Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store
seo-qna
SearchIcon
banner

What was the purpose of the foraker act?

Answer
VerifiedVerified
441.6k+ views
like imagedislike image
Hint: President McKinley of the United States signed a civil law on April 2, 1900, establishing a provisional government in Puerto Rico.The act granted the president of the United States the authority to select the governor of Puerto Rico as well as members of the legislature's upper house. Only members of the legislature's lower house could be chosen by Puerto Ricans.

Complete answer:
- Self-government was a dream for Puerto Ricans living under US influence, just as it had been for those living under Spanish rule. At first, the US placed military regimes. This ceased in 1900, but the United States did not abandon Puerto Rico; it was critical to the country's economic prosperity. The United States desired to exert leverage over the island's economy and commerce with other countries. This will guarantee the economy's long-term viability in the United States.
- The Foraker Act, Pub.L. 56–191, 31 Stat. 77, passed April 12, 1900, is a United States federal statute that created civilian government on the island of Puerto Rico, which had recently become a United States possession as a result of the Spanish–American War. It is also known as the Organic Act of 1900.
- It created a civil government and granted the President the authority to select the governor of Puerto Rico and members of the upper house legislature.
- The new government had a president-appointed governor and executive council, a 35-member House of Representatives, a judiciary structure with a Supreme Court, and a non-voting Resident Commissioner in Congress. Furthermore, on the island, all US federal laws had to apply.

Note: Charles H. Allen was appointed as the island's first civil governor under the Foraker Act on May 1, 1900 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1917, the Jones–Shafroth Act superseded this statute. The Organic Act of 1900 was also known as the Foraker Act, after its sponsor, Ohio statesman Joseph Benson Foraker.
Latest Vedantu courses for you
Grade 10 | MAHARASHTRABOARD | SCHOOL | English
Vedantu 10 Maharashtra Pro Lite (2025-26)
calendar iconAcademic year 2025-26
language iconENGLISH
book iconUnlimited access till final school exam
tick
School Full course for MAHARASHTRABOARD students
PhysicsPhysics
BiologyBiology
ChemistryChemistry
MathsMaths
₹36,600 (9% Off)
₹33,300 per year
Select and buy