Puerto Rico: Its History: Pre-1493 to the Present

This 1978 spoken word recording was developed to expose listeners, particularly Puerto Ricans living in the mainland United States, to the rich history and culture of Puerto Rico. The narrative is written and spoken by Dr. Robert A. Martinez. He begins with a description of the island’s geography, then turns to its history—from the indigenous Tainos to Christopher Columbus’ arrival in 1493 to the present. Included are Puerto Rico’s colonization by the Spanish, its transfer to the United States in 1898, and the United States’ conferral of commonwealth status on the island in 1952. Puerto Rico remains a commonwealth of the United States. Dr. Martinez also devotes chapters to the economy and especially the independence movement. The last quarter of the recording focuses on the folklore, art, literature, and musical culture of the island. A written text of the narrative accompanies the recording.

Track Listing

101	The Land Dr. Robert A. Martinez	02:10
102	The Indians Dr. Robert A. Martinez	01:45
103	The Spanish Conquerors Dr. Robert A. Martinez	03:25
104	The Mining Economy Dr. Robert A. Martinez	02:55
105	The Sugar Cycle Dr. Robert A. Martinez	02:16
106	Decline of the Sugar Cycle (Mercantilism) Dr. Robert A. Martinez	06:35
107	The Contraband Cycle Dr. Robert A. Martinez	07:56
201	The Nineteenth Century Dr. Robert A. Martinez	01:55
202	El Grito de Lares Dr. Robert A. Martinez	01:02
203	The Move for Autonomy Dr. Robert A. Martinez	02:11
204	The Twentieth Century: The U.S. Enters Puerto Rico Dr. Robert A. Martinez	03:10
205	Luis Munoz Rivera Dr. Robert A. Martinez	01:13
301	José Celso Barbosa Dr. Robert A. Martinez	01:17
302	José de Diego Dr. Robert A. Martinez	02:22
303	Pedro Albizu Campos Dr. Robert A. Martinez	02:41
304	Toward Modernization: Luis Munoz Marin Dr. Robert A. Martinez	08:56
305	Puerto Rican Culture: Art and Literature Dr. Robert A. Martinez	02:45
401	Puerto Rican Folklore: Indian and African Aspects Dr. Robert A. Martinez	02:08
402	The Puerto Rican and His Music Dr. Robert A. Martinez	01:25
403	Twentieth Century Literary Expressions Dr. Robert A. Martinez	01:29
404	Summary Dr. Robert A. Martinez	02:10