Senior Project Paper

Running head: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CU, PR, AND THE PH 1
The Historical Development of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines Post Spanish-American
War
Angelina L. Taduran
Global Connections
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CU, PR, AND THE PH 2
Table of Contents
Title
Page…………………………………………………………………………………………..1
Table of
Contents…………………………………………………………………………………..2
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………....5
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Literature Review………………………………………………………………………………….7
Limitations…………………………………………………………………………………………
Discussion………………………………………………………………………………………...1
Development Throughout the 20th
Century……………………………………………...11
Cuba……………………………………………………………………………...11
Political…………………………………………………………………..11
………………………………………………………………..12
Cultural…
Puerto Rico……………………………………………………………………….13
………………………………………………………………..13
Cultural…
Political…………………………………………………………………..15
The
Philippines…………………………………………………………………...15
Political…………………………………………………………………..15
………………………………………………………………..17
Cultural…
Development Throughout the 21st
Century………………………………………………18
The
Philippines…………………………………………………………………...18
Political…………………………………………………………………..18
………………………………………………………………..19
Cultural…
Puerto Rico……………………………………………………………………….20
………………………………………………………………..20
Cultural…
Political…………………………………………………………………..21
Cuba……………………………………………………………………………...23
Political…………………………………………………………………..23
……………………………………………………………….24
Cultural…
Relationship with the United
States………………………………………………………24
Cuba……………………………………………………………………………...24
Political…………………………………………………………………..24
Cultural…………………………………………………………………..25
Puerto Rico……………………………………………………………………….26
Cultural…………………………………………………………………..26
………………………………………………………………..27
Political…
The
Philippines…………………………………………………………………...28
………………………………………………………………..28
Political…
Cultural…………………………………………………………………..29
Country
Comparisons…………………………………………………………………………….30
Puerto Rico and the
Philippines…………………………………………………………..30
The Philippines and
Cuba………………………………………………………………...31
Cuba and Puerto
Rico…………………………………………………………………….32
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………..3
References………………………………………………………………………………………..35
Appendix A: Cuban Immigrant Population in the United States,
1980-2016…………………….41
Appendix B: Hispanic Origin Profiles,
2015……………………………………………………..42
Appendix C: The Hispanic population in the United States,
1970-2016…………………………43
Appendix D: Filipino Immigrant Population in the United States,
1980-2016…………………...44
Appendix E: Filipino Population in the U.S.,
2000-2015………………………………………...45
Appendix F: English proficiency of the Filipino population in the U.S.,
2015…………………...46
Appendix G: Educational attainment of the Filipino population in the U.S.,
2015……………….47
Abstract
This paper discusses the major political and cultural events that have affected Cuba, Puerto Rico,
and the Philippines throughout history. It also discusses any topics that may be considered as a
part of economics such as actions that the Federal and Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
carried out and the legal permanent residency (LPR) status of U.S. citizens. However, this paper
only explores significant events that have happened after the Spanish-American War. All events
considered have had an effect on the development of each nation. In addition, this paper
compares the political and cultural aspects of each nation and how each nation has established
political policies to further their development. Likewise, this paper converses about each nations’
developmental effects on their individual relationship with the United States. The development
of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines are discussed historically in relation to the twentieth
century and twenty-first century. This paper will also compare each nation, in regards to political
and cultural factors, with one another to place emphasis on the similarities and differences. These
comparisons will give an understanding as to why the stated nations may be politically or
culturally different from the United States. Finally, this paper will consider recent events in each
nation to discuss the effects in relation to the United States.
Keywords: Federal and Emergency Management Agency, legal permanent residency

The Historical Development of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines post-Spanish-American
War
Not all countries develop in the same way, regardless of having a similar past. Despite all
nations starting out as territories under the control of the Spanish Empire, Cuba is currently the
only communist country in the Americas, Puerto Rico remains an unincorporated territory of the
United States, and the Philippines remains heavily influenced by western culture. These three
countries have all transitioned throughout the twentieth century to the present by creating their
own individual history.
Additionally, each country has developed in a way that has affected political ties with the
United States. The political development of the three nations has not only influenced current
U.S. relations, but it also influenced the cultural development. Cuba, with help from the United
States, became an independent nation, but these countries have developed a negative history with
each other. Puerto Rico started off as Spanish territory and eventually transitioned to become a
commonwealth of the United States in 1952. At present, there are ongoing debates about the
political status of Puerto Rico. Many people want Puerto Rico to remain as it is, a
commonwealth under the U.S., others want Puerto Rico to be recognized as an official state, and
some would like for Puerto Rico to become an independent nation with no political ties to the
United States.
Although the Philippines was freed from the Spanish empire in 1898, the U.S. gained
control of this country as a result of the Treaty of Paris. It was not until almost thirty years later
that the Philippines was considered a commonwealth of the U.S. and entered a transition period
to become an independent state. Despite this, the Philippines continues to show the strongest
American influence, yet Puerto Rico is the only nation mentioned that is still politically bound to
the United States. Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines all ended in a similar fashion towards
the edge of the 19th century; however, their cultural and political differences significantly
impacted their relationship with the U.S., their development throughout the 20th century, and
their positions as they entered the 21st century.
Literature Review
Although Cuba’s independence was supported by the United States, the Cuban people
found their own leader to represent them. One of the first major political leaders, Fidel Castro,
came to power as a dictator through the Cuban revolution. As a result, many people died due to
the extreme policies in place that restricted the people of basic political freedom (Human Rights
Watch, 2016). Despite denying basic rights, Fidel Castro will be remembered as a leader that
shaped the society’s culture. Under Castro’s regime, there was a greater sense of equality and a
better education system that decreased illiteracy rates (Eaton, “Cuban leader Fidel, 2016).
The United States did not support Fidel Castro under his communist ideology. Starting
when Castro took power, to the Cuban Missile Crisis, leading up to his death in 2016, there was
a significant amount of tension between the U.S. and Cuba. It was only until Fidel Castro’s
brother, Raul, became the leader of Cuba that a relationship started with the U.S. (Suddath,
2009). Currently, it is still uncertain whether or not the relationship between the United States
and Cuba will continue to grow.
Puerto Rico is the only country stated that has a political relationship with the United
States. When this relationship started, the U.S. tried to change Puerto Rico to become more
American (Library of Congress, American Perceptions, n.d.). The U.S. was not successful and
this is shown through the current culture in Puerto Rico. Citizens living in Puerto Rico are more
likely to speak Spanish than English. At least ninety-five percent of people living in Puerto Rico
speak Spanish (U.S.ENGLISH., 2018). Many individuals do not realize that this has an effect on
the political relationship with the United States.
Due to Spanish being the primary language, all governmental operations are carried out
in Spanish. This would cause complications in communication if Puerto Rico were to become a
state. U.S. Statehood became a popular topic among Puerto Ricans after the majority voted in
favor of being a U.S. state in 2012 (Robles, 2017). This topic has remained one of the most
controversial subjects since Puerto Rico first became a territory. Under the Jones Act, Puerto
Ricans were made U.S. citizens (Méndez, S. M., Fernandez, R., & Cueto, G., 2015). Citizens in
both Puerto Rico and the United States seem to view this act in a negative connotation because
citizenship was not the only effect on Puerto Ricans. In addition, the Jones Act prevents foreign
shipments, including aid, from traveling directly to Puerto Rico. This proved especially
frustrating after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, causing the biggest blackout in U.S. history
(Guzy, 2018). Contradictory to the previous statement, the Jones Act was beneficial to the
Philippines.
The Philippines was able to become independent partially due to the Jones Act. It stated
that the U.S. would leave once the Philippines was deemed stable and secure (Encyclopaedia
Britannica, "Jones Act", 2016). This allowed the U.S. to have control over the Philippine Islands
for as long as they wanted. As a result, some of the native cultures started to diminish.
Westernization has affected the Philippines in many ways. One way this is exemplified is
through the transformation of language. The introduction of English to the people living in the
Philippines continues to affect their society. One of the official languages of the Philippines is
English, which causes the native people to forget their native language. In a study executed by
Education First, the majority of the people surveyed from the Philippines said that they were
proficient in English (Education First, 2018). This shows that the U.S. continues to have an
influence on the Philippines in regards to culture
Limitations
Personal Bias
There is a possibility of personal bias from the author. This personal bias comes from the
author being of both Puerto Rican and Filipino descent. Although the author was born and raised
in the United States, along with her parents, the author identifies as an Asian-American and
Hispanic-American. The author is close to her family and has been raised with a mix of certain
aspects from both cultures. The author’s point of view may be influenced by her parents and
other family members who have stronger connections with their ethnicity.
Word Choice
The author recognizes that Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States,
not a country. For purposes of this paper, the word “country” will be used interchangeably with
the word “nation”. Therefore, Puerto Rico will be considered a country. The author also
recognizes that Tagalog is not the only language spoken in the Philippines, and Filipino is not the
only dialect. However, the word “Tagalog” will refer to the Filipino language. The word
“Filipino” will refer to an individual’s ethnicity. Likewise, the word “America” will refer to the
United States, and the word “American” will refer to individuals living in the United States.
Political and Cultural Definitions

