U.S. Military Government of Puerto Rico (1898-1900)

After the invasion, the U.S. imposed direct military government over Puerto Rico for two years (1898-1900), during which military commanders governed by decree, suspended civil liberties, and restructured Puerto Rican institutions to serve American interests.

The U.S. military government of Puerto Rico (October 18, 1898 to May 1, 1900) was the period of most explicit colonial domination — direct rule by American military commanders without any pretense of democratic governance.

Military Governors:
- General John R. Brooke (October-December 1898): First military governor. Dissolved the autonomous government.
- General Guy V. Henry (December 1898-May 1899): Most autocratic. Dissolved the Puerto Rican cabinet, banned the flag, imposed press censorship.
- General George W. Davis (May 1899-May 1900): Somewhat more moderate but continued structural changes.

Actions Taken:
1. Dissolution of Autonomous Government: The Carta Autonómica was immediately dissolved.
2. Currency Manipulation: Devalued the Puerto Rican peso, exchanging at a rate that reduced Puerto Rican wealth by 40%.
3. Land Reform (for Americans): Changed property laws to facilitate American land acquisition.
4. Education Restructuring: English imposed as language of instruction.
5. Judicial Restructuring: Modified the civil law system.
6. Suppression of Dissent: Press censorship, assembly restrictions.

The military government established the pattern for all subsequent colonial governance: restructure Puerto Rican institutions to serve American interests, then dress up the result as progress.

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