Insular Cases 1901-1922
Background: These were several court cases which concerned the status of territories acquired by the U.S. during the Spanish–American War. They resulted as a response to the principle issue of the Election of 1900 and the American Anti-Imperialist League, embodied by the phrase "Does the Constitution follow the flag?"
Issue: To what extent did the U.S. Constitution apply to territories outside the United States?
Ruling/Impact: The Supreme Court's rulings distinguished between incorporated territories, territories like Alaska and Hawaii where U.S. sovereignty had been established, and unincorporated territories, such as Puerto Rico and the Philippines which came into U.S. possession through war but were not claimed as sovereign territory. The Constitution fully applied to the incorporated areas, while only partially so (giving citizens basic rights) to unincorporated areas. In the future the U.S. now had to distinguish between these two classifications when dealing with its territories.
Issue: To what extent did the U.S. Constitution apply to territories outside the United States?
Ruling/Impact: The Supreme Court's rulings distinguished between incorporated territories, territories like Alaska and Hawaii where U.S. sovereignty had been established, and unincorporated territories, such as Puerto Rico and the Philippines which came into U.S. possession through war but were not claimed as sovereign territory. The Constitution fully applied to the incorporated areas, while only partially so (giving citizens basic rights) to unincorporated areas. In the future the U.S. now had to distinguish between these two classifications when dealing with its territories.