The author does not focus on every political and cultural influence that has affected the
development of the listed states. This research paper does not focus on every party that was
involved in the Spanish-American War. Instead, this paper focuses on Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the
Philippines. The author is also focusing on research and events that have happened after the
Spanish-American War, but this is not limited to any acts that officially ended the war. Since
post-Spanish-American war includes the 20th century to the present, the author has decided to
focus on major political and cultural events that have shaped the history of the states being
discussed. This excludes World War I and World War II and the roles that each state played.
Political culture refers to any acts that were passed to replace the original acts that ended the
Spanish-American war, major rebellions/revolutions that directly involved the listed states,
popular political leaders, and the amount of political participation or support given by each
state’s citizens. Culture refers to the languages that are spoken in each state, the main religion
practiced, basic human rights, traditions, and geography, in regards to location and how it has
affected ties with the United States. Economics will not be the focus of this paper but may be
discussed and categorized under political or cultural. This is to further support any claims that
the author makes. This includes but is not limited to the exploration of FEMA and LPR status of
U.S. citizens.
Authenticity
This research paper is written by a high school student that lives in the United States.
Many of the resources found do not originate from the nation that is being written about. The
sources found are based from the U.S. and do not show an authentic point of view representing
the people living in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Philippines. Additionally, there is a limited
amount of research discussing and comparing the development of each state. The majority of the
similarities and connections made between each state are opinions from the perspective of the
author. The research found is mainly based on American history, so the point of view presented
in this paper lacks the authenticity needed to accurately present the historical development of
these states.
Discussion
Development Throughout the Twentieth Century
Cuba.
he Spanish-American war, which only lasted about four months, changed the
Political. T
status of multiple nations regarding their personal sovereignty. The war first started when a U.S.
ship exploded near the Havana Harbor in Cuba. The U.S. blamed Spain for the destruction of
their ship, so the United States declared war against Spain. The United States wanted to protect
themselves since they “... had millions of dollars invested in businesses in Cuba and there were
many U.S. citizens in residence there” (Florida Center for Instructional Technology, 2002).
Although it started in Cuba, the United States also decided to fight against the Spanish in their
other territories including Puerto Rico and the Philippine Islands. The United States was in
support of national independence for these nations, but the Treaty of Paris stated otherwise.
Under the Treaty of Paris, the Spanish were required “...to relinquish claims on Cuba, and
to cede sovereignty over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States” (Office of
the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs, Treaty of Paris, n.d.). The U.S. gained Puerto Rico and
the Philippines as territories, while Cuba gained independence. However, the Teller Amendment
stated that the U.S. “hereby disclaims any disposition of intention to exercise sovereignty,
jurisdiction, or control over said island except for pacification thereof, and asserts its
determination, when that is accomplished, to leave the government and control of the island to its
people” (Library of Congress, "Teller and Platt Amendments"). This allowed the United States to
continue having a military presence in Cuba. Years later, the Teller Amendment was replaced by
the Platt Amendment.
Despite being in support of Cuban independence, the United States could intervene
whenever they wanted to. The Platt Amendment called for intervention in Cuba only when there
is a need for government support or need to protect the people. This amendment created an
opening for the U.S. to find ways to control the political culture in Cuba. In 1934, the Platt
Amendment was abolished. Soon after, one of Cuba’s first leaders, Fulgencio Batista, helped
contribute to the country’s growth by supporting different types of public works. During his
second term, he became a dictator and was eventually overthrown by Fidel Castro
(Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Fulgencio Batista", 2018). Fidel Castro was the leader of the Cuban
Revolution. He started an uprising against Batista, but Castro did not have much support
initially. He eventually gained popularity and had enough people to contribute to multiple riots
and attacks on the government. Under Castro’s regime, he was able to place himself in power.
His first administrative position was as prime minister, yet he still had a significant amount of
influence before later becoming president in 1976 (Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Fidel Castro",
2018). In spite of U.S. opinions, Fidel Castro had many supporters.
idel Castro was one of the most influential figures in Cuba. “Fidel Castro …
Cultural. F
will be remembered as an iconic, yet deeply-polarising, figure of the 20th Century” ("Fidel
Castro: the good, the bad and the ugly - Amnesty", 2016). As a political figure, Fidel Castro had
a great amount of power, which allowed him to implement cultural reforms. He made
improvements in housing and increased access to healthcare regardless of how one might
identify. This helped transform Cuban culture. Under Castro, there was an equal society that
included everyone regardless of gender, race, and class (Ramone, 2018). Fidel Castro gave
people equal access to healthcare and dramatically increased literacy rates. Castro’s regime,
although controversial, “achieved some of the lowest…illiteracy rates in the Western
hemisphere” (Eaton, “‘We learned a lot, 2016). In Cuba, it did not matter what economic class
one was a part of; education was and still is, free for everyone. For students, “‘Mobile teachers’
are deployed…” if they have a disability or are not feeling well (Latin lessons: What can we
learn, 2010). This proves that Castro allowed for equal education opportunities. The citizens in
Cuba were able to thrive under the leadership of Fidel Castro; consequently, Cuba was able to
develop tremendously in regards to equal rights among everyone. The transformation of Cuban
culture was also an effect of having political independence apart from the U.S., a concept that
not all countries received after the Spanish-American war.
Puerto Rico.
fter receiving Puerto Rico as a territory, the United States almost immediately
Political. A
controlled all politics in Puerto Rico. In 1900, the U.S. authorized the Foraker Act with the intent
to establish a government. The newly established government of Puerto Rico consisted of “… a
governor and an executive council appointed by the President, a House of Representatives with
35 elected members, a judicial system with a Supreme Court, and a non-voting Resident
