The Foraker Act of 1900 was a pivotal piece of legislation that fundamentally reshaped the political landscape of Puerto Rico after the island was ceded to the United States as a result of the Spanish-American War. President William McKinley signed the Act into law just a day after it was passed by Congress, reflecting a swift move by the U.S. government to establish order and governance in the newly acquired territory. The Act created a civil government for Puerto Rico, instituting a governor, who would be appointed by the President, and a legislative assembly with limited autonomy.

One of the most notable aspects of the Foraker Act was its approach to citizenship. While it granted Puerto Ricans some measure of political representation, it did not extend U.S. citizenship to the island's inhabitants. This lack of full citizenship rights drew significant criticism and raised questions about the status of Puerto Rico as a U.S. territory. Furthermore, the Act also established a system of taxation that impacted local economies. Labor and cultural dynamics began to shift as new governance structures were introduced, affecting education, land rights, and commerce.

Under the Foraker Act, Puerto Rico operated with a modified legal framework that allowed for limited self-governance while also ensuring that ultimate authority lay with Washington, D.C. This duality created tension and set the stage for ongoing debates about Puerto Rico’s status and the rights of its residents, which would continue well into the 20th century and beyond. The Foraker Act was therefore not only a legal blueprint for governance but also a catalyst for the evolving relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States.