.

Early adopters believed the designation would give Puerto Rico a special legal status that wasn't a state, independent country or territory. They surmised that because the island had an elected self-government and a constitution that it was no longer a colony. However, Ponsa-Kraus and other constitutional scholars argue that because the U. Further complicating the matter of status, the official name of Puerto Rico in Spanish is different from its name in English.

In Spanish, the territory is referred to as el Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico , which translates to a free associated state. Under international law, a free associated state is an independent country that has enhanced association with another country through a treaty. This is also a misnomer since Puerto Rico is not an independent country but rather a U. For hundreds of years, the people of Puerto Rico have fought to decolonize the archipelago.

However, there has long been division over the best way to resolve this issue: statehood, enhanced commonwealth status where Puerto Rico is still in relationship with the United States but given more autonomy or independence. Likewise, by simple legislation, Congress can provide for the independence of a territory.

Despite its constitutional and legal simplicity, politics make the process complex.