The History of Puerto Rico

by Lisa Pierce Flores, Frank W. Thackeray, John E. Findling

Overview

This book offers a concise yet comprehensive history of Puerto Rico, from the reign of Taino Indians through its centuries as a Spanish colony to its present-day standing as a thriving economic force in Latin America with a unique and ever-evolving relationship with the United States.

Drawing on dramatic recent developments in research, The History of Puerto Rico offers the most up-to-date and fully realized exploration of the island's past for students, travelers, and general readers alike.

The History of Puerto Rico ranges from the earliest indigenous settlements to the reign of the Taino, from the centuries under Spanish control through more than 100 years of life under the U.S. flag. Insightful and authoritative, the book helps readers understand the history behind Puerto Rico's complicated contemporary political status, its unique relationship with the United States, and the current efforts of Puerto Ricans to reclaim their indigenous and African heritage, leverage their bilingual culture for economic gain, and celebrate their cultural and artistic achievements.

• Includes a section on notable Puerto Ricans with biographical information

• Presents a detailed bibliographic essay with sources in English and Spanish

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313354182
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/14/2009
Series:	The Greenwood Histories of the Modern Nations
Pages:	155
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Lisa Pierce Flores began her journalism career at El Nuevo Pais, a daily newspaper in Caracas, Venezuela, and has since worked as a staff writer and editor for newspapers, magazines, and book publishers.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword, Frank W. Thackeray and John E. Findling
Preface to the Second Edition
Timeline of Historical Events
Abbreviations
1. Introduction
2. Puerto Rico and Its People
3. Borinquen: Origins and Encounter, 4000 BCE–1500 CE
4. Spanish Colony: From San Juan Bautista to Puerto Rico, 1493–1800
5. Spanish Province: Autonomy Thwarted, 1800–1898
6. U.S. Territory: Military Occupation and Insular Government, 1898–1948
7. Commonwealth: The Freely Associated State of Puerto Rico, 1948–1967
8. State of Transition: After Operation Bootstrap, 1968–1996
9. An Economy in Crisis: Debt and Migration, 1997–2015
10. Puerto Rico in the Trump Era and Beyond: Bankruptcy, Corruption, and Renewal, 2016–2023
11. The Status Question: Should Puerto Rico Be a State, Territory, or Independent Nation?
Notable People in the History of Puerto Rico
Glossary of Selected Terms
Bibliographical Essay
Index

Editorial Reviews

This book is highly recommended for collection wanting to update their national history collection for this part of the world. It provides current information and statistics about Puerto Rico. A good index is available for research.” —ARBA

From the Publisher