1. Take out a piece of paper.
Bring your
LANGUAGE ARTS on…
Take out a piece of paper.

2. Do Now: Compare these historical texts
President McKinley, 1897
“We have cherished the policy of non-interference with affairs of foreign governments wisely inaugurated by Washington, keeping ourselves free from entanglement, either as allies or foes, content to leave undisturbed with them the settlement of their own domestic concerns.”
Senator Henry Lodge, 1896
“Therefore, Mr. President, here is a war with terrible characteristics flagrant (obvious) at our very doors in Cuba. We have the power to bring it to an end. I believe that the whole American people would welcome steps in that direction.”
Compare their points of view.
Make an argument for who you agree with?

3. Guam
Hawaii
US territory
US state
Puerto Rico
US commonwealth
Philippines
Alaska
Gained independence in late 1940’s
US state

4. Puerto Rico's relationship with the U.S. federal government
The federal government plays a pervasive role in Puerto Rico, stemming from both the applicability of the U.S. Constitution, laws and regulations, and the transfer to the island of more than $13 billion in federal funds every year.
Under the 1950 Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act, the federal government treats Puerto Rico as a state for most purposes. While Puerto Rico remains an unincorporated U.S. territory, it exercises self-governing authority in local affairs, following the model of the states of the Union.
Federal laws apply to the island except in those cases where the U.S. Congress legislates otherwise. U.S. citizenship extends to anyone born in Puerto Rico as it does in the States; and U.S. courts, as well as many federal agencies, operate on the island.

5. The Spanish-American War of 1898 ended Spain’s colonial empire in the Western Hemisphere and secured the position of the United States as a Pacific power. U.S. victory in the war produced a peace treaty that compelled the Spanish to relinquish claims on Cuba, and to cede sovereignty over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States. The United States also annexed the independent state of Hawaii during the conflict. Thus, the war enabled the United States to establish its predominance in the Caribbean region and to pursue its strategic and economic interests in Asia.

6. Map Activity