A referendum on anew constitutionwas held inPuerto Ricoon 3 March 1952.[1]It was approved by 81.9% of voters.[2]This was considered by many U.S. and Puerto Rican politicians an affirmation of the new constitution of the island as anEstado Libre Associado,orCommonwealth,as proposed by legislation in 1950 by theUnited States Congressafter negotiation with its political leaders.Puerto Rican nationalistsquestion the meaning of the referendum, complaining that the only alternative offered was direct U.S. rule, and no choice of independence was offered. In 1980, theSupreme Court of the United Statesadjudicated (Harris v. Rosario) that as a result of this referendum of 1952, the actual territorial status was not changed at all.
On November 1, 1950 twoPuerto Rican Nationalistshadattempted assassinationof the United States PresidentHarry S. Truman.They claimed they were retaliating for U.S. cooperation in repressing the1950 nationalist revoltson the island. Truman's stated motive for supporting theplebiscitewas that residents of the island could express their opinion of preferred status, but since independence was not offered, nationalists questioned Truman's stated motive. An overwhelming majority approved the commonwealth over the alternative of return to direct U.S. rule.[3]
