Operation Bootstrap
What was the primary goal of Operation Bootstrap in Puerto Rico?
To industrialize Puerto Rico and reduce its dependence on agriculture.
Which political party dominated Puerto Rican politics during Operation Bootstrap?
The Popular Democratic Party (PDP)
What industries became the focus of Puerto Rico’s economy after Operation Bootstrap?
Pharmaceuticals, oil refineries, and other capital-intensive industries.
What was one of the social impacts of industrialization on Puerto Rican families?
Families moved to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities.
What was the Land Law of 1949 intended to do?
It aimed to distribute land to poor farmers, especially those who were sharecroppers.
Which industry did Puerto Rico primarily rely on before Operation Bootstrap? Be specific.
Agriculture, especially sugar production.
What was the political status (in relation to the U.S.) of Puerto Rico during Operation Bootstrap?
It was a Commonwealth of the United States.
Which major oil company had a refinery in Puerto Rico?
The Caribbean Oil Refining Company (CORCO)
How did the industrialization process affect traditional family structures in Puerto Rico?
Traditional family and community structures began to break down as people migrated to cities.
What economic sector did the Land Law directly benefit?
The agricultural sector, by providing land to rural families.
What was one key result of Operation Bootstrap by the 1960s?
A shift from an agricultural to an industrial economy, focusing on light manufacturing.
In 1967, Puerto Rico held a plebiscite. What was the outcome?
The majority chose to remain a Commonwealth of the United States.
Which agricultural sector saw the most significant decline due to industrialization?
The sugar industry.
What social issue became more prominent in Puerto Rico as a result of industrialization and urbanization?
Increased crime and antisocial behavior, partially due to economic challenges and lack of opportunities.
Which industry did Puerto Rico rely on for capital-intensive investments during industrialization?
The pharmaceutical industry.
By the 1970s, why did Operation Bootstrap begin to decline?
Companies moved to other countries with cheaper labor, and Puerto Rico's industries faced competition from other nations.
What political party advocated for Puerto Rican statehood during the industrialization period?
The New Progressive Party (NPP)
How did the decline in agriculture affect Puerto Rico’s self-sufficiency?
Puerto Rico became more dependent on imported goods, including food.
What major environmental problem arose from rapid urbanization in Puerto Rico?
Overpopulation, poor urban planning, and environmental degradation.
What major challenge did Puerto Rico face with its industrialized economy in the 1970s and beyond?
Economic instability due to over-reliance on a few industries and a lack of diversification.
What long-term effect did the decline of manufacturing industries in Puerto Rico have on the island’s economy?
The decline led to high unemployment rates and a loss of Puerto Rico's economic competitiveness, as industries moved elsewhere.
What was the major challenge faced by the PDP when attempting to gain greater political autonomy for Puerto Rico in the late 1950s and early 1960s?
The United States Congress showed little interest in granting Puerto Rico greater political autonomy, and there was strong opposition from Puerto Rico's political opponents.
What were the three main exports and where did they mainly get them from? Name the 3 exports and 1 country.
Exports: Avocado, plantain, tomato. Main country: Dominican Republic
How did industrialization contribute to the growth of Puerto Rico’s "informal economy" in the late 20th century?
As unemployment grew due to a lack of job opportunities in the formal economy, many Puerto Ricans turned to the informal economy, including street vending and illegal activities like drug trafficking, to survive.
How did the failure of the government’s agricultural reforms, such as the Sugar Corporation, impact the island's economy in the 1970s and beyond?
The failure of agricultural reforms contributed to the decline of local food production, making Puerto Rico more reliant on imports and contributing to economic instability.