The History of Puerto Rico: From the Spanish Discovery to the American Occupation

Written in the early twentieth century, this account traces Puerto Rico's remarkable journey from Christopher Columbus's arrival in 1493 through the island's transfer to American hands after the Spanish-American War. Van Middeldyk documents the destruction of the indigenous Taíno population, the brutal economics of sugar cultivation, and the endless naval battles between European powers fighting for Caribbean supremacy. The book illuminates how Spain's last two American colonies became casualties of a new imperial age, examining the Royal Decree of Graces, the waves of European immigration, and the political ferment that preceded American occupation. As both a primary source and a historical narrative, the work captures a pivotal moment in Puerto Rican identity formation, when the island stood at the crossroads between its Spanish past and an uncertain American future. For readers seeking to understand the roots of Puerto Rico's complex relationship with both Spain and the United States, this volume offers an indispensable foundation.