deep dives with edgard: the colonization of puerto rico
uncovering the island's complex history and lasting impact
welcome to the inaugural episode of "deep dives with edgard," where we explore the nuanced layers of history and politics that shape our world. (and where i also get to nerd out a little bit with all of you!)
today, we’ll start a journey through the history of puerto rico, a topic that resonates deeply with me personally and historically.
check out the first deep dive episode here.
episode 1: the colonization of puerto rico
today, we'll journey back to the origins of puerto rico, examining its pre-colonial history and the profound impact of spanish colonization. this episode sets the stage for understanding puerto rico's complex political status today.
the taino civilization
long before the spanish set foot on borikén—'land of the brave lord'—the taino people had established a thriving society here. with sophisticated agriculture and a rich spiritual life centered around the worship of zemi gods, the taino were far more than the primitive society colonizers claimed to encounter. their society was unjustly dismantled by the arrival of european explorers—a theme of exploitation that recurs throughout puerto rican history. their society was organized into a hierarchy with a chief, known as a cacique, who governed each village. the taino culture thrived until the arrival of the spanish in 1493.
spanish colonization
christopher columbus landed on puerto rico during his second voyage to the americas in 1493. he claimed the island for spain, naming it "san juan bautista." in 1508, spanish explorer juan ponce de león established the first settlement, caparra, near present-day san juan. the spanish quickly began exploiting the island's resources and its people.
under the guise of the encomienda system, the spanish forced the taino into brutal labor, decimating the population through disease, violence, and oppression. despite such brutality, the taino resisted, their spirit unbroken by spanish subjugation, exemplified by the legendary uprising led by chief urayoán against the conquistadors.
one notable incident of resistance involved the drowning of a spanish conquistador named diego salcedo. according to legend, in 1511, the taino chief urayoán ordered his warriors to drown salcedo in the río grande de añasco. the attack culminated in a large-scale rebellion, led by the taino chiefs agüeybaná ii and urayoán.
although the uprising was ultimately unsuccessful and brutally suppressed by the spanish, it demonstrated the taino's refusal to submit passively to colonization and brutality. the spanish response to taino resistance was swift and ruthless. spanish forces, equipped with superior weaponry and aided by rival indigenous groups, crushed the rebellion. the survivors were subjected to even harsher conditions, and many were forced to flee into the island's interior, where they continued to resist in smaller, more sporadic acts of defiance.
strategic significance and development
the strategic location of puerto rico turned it into a fortified bastion of spanish power in the caribbean. the spanish built massive fortifications, including el morro and san cristóbal in san juan, to protect the island from foreign invaders and pirates. these forts played a significant role in the island's history and remain iconic symbols of puerto rico's colonial past.
the island's economy during spanish rule was primarily based on agriculture. plantations produced sugar, coffee, and tobacco, which were exported to europe. the demand for labor on these plantations led to the arrival of enslaved people from africa to puerto rico starting in 1513. under the brutal conditions of slavery, afro-puerto ricans contributed significantly to the development of puerto rico's agricultural economy and cultural heritage. they established many of puerto rico’s rich traditions, including musical styles like bomba and plena. there is no puerto rico without them.
transition to american rule
the conclusion of the spanish-american war in 1898 transitioned puerto rico into american hands with the treaty of paris, marking a new phase of colonial rule. the u.s. military occupied the island, and puerto rico became an unincorporated territory of the united states. this new status meant that puerto rico was under american sovereignty but not fully part of the union. this legal ambiguity led to a series of decisions known as the insular cases (1901-1905), where the u.s. supreme court ruled that full constitutional rights did not automatically extend to all territories acquired by the united states. (they still do not.)
the insular cases (1901-1905) embedded a doctrine of racism and inequality, branding puerto ricans as "alien races" unfit for full citizenship—a stark illustration of america's imperial ambitions and the racial prejudices that underpinned them.
the insular cases also established the concept of plenary power, where congress holds absolute authority over the territories. this means that the federal government can enact laws and policies for puerto rico without the consent of its residents. this is a form of unchecked power that continues today.
under american rule, puerto rico's political status remained ambiguous. the island's residents were granted u.s. citizenship in 1917 with the passage of the jones act, but this citizenship did not grant them the same rights as those living on the mainland. puerto ricans could not vote in presidential elections and had limited representation in congress, with only ONE non-voting resident commissioner in the house of representatives.
in closing…
as we delve deeper into puerto rico's history in upcoming episodes, we will explore the island's history in the 20th century, the rise of nationalist movements, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination. understanding this history is not just about uncovering past injustices; it's about forging a path toward decolonization and true equality.
this series is a call to action—to learn, to discuss, and to engage with puerto rico's past and present in hopes of influencing its future. i invite you to join me each tuesday as we uncover the stories that have shaped puerto rico, and by extension, inform the broader narrative of colonial impact and resistance across the world.
thank you for diving deep with me into the heart of puerto rico's past. your engagement and insights are what make this journey meaningful.
until next week, let's keep striving for understanding and justice -
personal recommendation: if you want to charter your own deep dive into puerto rican history, i recommend the book “puerto rico: a national history” by dr. jorell meléndez-badillo.
sources:
Taino People, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Taino.
Taíno : pre-Columbian art and culture from the Caribbean
1997, National Gallery of Art
Christopher Columbus, https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/christopher-columbus
Spanish Colonization of Puerto Rico, https://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/colonization.html
History of Puerto Rico: Dubious Diego Salcedo, https://justifiedcomplaints.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/history-of-puerto-rico-dubious-diego-salcedo/
Encomienda System, https://www.britannica.com/topic/encomienda
San Juan National Historic Site, https://www.nps.gov/saju/index.htm
Spanish-American War, https://www.history.com/topics/early-20th-century-us/spanish-american-war
The Insular Cases: A Comparative Historical Study of Puerto Rico, Hawai‘i, and the Philippines, https://www.fedbar.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/feature3-marapr2011-pdf-1.pdf
The Insular Cases and the Doctrine of the Unincorporated Territory and its Effects on the Civil Rights of the Residents of Puerto Rico, https://www.usccr.gov/reports/2024/insular-cases-and-doctrine-unincorporated-territory-and-its-effects-civil-rights
Foraker Act, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Foraker-Act
Jones Act, https://www.britannica.com/event/Jones-Act-Philippines-1916
i appreciate the links bc this is ab to send me down a v satisfying political rabbit hole hehehe tysm 4 sharing
thank you for this, can't wait for the next episode