Commissioner in Congress. In addition, all federal laws of the United States were to be in effect
on the island” (Library of Congress, "Foraker Act, n.d.). The beginning of the 20th century
marked a new government for the Puerto Rican people. The island was considered a territory of
the United States, yet there were no plans made to incorporate Puerto Rico as a state or start a
transition period to eventual statehood. As a result, Puerto Rico became the first unincorporated
territory of the United States. Puerto Rico was considered a territory; however, the Foraker Act
made the people living in Puerto Rico citizens of Puerto Rico, not American citizens. Eventually,
the Jones Act of 1917 was passed to give Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship (Méndez, S. M.,
Fernandez, R., & Cueto, G., 2015). Even after the enacting of multiple laws, many Puerto Ricans
did not agree with the island’s relationship with the United States. There were more people,
including political parties, that supported the independence of Puerto Rico. Having a clear,
defined status of what the U.S. considered Puerto Rico became a popular topic of conversation.
Citizens were confused and often wanted clarity about how Puerto Rico was being affected by
the United States.
In 1922, the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision that would affect everyone living in
Puerto Rico. Balzac v. Porto Rico “… declared that Puerto Rico was a territory rather than a part
of the Union” (Library of Congress, Chronology, n.d.). This indicated that certain aspects of the
U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights did not apply to citizens living in Puerto Rico. Even after
receiving citizenship, many people felt as if there was no real connection to the United States.
Opinions started to change when Puerto Rico drafted its first constitution. In 1950, the U.S.
president signed a bill stating that Puerto Rico was a commonwealth (Wagenheim & Mathews,
2018). Therefore, as a commonwealth, Puerto Rico could have its own constitution.
The citizens of Puerto Rico thought that having their own constitution would finally
decide their nation’s independence status. Contrarily, it only caused more confusion. The Puerto
Rican government thought that becoming a commonwealth and having their own constitution
meant the nation was Independent. Although the United States still considered Puerto Rico a
territory, the U.S. House of Representatives stated, “The bill under consideration would not
change Puerto Rico’s fundamental political, social, and economic relationship to the United
States” (Wagenheim & Mathews, 2018). The U.S. still viewed Puerto Rico as a territory, which
confused the nation’s governor. He did not understand how Puerto Rico was still a part of the
United States, especially when the culture was different from that of the United States.
he United States had a presence in Puerto Rico that influenced the culture.
Cultural. T
Many Americans viewed Puerto Rico as an undeveloped nation that needed help. One goal of the
U.S. was to modernize Puerto Rican civilization. This can be shown through the “American
efforts to impose the English language in local schools met strong resistance” (Library of
Congress, American Perceptions, n.d.). The U.S. tried to implement more westernized culture,
which was not always accepted by citizens in Puerto Rico. The elites embraced American
culture, but the rest of the population was filled with resentment. Nevertheless, the U.S. still
attempted to further the development of Puerto Rico, but they created fake reports of Puerto
Rican citizens. These reports showed people that supposedly could not take care of themselves.
The U.S. depicted a culture that was animal-like and offensive to the individuals living in Puerto
Rico. Puerto Ricans were still viewed as foreigners, along with the people living in the
Philippines.
The Philippines.
hen the Philippine Islands became a territory of the U.S., they were met with
Political. W
opposition. In the beginning, the United States was supported by the Filipinos. Both of these
nations were fighting against Spain for Filipino independence. This led to the Filipinos trusting
the Americans. Once the Spanish left the Philippines in defeat, the Filipinos thought that the
United States would leave as well. In spite of this, the United States claimed the Philippines as a
territory. This angered the Philippines because they believed that the U.S. was supporting their
fight for independence. Thus, a revolution was started against the United States.
The Philippine Revolution, also known as the Philippine-American War, was the
immediate result of the United States securing the Philippines. Many Filipino leaders did not
want to accept control from the United States. Although the revolution only lasted until 1902,
there was still resistance against the Americans (Encyclopaedia Britannica,
"Philippine-American War", 2016). As a result, the revolution began and ended with Emilio
Aguinaldo emerging as a popular political leader and military leader. Aguinaldo fought against
the Spanish, then he continued fighting for Philippine independence against the United States
(Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Emilio Aguinaldo", 2018). Although he was not the first legitimate
president under American rule, Aguinaldo is remembered as the first president. He is known as
the president of the first republic because he was the main leader when there was still a
revolutionary government, when the Spanish still ruled the Philippines ("PHILIPPINE
PRESIDENTS & VICE-PRESIDENTS LIST", 2005). The first president during the American
period was not in power until after the U.S. attempted to prepare the Philippines for
independence.
The United States believed that they were helping all Filipinos. The U.S. had one goal: to
help the liberation of the Filipino people. In order to help them reach independence, the United
States decided to make the Philippines their colonial mission (Kästle, 1998). The goal was to
create a functional government. The Jones Act allowed for the creation of a government, and it
promised that the U.S. would leave once the government was stable (Encyclopaedia Britannica,
"Jones Act", 2016). Soon enough, there was the establishment of the Philippine Assembly and
Philippine Commission. Both of these represented the newly created bicameral legislature, which
consisted of an upper and lower house. All of these events lead up to the Philippines becoming
an official Commonwealth of the United States.
In 1934, the Philippine Commonwealth and Independence Act was passed. Also known
as the Tydings-McDuffie Act, this law allowed for a transition for the Philippines to become
sovereign. This U.S. statute stated that after the Philippines was a commonwealth for ten years,
they would be granted independence (Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Tydings-McDuffie Act",
2015). This ten-year transition period gave the Filipinos more control; however, their nation was
to be modeled after the United States. This included an American-inspired draft of the Philippine
Constitution and government system (National Historical Commission of The Philippines, 2015).
The Philippines finally thought that they were free of American influence, and they were hopeful
about governing their own nation. In 1946, the United States relinquished its grasp on the
Philippines. Instead of leaving a path for the Philippines to become successful, the U.S. decided
to leave a significant mark on the culture.

