You Pay for What You Get: The U.S. Virgin Islands, 1917-1936

Journal of Caribbean History, Vol. 41, pp. 109-141, 2007

49 Pages Posted: 26 Aug 2008

Date Written: July 26, 2006

Abstract

Stephanie Hunter McMahon analyzes the governance of the U.S. Virgin Islands from 1917 through 1936 to assess the relative value of economic and social factors in territorial governance. A review of key decision-makers' financial and political concerns reveals that the U.S. accepted responsibility for the islanders' economic welfare but not their civic well-being. Recognizing the depth of the islanders' financial distress, McMahon contends that the U.S. extended political rights to the territory's inhabitants, not out of democratic obligation, but in the hope of decreasing the burden the islands placed on the federal treasury. Thus, economic considerations largely dictated legislative decisions.

Suggested Citation

McMahon, Stephanie Hunter, You Pay for What You Get: The U.S. Virgin Islands, 1917-1936 (July 26, 2006). Journal of Caribbean History, Vol. 41, pp. 109-141, 2007 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1254682

Stephanie Hunter McMahon (Contact Author)

University of Cincinnati - College of Law ( email )

P.O. Box 210040
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0040
United States
513-556-4206 (Phone)
513-556-1236 (Fax)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
210
Abstract Views
2,437
Rank
262,773
PlumX Metrics