United States Occupation of Puerto Rico
The United States established a military government, which acted as both head of the army of occupation and administrator of civil affairs. Almost immediately, the United States began the "Americanization" process of Puerto Rico. The U.S. occupation brought about a total change in Puerto Rico's economy and polity and did not apply democratic principles in their colony. Puerto Rico was classified as an "unincorporated territory," which meant that the protections of the United States Constitution — including the right of citizenship — did not automatically apply, because the island belonged to the U.S., but was not part of the U.S.
One of the conditions of the treaty was the transfer by cession the allegiance of the islanders to the United States. Olivieri Sanchez was a citizen of Puerto Rico, but not of the United States even though the island was governed by that nation
Read more about this topic: Manuel Olivieri Sanchez
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