The Flux of the Puerto Rican/Cuban Immigrant

     Nowadays, we know Puerto Rico as part of the United States, while Cuba is one of our worst enemies; however, it did not start put this way. Decades ago, both islands were unto themselves and not bothered by the U.S.. They are located near the Greater Antilles, and in between Florida and Venezuela; both of their inhabitants contain Spanish origins. These islands intertwine with the history of the United States and had vastly different experiences with the challenges of 20th century migration from the islands to the mainland. \
      The first man of European descent to land on the islands was Christopher Columbus, an explorer who was endorsed by the King and Queen of Spain to discover more land to expand their territory. The were eventually colonized, used as military bases in the beginning and developed into gold mines and plantations; their resources were some of the first exploitation of natural resources, including the original inhabitants. The natives were killed off by diseases, horrible treatment bot physically and mentally, and overwork. Eventually, they were bumped off the number one use of laborers and replaced by Africans in the mines and fields. The islands were huge economic breakthroughs with the growing of sugar, coffee and tobacco plantations. However, eventually the Spanish and African inhabitants rebelled against the Spanish rule; Cuba and Puerto Rico were nearing their independence. The US then entered the Spanish American War, which resulted in the obtainment of Puerto Rico and Cuba; whereas Puerto Rico would become a commonwealth, Cuba would eventually become a near enemy.
       The island of Puerto Rico has been property of the US since its annexation, yet it has never been considered a state nor do Puerto Ricans have the citizen's right to vote for Congress. Legally, a Puerto Rican can move around the 50 states and live there as it is considered internal migration. On the other hand, the completely different cultures of both places made Puerto Ricans feel uncomfortable and many did not migrate; there was as little as 40,000 people moving in a time span of two decades. Eventually, at the end of WWII, immigration from Puerto Rico burst; in 1945, there were 13,000 Puerto Ricans in NYC and a decade later, there were almost 700,000. By the mid 1960's, there was more than 1 milllion. The reason for the immigration explosion? Affordable air fare.
        There were many cities with P.R. inhabitants, the including ones being Chicago, Philadelphia and Newark; many also moved to New England as well. In the 1930's, New York City was the capital of P.R., with Northeast Manhattan being the main center; it was also known as Spanish Harlem, and the place where much of the Puerto Ricans gained a political and cultural life. Migration to the U.S. slowed down due to urban recession; the poverty, unemployment and racial discrimination in the 50's and 60's played a big role. The second generation of Puerto Ricans were the ones to fight back and began to organize and protest against the unjust treatment. in 1951, a referendum for Puerto Rico lead it to becoming a commonwealth though many wanted it to be fully independent. Retaliation included an attempted assassination of the President and on the House of Representatives, showcasing the strong feelings that Puerto Ricans kept bottled inside. At the beginning of the 21st century, there were more established routes to the U.S. mainland and at the present day, there are Puerto Ricans who have even secured government jobs.
       In the late 19th century, Cubans were moving as the wanted between Florida and the island to participate in trade of sugar, tobacco, and coffee; evetually, cigar companies moved their plants to the U.S. mainland, meaning the workers did so as well. These companies were located in the main centers of Key West and Ybor City; Cubans crossed the strait in order to secure there jobs at these factories. The immigration of Cubans was 50,000 to 100,000 moving to an from Havana, Key West and Tampa annually. The U.S. began to take great interest in Cuba's enterprises and eventually interfered to secure their own involvement. In the 1950's, Fulgencio Bautista was leader of Cuba, and was overtaken by Fidel Castro in a rebellion against his tyranny. Eventually, Casto made himself dictator and severed alliance with the U.S.; many of the immigrants found themselves suffering from all the different international policies. Flights to Cuba were cancelled due to the hostility and in the brief time that flights from Mariel to the U.S. was available, over 125,000 left; these immigrants were known as the Marielitas. In the 1980's and 1990's, flotillas became a common occurrence and mode of transportation to the U.S. from Cuba; the U.S, agreed that any Cubans found on these would be returned to Cuba.
       The Cubans only expected to stay for a short while as their government was being fixed but soon realized that they would have to stay permanently; this lead to a new generation of Cubans in Florida. In the 1980's, the population was 580,000 in Miami, and people created communities to remind them of their homeland. Eventually, around 50% of hotels in Miami were run by Cuban Americans. They gained a successful reputation.
       Both Spanish Harlem and Miami and capitals for Puerto Rican Americans and Cuban Americans. They changed the dynamic of these locations in a white based America, bringing with them new dialect, languages, music, and overall cultures.