Treaty of Paris (1898)

The Treaty of Paris, signed on December 10, 1898, ended the Spanish-American War and transferred sovereignty over Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines from Spain to the United States. Cuba was granted nominal independence under U.S. military occupation.

Article II states: "Spain cedes to the United States the island of Porto Rico and other islands now under Spanish sovereignty in the West Indies."

Article IX addresses the civil rights of inhabitants: "The civil rights and political status of the native inhabitants of the territories hereby ceded to the United States shall be determined by the Congress." This clause placed Puerto Rico's fate entirely in the hands of the U.S. Congress, establishing the colonial framework that persists to this day.

The treaty was negotiated entirely between Spain and the United States. No Puerto Rican representatives were present or consulted. Puerto Rico was transferred as property — the same legal framework used for the Louisiana Purchase and the acquisition of Alaska.