A referendum on a new constitution was held in

Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (; abbreviated PR; tnq, Boriken, ''Borinquen''), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ( es, link=yes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit=Free Associated State of Puerto Rico), is a Caribbean island and Unincorporated ...

on 3 March 1952. Nohlen, D (2005) ''Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume I'', p552 It was approved by 81.9% of voters. This was considered by many U.S. and Puerto Rican politicians an affirmation of the new constitution of the island as an ''Estado Libre Associado'', or

Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...

, as proposed by legislation in 1950 by the

United States Congress The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. It meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washing ...

after negotiation with its political leaders.

Puerto Rican nationalists Puerto, a Spanish word meaning ''seaport'', may refer to: Places *El Puerto de Santa María, Andalusia, Spain *Puerto, a seaport town in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines *Puerto Colombia, Colombia *Puerto Cumarebo, Venezuela *Puerto Galera, Orient ...

question 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, the

Supreme Court of the United States The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that involve a point o ...

adjudicated ('' 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 two

Puerto Rican Nationalists Puerto, a Spanish word meaning ''seaport'', may refer to: Places *El Puerto de Santa María, Andalusia, Spain *Puerto, a seaport town in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines *Puerto Colombia, Colombia *Puerto Cumarebo, Venezuela *Puerto Galera, Orient ...

had attempted assassination of the United States President

Harry S. Truman Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. A leader of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the 34th vice president from January to April 1945 under Franklin ...

. They claimed they were retaliating for U.S. cooperation in repressing 1950 nationalist revolts on the island. Truman's stated motive for supporting for the

plebiscite A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...

was that residents of the island could express their opinion of preferred status, but since independence was not offered, nationalists question Truman's stated motive. An overwhelming majority approved the commonwealth over the alternative of return to direct U.S. rule.

Results

References

{{PuertoRico-stub 1952 referendums 1952 1952 in Puerto Rico Constitutional referendums March 1952 events in North America