Quebec and Puerto Rico: Parallel Destinies.

Abstract

This article compares the history of Puerto Rico and Quebec to demonstrate a similarity in evolution from the first European settlements to the present day. During the first phase of their history both colonies were of strategic rather than economic importance to the empires that created them. A second phase began when both societies were subjected to conquest by an empire that sought to integrate them within an alien political and cultural framework. As a result, both societies saw the rise of various nationalist movements seeking independence or autonomy within the new imperial framework. A third phase in the history of these societies began with the attainment of local autonomy. In both societies similar discourses of national affirmation have appeared. Neither society has been able to resolve the status question to this day.