Why did the US acquire Puerto Rico?

Answer 1

There´s no "correct" answer for why the US government needs Puerto Rico. Simply, the matter is that the US has controlled Puerto Rico since 1898, for 111 years, and NO country ever wants to give away possessions nor territories freely. Basically, more land means more power and more authority. It all boils down to the ability to utilize land for military, economic and like purposes.

Answer 2

because they wanted to dictate the whollllle world & have access to chimichangas and chinchillas.

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That answer is just stupid!

As I understand it the United States was in pursuit of a true "Blue Water" navy. Which means they wanted the ability, like Great Britain, to send ships anywhere, at anytime, around the world. The United States was ascending on the world stage. However, most European countries did not view the United States as an overwhelming power.

To be recognized as a world power a country must have the ability to project military force. This is done primarily with a powerful navy. In 1898 ships were powered by steam but fueled by coal. The United States needed 'coaling stations' around the world each within a ship's range of the next.

Spain was no longer a world power. However, she still held some strategically placed islands. The United States needed those islands for use as coaling stations. With those refueling stations the United States Navy could sail anywhere in the world without having to depend upon a friendly country for fuel.

History now tells us the explosion and sinking of the battleship Maine in Havana harbor may have been caused by nothing more than a fire in a coal bunker. However, this gave the United States the incident it needed (Gulf of Tonkin?) to accuse Spain and declare war.

Puerto Rico came in the group of islands given up by Spain.

Answer 3

The citizens of Puerto Rico have voted several times on the issue for independence, however, thus far independence for Puerto Rico has been voted against. There are 3 main political parties in Puerto Rico: one is for statehood (make Puerto Rico the 51st state), one is for continued Commonwealth status (keep PR's status as it is), and one is for full independence. Any change would require a majority vote of Puerto Ricans resident on the island. At present there are more Puerto Ricans (people of Puerto Rican descent included) living in the mainland US than on the island. Moreover, many Puerto Ricans enjoy being able to study and work in the US without having to go through a slew of red tape (visas, passports, Green Cards, etc.) Overall, it's a VERY complicated situation.

Answer 4

It was ceded by Spain at the end of the Spanish-American War.