The Puerto Rican Americans - Assignment Example

The cruel Spanish colonial leaders took them as captives and massacred them. Puerto Rico came under the territory of United States in 1898 just after the Spanish-American war ended. In the Treaty of Paris, Puerto Rico was surrendered by the Spain to the United States. The U.S government started introducing measures to solve the crucial issues of the island, Puerto Rico. Essential actions were taken to bring the economic and social conditions of the island under control. Just after the event of Puerto Rico, coming under the United States colony, migration began.

At the early stage, migration was less due to the poor financial conditions of the residents of Puerto Rico. As the economic and social conditions of Puerto Rico enhanced; and the United States-Puerto Rico relations became stronger, immigrations increased. By the year 1920, not more than 5000 Puerto Ricans lived in New York City. When the World War I began, it was seen that more and more Puerto Ricans were shifting to U.S and nearly 1000 Puerto Ricans got employed in the U.S army. The number of Puerto Ricans soldiers in the U.

S army increased to 100,000 during the World War II. The World War II period exhibited a phase of the first great migration of Puerto Ricans to United States. All these events displayed a very strong bond which had formed between the United States and Puerto Rico. The economic and social factors were responsible for the huge migration from the island to the mainland. Firstly of all, the island was suffering from overpopulation; and secondly, the mainland had plenty of work opportunities which were attracting many poverty stricken citizens of Puerto Rico.

Since then New York City became the central point of migrations. Later on in early 1960s the rate of migration decelerated. Back and forth flow of the people continued but at a comparatively slow pace. But in late 1970s due to recession again the migration of people from the island to the mainland increased tremendously and many of the people decided to settle in New York City permanently. According to the statistics of U.S Census Bureau, by the year 1990 no less than 2.7 million Ricans were living in the New York City. (Green) Challenges and Accomplishments: Due to autocratic control of the Spanish over the Puerto Rico Island, its citizens had to undergo enormous much pain and brutality.

Secondly, no one was taking care of the economic and social conditions of the society due to which the residents of the country had to grieve a lot. Apart from this, over population was another problem which gave rise to the problem of unemployment and very poor living standards. The cost of migration was not affordable by many. Moreover, migrated Ricans got the job of soldiers in the army as it was war time and there was no guarantee of their lives and family at risk due to the ongoing events of war.

After passing these hurdles, Puerto Rican Americans achieved a lot, including the opportunity to work, protection from the United States, freedom from the cruel rule of the Spanish, a good place to settle down and that was New York. Plus, they could begin their lives again and live peacefully; the major problems of the island were looked upon and taken care of under the governance of United States; and the island regained its economic and soci