ne reason the United States wanted to help the Philippines was due to their
Cultural. O
negative perspective of the present civilization. Filipinos were viewed as wild, desperate people
that could not take care of themselves. The U.S. wanted to improve the Philippines quality of
living, so they introduced basic American culture to the people. One American concept
introduced was religious freedom. “When the United States took over the Philippines, the people
began to be free to join whatever religion they wanted” (Balinski, 2018). During Spanish rule,
Catholicism became the national religion in the Philippines. It continued to remain the most
popular religion, but this does not mean other religions were not supported. Other branches of
Christianity were welcomed and the south was inhabited by many Muslims.
Furthermore, Filipinos started to learn English in part of an improved school system.
English was the main language used in public schools built in the Philippines despite both
Spanish and English becoming a national language in 1935 (Pariona, 2016). It was not until 1937
when Tagalog, commonly known as Filipino, became the national language. Spanish was no
longer a national language, which did not affect many Filipinos. Regardless of Spanish words
being incorporated into Tagalog, the two official languages of the Philippines continue to be
English and Tagalog.
Development Throughout the 21st Century
The Philippines.
he Philippines is known as a nation against development. This is due to the

Political. T
dysfunctional appearance and lack of modernization in the government. Many political parties
vanish as quickly as they disappear. There is a lack of consistency in the political parties that are
also accompanied by the ever-changing positions of politicians. Filipino politicians do not view
political parties as a serious group. Many will transfer to a different political party during their
campaign or will switch parties after an election (The Manila Times, 2016). This creates an
absence of trust among citizens in an already questionable political society. Without being
affected by a presidential, representative democracy, the political culture remains old-fashioned.
The Philippine government is often criticized for being traditional and having a similar system
from when there used to be an authoritarian regime. Despite there being land reforms, many
people are not allowed to buy or sell land (Hofman, B., Nye, J., Rood, S., & Nehru, V., 2012).
This concentrates the land to the agricultural elites, which gives them more power. Individuals
that do not agree with this may protest; however, this also raises concerns for any foreign
investors. There is a history of protests and disagreements in the Philippines. Therefore, many
nations view the Philippines as unworthy to work with considering the unpredictable changes in
government and politics. The present government in the Philippines may constantly be changing
due to their own political culture, but society is also changing due to America's influence.
oing into the twenty-first century, Filipinos followed what they knew,
Cultural. G
westernization. The Philippines is an independent nation, yet they still follow American-based
culture. One idea that was taught to Filipinos that never left their side was learning the English
language. The majority of Filipinos learn Tagalog or English as their first language. In an
English Proficiency Index created by Education First, the Philippines was ranked number
fourteen out of eighty-eight countries (Education First, 2018). Approximately sixty-two percent,
which is considered high, of the people surveyed were proficient in English. The Philippines was
only around ten percent less than the number one ranking country in English proficiency.
Additionally, they were the second highest when compared to twenty-one other Asian countries.
This proves that the Philippines not only speaks English but is relatively advanced when it comes
to acknowledging the language itself. Many Filipinos are so comfortable with speaking English
that they find it difficult to speak only Tagalog in everyday conversation. In an interview done in
the Philippines, a man who spoke Tagalog asked random people along the street to answer one of
his questions while only speaking Tagalog (Boss, 2018). All of the interviewees failed to speak
only Tagalog. A common theme present throughout the interview was having a good education
and western influence as reasons for speaking English. When asked how English became
mainstream in the Philippines, an interviewee responded, “Another factor is social media…
Also, we like to embrace Western culture.” It’s more common for people to speak a mixture of
both Filipino and English. The Philippines continues to show a liking to western features despite
an abundance of news sources that only speak Tagalog. The mixing of these two languages
shows the long-lasting effect of American rule on a nation.
Another consequence of American rule is discrimination. While the U.S. is known to be a
very diverse country, their rule on the Philippines has caused a liking to more
western-stereotypical features. The media has played a role in this by portraying European
features as the best version a person can be. The ideal appearance is someone who is “Tall,
blond, fair-skinned and sharp-nosed” (FallenAngel, 2013). These features continue to be focused
on due to mass media. Many Filipinos are restricted in their daily life because of these wanted
features. Credentials such as skin color, accent, height, and family name are important when
determining who receives a job. For example, call center jobs receive many applicants that are
able to speak English. However, at least ninety-five percent of applicants are rejected due to their
accents (McLean, 2009). In many countries, this would be viewed as a discriminatory practice in
the workplace. The Philippines welcomes American influence into their society while Puerto
Rico continues to struggle with this.
Puerto Rico.
Cultural. Citizens living in Puerto Rico show a strong sense of nationalism. The United
States still claims Puerto Rico as a territory, yet the presence of American influence is not as
evident. The English language, along with Spanish, is taught throughout the school system. This
is not unusual seeing as both are the official language of Puerto Rico. Despite this, Spanish
remains the dominant language spoken on the island. “Over 95% of Puerto Rico’s population
speaks Spanish and fewer than 25% are proficient in English” (U.S.ENGLISH., 2018). This
shows that while Puerto Ricans are considered U.S. citizens, Puerto Rico exemplifies a strong
sense of cultural identity. Puerto Rico’s culture is relatively closer to other Latin American
nations than the culture currently present in the United States. This has become a concern for
America and Puerto Rico in regards to American Politics.
Political. Puerto Rico’s political relationship with the United States is more relevant than
