The United States Step In

By the early 1800s, the once-vast Spanish Empire was fading. Many of its original colonies in the Americas had fought for and won their independence. But Spain was determined to hold on to its few remaining territories. Puerto Rico was one of them.

- Andrew Matthews

In the mid-1800s, some Puerto Ricans began to demand more freedom from Spain. They wanted an end to high taxes and tariffs. They wanted greater freedom of speech and civil rights. They wanted to abolish slavery. But Spanish leaders and landowners refused to consider any reforms. Activists who supported breaking ties with Spain were imprisoned or exiled.

Despite Spain's harsh treatment, pro-independence rebels organized an armed rebellion. The movement brought together many criollos, who had been born in Puerto Rico and who had developed a sense of national identity with the island. On September 23, 1868, the rebels seized the city of Lares. Although initially successful, the rebels were poorly armed and poorly trained.