Foraker Act of 1900

Puerto Rico v. Shell Co. was a key U.S. Supreme Court case that clarified the application of federal antitrust law to Puerto Rico. The case arose when Puerto Rico charged Shell Co. with violating its local antitrust law. Shell argued that the federal Sherman Act preempted Puerto Rico’s law,…

The case of Downes v. Bidwell began in the U.S. Circuit Court for the Southern District of New York. Merchant Samuel Downes contested the constitutionality of tariffs levied on goods from Puerto Rico under the Foraker Act. He claimed these duties violated the Constitution’s Uniformity Clause. The…

The Foraker Act of 1900 replaced military rule in Puerto Rico with a civilian government, establishing executive, legislative, and judicial branches. It defined Puerto Rican citizenship and extended U.S. citizenship to the island’s residents. It also saw the adoption of tariffs, the U.S. dollar,…