ever in the current century. U.S. statehood has been an ongoing topic in Puerto Rico, and a
popular argument against it is the language barrier. As stated before, English is not the most
popular language in Puerto Rico. The Spanish language continues to dominate Puerto Rican
politics causing disagreements on whether or not Puerto Rico should become the fifty-first state.
One might not view language as a political boundary; however, it causes complications in
communication. Government procedures across all states are conducted in English compared to
the Spanish-based legislature present in Puerto Rico (U.S.ENGLISH., 2018). Puerto Rico would
be the first, and only, Spanish-speaking state. This raises concerns about the language used to
conduct government business. Also, It would become difficult for someone living in Puerto Rico
to work in the government or hold office. Currently, Spanish is the primary language taught in
schools, which has a negative effect on English proficiency. If Puerto Rico became a state, then
the U.S. would need to implement more incentives to learn English in order to match the rest of
American legislature. The Puerto Rican government would have to switch to conducting
business in English. This further complicates the present government and would affect the lives
of government employees on the island. Language is not the only topic of debate when
discussing Puerto Rico’s independence.
Arguments for Puerto Rico’s independence started to become more prevalent in society
after the island was given a referendum on statehood. In 2012, approximately sixty-one percent
of votes were in favor of statehood (Robles, 2017). The referendum was non-binding and
resulted in no significant changes in Puerto Rico and the United States relationship. As a result,
Puerto Rico remains stagnant: the citizens have no representation in Congress and zero electoral
college votes. In 2017, supporters of U.S. statehood rose to ninety-seven percent. At first glance,
this might seem like the most popular opinion in Puerto Rico, and therefore, seems like the best
course of action for all citizens. In reality, these results are questionable when one considers that
only twenty-three percent of people voted. One might argue that statehood would solve the
problem of less-than-equal representation in the U.S. Congress. In spite of this, statehood is not
in reachable distance for Puerto Rican citizens.
Statehood for Puerto Rican citizens is not realistic. The U.S. Congress is
Republican-dominated, which means that it is unfavorable to include Puerto Rico in the Union.
Regardless of how many Puerto Ricans vote for statehood, the majority of citizens tend to vote
Democratic (Gonzalez, 2016). The inclusion of Puerto Rico would go against the majority party
in the U.S. Congress. Also, Puerto Rico has a relatively high amount of debt and even filed for
bankruptcy. The United States would not want to deal with Puerto Rico’s debt, especially with
their own debt to deal with. Therefore, one of the only options for Puerto Rico is to become
independent.
If Puerto Rico became Independent, then the island would be in charge of their own
policies. Puerto Rico would not have to obey laws passed by the United States, nor would the
citizens have to obey the American Constitution. Additionally, the citizens of Puerto Rico would
have the right to self-determination. Policies are made by the U.S. government, a government
that Puerto Rico currently has no representation in. Puerto Rico would be in control of its own
legislative branch, which would mean that the people have a better chance of being represented.
Consequently, more accurate representation increases accountability. The U.S. would not be
blamed for policies that are enacted in Puerto Rico.
Following a natural disaster, many Puerto Ricans began to criticize the American
government. Under American rule, Puerto Rico is not allowed to receive help from foreign
countries. This idea of receiving help was the most prominent after Hurricane Maria struck
Puerto Rico in 2017. The president of the United States, Donald Trump, believes that the U.S.
responded in a good manner, yet many citizens in Puerto Rico do not agree. As a result of the
storm, individuals living in Puerto Rico experienced a blackout, including all 3.3 million
citizens. “The result was the longest major power outage in U.S. history, and many communities
on the island were left without running water for months” (Guzy, 2018). All aid arriving on the
island had to enter by air or sea, which delays arrival. Under the Jones Act, only American ships
could enter the island’s territory. Puerto Rico had to wait for Donald Trump to lift this act so the
island could receive international aid. Nevertheless, the act was only lifted for ten days that
caused long-term relief efforts to be non-existent (Rivera, 2017). This angered many Puerto
Ricans seeing as the island could have received help in a quicker, efficient way. The nation had
to wait to obtain aid from other countries, including nearby countries such as Cuba.
Cuba.
uba has been known to help other countries in need. It may not be recognized
Cultural. C
in the U.S., but Fidel Castro has a history of supporting other nations that went through a period
of need. He has also supported the development of independent nations in many ways. For
example, Fidel Castro sent “A medical brigade of 1,200 Cubans… ” to Haiti after the 2010
earthquake (Lakhani, 2011). Cuba might have been able to relieve the humanitarian crisis in
Puerto Rico after hurricane Maria. Castro could have sent aid in a more timely manner than the
United States. Although, the Jones Act combined with the negative relationship with the U.S.
would likely not have accepted Cuba’s help. Castro may have supported other countries, but he
did not support his own people.
Political. The support for freedom given by Fidel Castro does not coincide with his own
political policies. Castro supported decolonization of the Caribbean along with providing
military support in South Africa to end apartheid (Brantuo, 2016). Political freedom, however,
was an unknown concept to the citizens of Cuba. In 2012, there were over 50 thousand people
incarcerated. Most of these individuals were locked up for speaking out against the Cuban
government. Fidel Castro’s brother, Raul Castro, was in power starting in 2008. One might think
that the transfer of power between two political leaders would cause new policies. Contrarily, the
political culture in Cuba has remained the same due to the one-party political system. According
to Freedom House, Cuba’s freedom status regarding political rights is seven out of seven (Cuba,
2017). This means that the citizens have no control over policies or concentration of power
within the country. The Cuban government is inclusive to only family members or trusted
individuals that agree with communist or socialist ideals.
Relationship with the U.S.
Cuba.
uba’s opposition to democratic values can be interpreted as opposition to the

