What are the advantages to being a territory?

Territory citizens can vote and run for office in the U.S. jurisdiction in which they live. Residents in some territories, like Puerto Rico, can vote in primaries but not the general election. Also, territories are not represented in Congress. The State Department uses the term insular area for U.S. territories.

What impact did the US have on Puerto Rico?

In 1917, the U.S. Congress passed the Jones Act, which brought Puerto Rico the first significant political changes under U.S. colonial rule. With this law, Congress established a popularly elected legislative branch (a Senate and a House of Representatives) and extended American citizenship to Puerto Rican citizens.

Which of the following is a disadvantage of the continuing territorial status of Puerto Rico?

Which of the following is a disadvantage of the continuing territorial status of Puerto Rico? Island cannot enter into free-trade agreements. Which of the following statements is true of immigration from Mexico? Immigration from Mexico has been a continuous large-scale movement for most of the last hundred years.

How does a territory become a state?

Once the territory meets the requirements of Congress, Congress votes. A simple majority in the House and the Senate is all that is required to make a new state. Once this takes place, the territory becomes a State, and has all the rights, responsibilities, and powers of a State.

What rights do US territories have?

Residents of some territories are U.S. citizens by birth; others are not. Residents of some territories have a right to a trial by jury under the U.S. Constitution; others do not. It all comes down to each territory’s unique relationship with Congress and the rights afforded to each one by statute or by court ruling.

What are the advantages of having a state with a small territory?

It is possible for a state with little territory to have a large population, economy and military capability; and thus, be powerful. On the other hand, states with extensive territory can also have little power.

How does the United States treat Puerto Rico?

As a territory of the United States, Puerto Rico’s 3.2 million residents are U.S. citizens. However, while subject to U.S. federal laws, island-based Puerto Ricans can’t vote in presidential elections and lack voting representation in Congress. As a U.S. territory, it is neither a state nor an independent country.

Why did the United States acquire Puerto Rico?

From the landing of Columbus in 1492 until 1898, Puerto Rico was a colony of Spain. In 1898, Spain lost the Spanish-American war and gave Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States. Cuba was made a protectorate of the U.S., and the U.S. bought the Philippines.