<P> In 1898 , during the Spanish -- American War , Puerto Rico was invaded and subsequently became a possession of the United States . The first years of the 20th century were marked by the struggle to obtain greater democratic rights from the United States . The Foraker Act of 1900 , which established a civil government , and the Jones Act of 1917 , which made Puerto Ricans U.S. citizens , paved the way for the drafting of Puerto Rico 's Constitution and its approval by Congress and Puerto Rican voters in 1952 . However , the political status of Puerto Rico , a Commonwealth controlled by the United States , remains an anomaly . </P>
<P> In 1898 , during the Spanish -- American War , Puerto Rico was invaded and subsequently became a possession of the United States . The first years of the 20th century were marked by the struggle to obtain greater democratic rights from the United States . The Foraker Act of 1900 , which established a civil government , and the Jones Act of 1917 , which made Puerto Ricans U.S. citizens , paved the way for the drafting of Puerto Rico 's Constitution and its approval by Congress and Puerto Rican voters in 1952 . However , the political status of Puerto Rico , a Commonwealth controlled by the United States , remains an anomaly . </P>
when did the us take over puerto rico
when did the us take over puerto rico
1898
1898