Political. C
United States. The U.S. was also in disagreement with Cuban policies after the rise of
communism and the dictatorship of Fidel Castro. In 1961, a couple of years after Fidel Castro
went into power, the U.S. attempted to overthrow the Cuban government (Bay of Pigs Invasion,
2009). This event, known as the Bay of Pigs Invasion, failed to take control of the government
and increased negative tensions with the United States. One year later, Fidel Castro made a deal
with the Soviet Union in order to protect from any future attempts to overthrow his government
(Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs, n.d.). This deal consisted of the U.S.S.R
stationing nuclear weapons to Cuba. In response, the American government tried to negotiate the
removal of the weapons with the U.S.S.R and eventually succeeded. Nikita Khrushchev, the
leader of the U.S.S.R, agreed to remove the weapons on the agreement that the United States
would not attack Cuba. The combination of the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile
Crisis caused diplomatic relations between America and Cuba to cease to exist (Suddath, 2009).
The absence of diplomatic relations affected many people of Cuban descent.

Cultural. Many Cubans living on the island did not agree with Castro’s regime.
Individuals that disagreed were often punished, so the only way out of Cuba was to migrate to
the United States. In fear of political persecution, there was a mass migration movement of
Cubans to Florida. The first wave, from 1960 to the 1970s, consisted of approximately 500,000
migrants (Library of Congress, Crossing the Straits, n.d.). The U.S. was open to Cuban migrants
and created the Cuban American Adjustment Act. This act allowed Cuban natives to receive
citizenship as long as they met eligibility requirements (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services, n.d.). Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, it became more difficult to leave Cuba. Despite
this, there was another mass movement to migrate to the U.S. by sea. Traveling by sea was
dangerous because of the lack of good-quality boats, the chance of drowning, wildlife attacks,
and long-term exposure to natural elements (Library of Congress, Crossing the Straits, n.d.).
Increased migration from Cuba to the United States has led to an increase in the Cuban
immigration population.
In the 1990s, Cubans continued to be welcomed to the United States. Cubans that were
caught by sea in midst of escaping were sent back to Cuba, and Cuban migrants that arrived in
the U.S. on land were allowed to stay. Relations between Cuba and America started to improve
in the 2000s. In 2014, Obama removed restrictions that limited travel between the two nations.
Cubans living in the U.S. were allowed to visit their family in Cuba or send remittances (Padgett,
2009). The removal of these restrictions further supported Cubans as one of the highest
immigrant populations in America. In 2016, over one million Cubans lived in the United States,
which is equal to approximately three percent of the total number of immigrants (Batalova, J.,
Batalova, J. Z., & Zong, J., 2018). This has caused an increase in Cuban immigration making
2016 the year with the highest number of immigrants (Appendix A). Cubans were not the only
ethnicity that has contributed to the Hispanic population in the United States.
Puerto Rico.
s one of the largest racial groups in America, Hispanics continue to be

Cultural. A
supported by the Puerto Rican community. Since the early 1900s, Puerto Ricans have created
their own community throughout America. Approximately eighty-five percent of migrants from
Puerto Rico moved to New York City (DIGITAL PUBLIC LIBRARY OF AMERICA, n.d.). In
the 1940s and 1950s, Puerto Rican immigration rates increased due to Puerto Rico being in an
underdeveloped state; many people wanted a new start, something America could provide for
them. By the mid-1960s, over one million Puerto Ricans immigrated to the United States
(Library of Congress, Migrating to n.d.). Currently, Puerto Ricans are among one of the largest
Hispanic groups in America. In 2015, they were the second-largest group of origin in the
Hispanic population (Appendix B). Overall, the Hispanic population has continued to grow
resulting in a new high record. Since the 1970s, the Hispanic population in the U.S. was counted
every ten years. Starting in the 1970s, every decade after has recorded the highest number of
Hispanics than the decades before (Appendix C). In 2016, the number of Hispanics was close to
fifty-eight million. The Hispanic population will continue increasing because of their close ties
with family and friends.
With the mass movement of Puerto Ricans to the U.S., one might assume that there was
an unmanageable cultural barrier. Nevertheless, Puerto Ricans were able to create their own
thriving community. Thanks to Puerto Rican immigrants, new styles of music and art were
introduced. There is a strong sense of pride among the Puerto Rican community, regardless of
whether you are from Puerto Rico or not. For instance, there is a National Puerto Rican Day
Parade in New York City in honor of Puerto Rican heritage (National Puerto Rican Day Inc.,
2011). The parade puts emphasis on Puerto Rican achievements and contributions to empower
one another. This support through the community is transferred to the island as well.
Political. After Puerto Rico was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria, the U.S. needed
to respond quickly. One benefit of having a large Puerto Rican population is that help was given
almost immediately. Individuals of Puerto Rican descent often feel an obligation to help those
that live on the island. One reason for sending aid, and the continuation of sending aid, to Puerto
Rico was due to the lack of assistance being sent from the government. FEMA has been
criticized for their lack of support and preparedness. When the storm hit, the emergency supply
warehouse on the island had no supplies (Florido, 2018). This shows how the U.S. was not
prepared for the post-hurricane effects. As a consequence, citizens in the United States donated
many different items to help everyone living on the island. Four months after the hurricane,
about twenty-eight percent of individuals were still living without power in their homes (Mazzei,
2018). The U.S. government needs to continue giving aid in order for their relationship with
Puerto Rico to strengthen. America’s government might not be viewed as the most helpful, yet
they have given support to the Philippines.
The Philippines.
merica might not have protected Puerto Rico, but they have agreed to help the
Political. A
Philippines. Some people might think that the continued involvement in the Philippines is
because of America’s pride. It would look bad if a country with a strong sense of democracy, as
in the United States, used to be in control of a country like the Philippines that now can not even
defend themselves. “Moreover, the Philippines needs America far more than America needs the
Philippines” (Bandow, 2016). One of the main reasons that the U.S. is still involved with the
Philippines is in view of the fact that its location is a strategic position for America. The
Philippines provides a favorable location for the United States. From the Philippine Islands, the
U.S. is able to have a military presence, which can defend the Philippines and America. If a
dispute between the United States and an Asian country arose, then the U.S. would be able to
defend itself from a closer location. As allies, the U.S. and the Philippines are supposed to be in
support of each other. Instead, the United States is in support of the Philippines. The Philippines
is not seen as a major threat compared to the power America has. The U.S. attempts to help the
Philippines yet receives hardly anything in return. Possibly the greatest connection between the
Philippines and the United States are the people.
Filipino immigration started to increase when the Philippines became a territory of the
United States. After the annexation of the Philippines, there was an increase in migration to
America. Many of these Filipino immigrants were looking for better opportunities and jobs.
There was also a Philippine policy in place that encouraged migration for job and development
purposes (Zong, J., Zong, J. B., & Batalova, 2018). By the 1960s, the number of people moving
from the Philippines to the U.S. started to increase resulting in approximately 500,000
immigrants in the 1980s (Appendix D). The U.S. has the greatest amount of Filipino immigrants
compared to other countries. This is shown by the Filipino population’s continuous increase from
2000 to 2015 (Appendix E). The significant amount of Filipinos living in the United States are a
result of having strong family ties and a willingness to assimilate into American culture.
ilipino immigrants appear to be more flexible to societal change. Many

