Foraker Act (1900) — The First Organic Act

The Foraker Act (Organic Act of 1900), signed by President William McKinley on April 12, 1900, established civilian government in Puerto Rico and defined the island's colonial relationship with the United States — a relationship that, in its essential structure, persists today.

Key Provisions:

1. Civil Government: Replaced the U.S. military government (1898-1900) with a civilian colonial administration
2. Governor: Appointed by the President of the United States, not elected by Puerto Ricans
3. Executive Council: 11 members appointed by the President — functioned as both upper legislative chamber and executive cabinet
4. House of Delegates: 35 members elected by Puerto Rican voters (the only democratic element)
5. Resident Commissioner: One non-voting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives
6. Citizenship: Puerto Ricans were designated 'citizens of Puerto Rico' — NOT U.S. citizens
7. Trade: Established a tariff of 15% on goods between Puerto Rico and the mainland (later reduced to free trade)
8. Federal Laws: Extended most U.S. federal laws to Puerto Rico
9. 500-Acre Law: Prohibited any corporation from holding more than 500 acres of land (widely violated and never enforced)

What It Meant:
- Puerto Rico was governed by officials it did not elect
- The Executive Council — entirely appointed by the U.S. President — could veto any legislation passed by the elected House of Delegates
- The Resident Commissioner could speak in Congress but not vote
- Puerto Ricans were subjects, not citizens, of the United States
- The colonial structure replicated the worst aspects of European colonialism: extraction without representation

Congressional Debate:
The Foraker Act debates in Congress revealed the racial and imperial ideology underlying American colonialism. Senator Joseph Foraker (Ohio) stated that Puerto Rico's people were 'not ready for self-government.' Other senators questioned whether 'tropical peoples' could govern themselves. These debates directly paralleled the Insular Cases' racial reasoning.

Legacy: The Foraker Act established the template for American colonial governance: the appearance of democratic institutions (an elected house) combined with the reality of colonial control (an appointed governor and executive council with veto power). This template — democratic form without democratic substance — would characterize Puerto Rico's political status for the next 126+ years.