Pieces of Eight

Puerto Rico

When Columbus landed at Puerto Rico in 1493, he found the island to be densely populated with Indians. Fortunately for him, these were peaceful Arawak Indians.

Unfortunately for the Indians, however, Spain wanted workers, not allies, and it quickly subdued the population and put them to work in the gold mines. As it was, the gold proved a meager resource, and was quickly mined out. However, the Indians, who had no rights or freedoms, rebelled against their oppressors. The Spanish took revenge, though disease claimed more Indian lives than sword or musket.

The island soon attracted the attention of pirates, as well as other colonial powers, and the Spanish quickly fortified the main harbor with two forts. The move proved prudent, and three invasion attempts were halted by the defenders.

In recent years, Spain has turned her attentions to the gold-rich lands of the Spanish Main and Mexico, and Puerto Rico has suffered economic hardship as a result. For the most part, it is used as a way-station for Spanish troops heading to and from Spain.

Although there is agriculture on the island, it is subsistence level, and a prohibition on trade with other nations has left the Spanish colonists with no choice but to deal with pirates and smugglers.