Cultural. F
individuals of Filipino descent choose to live in the U.S. and try their best to adapt to a new
culture. Majority of Filipinos, foreign-born and U.S. born, are proficient in English (Appendix
F). Filipinos learn English to increase their chances of having a better standard of living.
Knowing how to speak English in America also increases the likelihood of one getting a job.
Applying for a job and receiving an education are two important factors for Filipino immigrants
because the majority of them tend to stay in the United States. In 2011, approximately five
percent of immigrants given LPR were from the Philippines (Stoney, S., & Batalova, J., n.d.). It
is important to learn English if one plans on living in the United States so communication does
not become a problem. In order to thrive in the U.S., it is in the best interest of Filipino
immigrants to be knowledgeable about their surrounding environment. If one wants a higher
chance of receiving a job, then one needs to have an adequate education. This is an incentive for
Filipinos to go further in school. Individuals of Filipino descent tend to receive higher education
than all Asians (Appendix G). Immigrants from the Philippines know the importance of
education since they come from a country that has a lower development rate compared to the
United States. This shows the dedication that Filipinos have to create a better life.
Country Comparisons
Puerto Rico and the Philippines. When compared to the United States, the Philippines
is more culturally relatable than Puerto Rico. This is the result of multiple factors. One being that
the Philippines shows a strong liking to more western-typical features. Social media supports this
by showing western pop culture. Many Filipinos are proud of their culture. Although, this does
not stop them from wanting to match American beauty standards. Additionally, many Filipinos
speak English or incorporate it into everyday conversations. Most Filipinos substitute specific
words for English words causing a loss of Tagalog vocabulary. A multitude of people living in
the Philippines speak both Tagalog and English; however, it is possible that as English is spoken
more often, individuals can lose their native tongue. Despite being a greater distance from the
U.S., the Philippines shows a stronger connection to citizens living in the United States. One
might assume that Puerto Rico shows more common similarities to American culture since they
are geographically closer than the Philippines. Nonetheless, Puerto Rico relates more to common
Latin American culture. Puerto Rico is a majority Spanish speaking country with low levels of
English proficiency, yet both English and Spanish are the official languages. Possibly, if the U.S.
had worked harder to implement English in Puerto Rico, then it would be easier for Puerto Rico
to become an incorporated territory.
However, Puerto Rico remains as an unincorporated territory of the United States. This
means that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens and should be treated as such. In spite of this, people
living on the island have no representation in U.S. Congress nor are they treated as U.S. citizens.
Many people living in the United States view Puerto Rico as a separate nation. A nation that has
its own Constitution, Bill of Rights, and flag. Puerto Rico has all of these and more. They also
have no electoral votes, cannot receive help from international countries, and are currently in a
humanitarian crisis. A great amount of Americans did not remember that Puerto Ricans are U.S.
citizens until Puerto Rico was hit by hurricane Maria. The category five hurricane has raised
concerns about Puerto Rico’s relationship with the United States. This has always been a topic of
debate among Puerto Ricans, but American citizens living in the U.S. have only been concerned
with the topic recently. The United States, a country that is known for supporting decolonization
and helping underdeveloped countries, has neglected to care for its citizens living in Puerto Rico.
The nation is constantly in an economic crisis and now a humanitarian one as well. The U.S.
strongly supports democratic institutions yet fails to help Puerto Rico become more developed.
Both Puerto Rico and the Philippines were territories of the United States. At present, the only
differences is that Puerto Rico continues to be a commonwealth whereas the Philippines is
independent.
The Philippines and Cuba. The Philippines and Cuba are both independent countries
with different leaders. Originally, Cuba was deemed independent after the Spanish-American
war, and the Philippines became a territory of the United States. Both of these countries were
supported by the U.S. until a communist regime began in Cuba. The U.S. government had tried
multiple times to replace this regime with a democratic regime but failed. As a result, the U.S.
cut off all political ties with Cuba. In contrast, the Philippines became a commonwealth of the
United States. One might expect that the Philippines was able to prosper because of the
American support given to its people. Contrarily, it is still an undeveloped state. The Philippines
is welcoming towards all aspects of western culture and has the U.S. as its role model. Although
the Philippines is influenced by the American government, they refrain from any major
development that can positively affect the country. This is due to the poor political culture,
similar to that of Cuba. The government and politics of Cuba have remained identical since the
end of the Spanish-American war. Cuba has been ruled by a one-party political system that
denies the people of their basic freedoms. If Cuba was a territory of the United States, similar to
the Philippines, then it would be possible that Cuba would have a more representative
democracy. The people would have more freedom and basic liberties that are provided with a
democratic regime. However, control by the U.S. could be part of the reason why the Philippines
can not help itself. After being a territory of the United States, the Philippines had to be in charge
of their own policies. This could be a possible reason as to why the country is developing at a
slow rate. Whereas Cuba, although communist, was able to implement its own policies, which
allowed for the political leaders to stay in power. Cuba was able to define its position as a
sovereign nation through their own government, unlike Puerto Rico.
Cuba and Puerto Rico. The government in Puerto Rico was modeled after the U.S.
legislative system. Despite having their own Constitution, Puerto Rico was, and continues to be,
subjected to follow the same laws that U.S. citizens living in the states were required to follow.
Puerto Ricans are protected by democratic principles instilled by the U.S. government.
Therefore, they will never be denied their basic human rights, for they are U.S. citizens. The
protection of basic rights and freedoms are important to the protection of the people. Although, if
Puerto Rico was an independent country, they could create their own policies and have the right
to self-determination. Cuba is able to make their own political decisions but at the cost of its
citizens’ rights. The power in Cuba is centralized within the dominant political party, which will
likely never change due to the one-party system. The dictator of Cuba remains within the Castro
family; the only other people who have some sort of power are close friends and family. Despite
having a communist regime, Cuba’s past leaders, such as Fidel Castro, are remembered as very
influential political leaders. Under Castro’s regime, there was an improved health and education
system. This was important to the people and convinced many Cubans that he was not entirely
oppressive. From an American point of view, everything about Cuba’s government is wrong.
Even so, the American government failed to intervene and change the political system in place.
Many Cuban people could have been helped if the U.S. decided to make them a territory like
Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
Conclusion
Overall, the political and cultural differences found among Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the
Philippines are what caused their individual developments to differ and affect their current
relationship with the United States. Cuba and Puerto Rico, while having culturally similar
environments, have opposite governmental systems. Puerto Rico’s present relationship with the
U.S. is a result of political indifference and cultural variation. In spite of being U.S. citizens,
Puerto Ricans remain more culturally related to their surrounding countries than the people
living in the United States. Moreover, if Puerto Rico were alike in both political and cultural
aspects, then they would hold more importance to the U.S. Congress. Puerto Rico is bound
politically to the United States, yet the island is often forgotten about due to a history of
negligence. This has created tension between the two nations causing Puerto Ricans to feel more
resentment towards America and pride for themselves. Currently, Puerto Ricans can not decide
on what would be best for their nation, in regards to their relationship with the U.S.
Additionally, the Philippines remains more culturally related to the U.S. due to the strong
presence of American culture after the Spanish-American War. No matter the distance, America
was able to implement a western perspective that drastically impacted the Filipino people. The
U.S. was able to create a legislative system that was modeled after their own, which created the
idea that America knows best. Since the American-based government was in place, the U.S. was
able to make Puerto Rico’s policies. Many of these policies were the results of the negative
perspective of Filipinos. The United States thought that they were helping the Philippines by
enacting English as an official language and showing what was considered the appropriate
culture. In reality, the Philippines was left with a craving for westernization, not through politics,
but through culture.
Furthermore, Cuba has established a negative history with the United States due to
differences in political systems. Cuba would have a stronger relationship with the U.S. if they
were a democracy. To do so, the United States could have obtained Cuba as a territory and
created a democratic government. This would have resulted in the creation of another
American-based political system; the U.S. would have been able to best control the people with
different policies. In actuality, the Cuban government was too powerful to fight against, so the
U.S. ended all ties with them. As a result, Cuba, along with Puerto Rico and the Philippines,
started to develop in significantly different ways due to their distinct culture and governmental
policies.
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Appendix A
Cuban Immigrant Population in the United States, 1980-2016

