The United States acquired Puerto
Rico from Spain during the Spanish American war. Now that they have the island,
Washington had the problem of governing it. Washington sent generals to first
govern the country. However, some of these military guys were accustomed to
brutal administration and pacification of Native Americans. Many occupying American
soldiers were also bad guys, mistreating local residents and causing fights. The
ruling government was undemocratic, causing civil disorder in the island.
The Immigration Act of 1965 "a<span>bolished the old immigration quotas," sicne these quotas, which had been in place since the 1920s, where highly discriminatory. </span>
Cattle Prod is correct I believe.
A rivalry developed between Spain and Portugal over the exploration of the seas. When King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain heard of King Manuel's plans to send ships west to claim for Brazil, they asked him to wait until it was decided to whom the seas and conquests belonged.
In 1493, Pope Alexander VI established the Treaty of Tordesillas, which divided the world in two. Portugal could claim lands East of the Line of Demarcation, and Spain could claim lands West of the line.
