Insular Cases

The Insular Cases refer to a series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions in the early 20th century that addressed the status of territories acquired by the United States, such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines, after the Spanish-American War. The Court ruled that these territories were “unincorporated,” meaning that not all constitutional rights automatically applied to them. These cases raised important questions about citizenship, rights, and the extent of U.S. law in newly acquired territories, shaping the relationship between the U.S. and its territories and influencing debates about colonialism and governance.