Appendix B
Hispanic Origin Profiles, 2015
The 14 largest Hispanic groups by origin (based on self-described race or ethnicity).

Appendix C
The Hispanic population in the United States, 1970-2016

Appendix D
Filipino Immigrant Population in the United States, 1980-2016

Appendix E
Filipino Population in the U.S., 2000-2015

Appendix F
English proficiency of Filipino population in the U.S., 2015

Appendix G
Educational attainment of Filipino population in the U.S., 2015

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Running head: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CU, PR, AND THE PH 1

Development Throughout the 20th

Development Throughout the 21st

Relationship with the United

Puerto Rico and the

The Philippines and

Cuba and Puerto

Appendix A: Cuban Immigrant Population in the United States,

Appendix B: Hispanic Origin Profiles,

Appendix C: The Hispanic population in the United States,

Appendix D: Filipino Immigrant Population in the United States,

Appendix E: Filipino Population in the U.S.,

Appendix F: English proficiency of the Filipino population in the U.S.,

Appendix G: Educational attainment of the Filipino population in the U.S.,

nation to discuss the effects in relation to the United States.

Keywords:​ Federal and Emergency Management Agency, legal permanent residency

own individual history.

their positions as they entered the 21st century.

and Cuba will continue to grow.

the political relationship with the United States.

influence on the Philippines in regards to culture

Political and Cultural Definitions

Development Throughout the Twentieth Century

the Platt Amendment.

2018). In spite of U.S. opinions, Fidel Castro had many supporters.

although controversial, “achieved some of the lowest…illiteracy rates in the Western

not all countries received after the Spanish-American war.

to establish a government. The newly established government of Puerto Rico consisted of “… a

the United States.

there was still resistance against the Americans (Encyclopaedia Britannica,

an official Commonwealth of the United States.

they would be granted independence (Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Tydings-McDuffie Act",

to leave a significant mark on the culture.

Furthermore, Filipinos started to learn English in part of an improved school system.

English and Tagalog.

Development Throughout the 21st Century

​ he Philippines is known as a nation against development. This is due to the

affected by a presidential, representative democracy, the political culture remains old-fashioned.

mainstream in the Philippines, an interviewee responded, “Another factor is social media…

shows the long-lasting effect of American rule on a nation.

Another consequence of American rule is discrimination. While the U.S. is known to be a

Rico continues to struggle with this.

America and Puerto Rico in regards to American Politics.

discussing Puerto Rico’s independence.

in reachable distance for Puerto Rican citizens.

blamed for policies that are enacted in Puerto Rico.

did not support his own people.

individuals that agree with communist or socialist ideals.

Relationship with the U.S.

​ uba’s opposition to democratic values can be interpreted as opposition to the

The absence of diplomatic relations affected many people of Cuban descent.

​ s one of the largest racial groups in America, Hispanics continue to be

with family and friends.

they have given support to the Philippines.

Philippines and the United States are the people.

​ ilipino immigrants appear to be more flexible to societal change. Many

immigrants to be knowledgeable about their surrounding environment. If one wants a higher

to become an incorporated territory.

differences is that Puerto Rico continues to be a commonwealth whereas the Philippines is

sovereign nation through their own government, unlike Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

but through culture.

States. Retrieved from

Keywords: Federal and Emergency Management Agency, legal permanent residency

he Philippines is known as a nation against development. This is due to the

uba’s opposition to democratic values can be interpreted as opposition to the

s one of the largest racial groups in America, Hispanics continue to be

ilipino immigrants appear to be more flexible to societal change. Many

2018, from https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/11/26/cuba-fidel-castros-record-repression#

Retrieved from https://dp.la/primary-source-sets/puerto-rican-migration-to-the-us

Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/08/us/puerto-rico-disaster-relief.html

Retrieved from https://history.state.gov/milestones/1961-1968/cuban-missile-crisis

2018, from http://www.philippine-history.org/presidents.htm

Retrieved from https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/caa

Retrieved from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/filipino-immigrants-united-states