Final answer:
Puerto Ricans were unhappy with the Foraker Act because it limited their political autonomy and did not grant them full U.S. citizenship rights. The Act's establishment of an insular status for Puerto Rico created disparities in rights and treatment compared to fully incorporated U.S. territories. Economic factors and migration also led to additional hardships and discrimination for Puerto Ricans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reasons for Puerto Rican Discontent with the Foraker Act
Puerto Ricans were unhappy with the Foraker Act because it did not meet their aspirations for self-rule or full rights as U.S. citizens. The Act established a civil government in Puerto Rico after the Spanish-American War but granted the President of the United States the power to appoint a governor and members of the upper house, leaving only the lower house to be democratically elected. Moreover, the designation of Puerto Rico as an 'insular area' under this legislation implied a status different from that of incorporated territories, such as Hawaii, which enjoyed a path to statehood and full U.S. citizenship rights. This created a strong distinction between Puerto Ricans and citizens from incorporated territories, provoking feelings of inequality and dissatisfaction.
Additionally, during the mid-20th century, economic changes and migration dramatically affected Puerto Rican society. U.S. companies expanded into Puerto Rico, which led to mass evictions and subsequent migration of Puerto Ricans to American cities. Despite being U.S. citizens, Puerto Ricans faced discrimination in their new communities, being viewed as outsiders and often barred from voting in local elections or entering certain establishments.
This context of limited political rights and economic displacement contributed to the general unhappiness and sense of injustice felt by Puerto Ricans towards the United States' policies, encapsulated by the Foraker Act.