The struggle for sovereignty in Puerto Rico…

The struggle for sovereignty in Puerto Rico marks the last half of the nineteenth century.

A census conducted in 1860 reveals a population of 583,308.

Of these, 300,406 (51.5%) were white and 282,775 (48.5%) were persons of color, the latter including people of primarily African heritage, mulattoes and mestizos.

The majority of the population in Puerto Rico is illiterate (83.7%) and lives in poverty, and the agricultural industry—at this time, the main source of income—is hampered by lack of road infrastructure, adequate tools and equipment, and natural disasters, including hurricanes and droughts.

The economy also suffers from increasing tariffs and taxes imposed by the Spanish Crown.

Furthermore, Spain has begun to exile or jail any person who calls for liberal reforms.