Foraker Act establishes civilian colonial government
The Organic Act of 1900 replaced military rule with a civilian government in which all key officials were appointed by the U.S. President. Puerto Ricans could not vote for their own governor until 1948.
Key Provisions
The Foraker Act established:
- A governor appointed by the U.S. President
- An Executive Council (upper legislative chamber) appointed by the U.S. President
- A House of Delegates elected by Puerto Ricans (with limited powers)
- A non-voting Resident Commissioner in the U.S. House of Representatives
- Puerto Ricans classified as "citizens of Porto Rico" — not U.S. citizens
Significance
The Act formalized Puerto Rico's status as a possession rather than a state or independent nation. The deliberately ambiguous status was designed to allow colonial governance without constitutional obligations.
The Act also Anglicized the island's name to "Porto Rico," a change that persisted in official U.S. usage until 1932.
Historical Figures
Sources
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Primary Source
An Act Temporarily to Provide Revenues and a Civil Government for Porto Rico. 56th Congress, April 12, 1900.
https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/foraker.asp