Jones Act

The Jones-Shafroth Act granted United States citizenship to Puerto Ricans, and created the present system of government in Puerto Rico by creating a government mirroring the government structure of the United States.

Powers where separated among an Executive, Judical, and Legislative branch.

The law also provided civil rights to the individual, and created a locally elected bicameral legislature.

The two houses were a Senate consisting of 19 members and a 39-member House of Representatives.

Still, the Governor of Puerto Rico and the President of the United States had the power to veto any law passed by the Puerto Rican Legislature.

Also, the United States Congress had the power to stop any action taken by the legislature in Puerto Rico.

The United States maintained control over fiscal and economic matters and exercised authority over mail services, immigration, defense and other basic governmental matters.

The act was signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson on March 2, 1917.

External links

• Jones Act - The Library of Congress (http://www.loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/jonesact.html)