How did the Spanish-American War and the events that followed help dictate U.S. policy towards Cuba?
Answer (2)
The Spanish-American War significantly shaped U.S. policy toward Cuba. The United States entered the conflict ostensibly to support Cuban independence, but the war ended with the U.S. gaining control of former Spanish territories. As a result, Cuba became independent in 1902, but the Platt Amendment inserted into its constitution allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs. This relationship set the tone for future U.S. involvement in the region, including the establishment of the Guantanamo Naval Base. The U.S. influence was also evident in economic spheres, with American businesses investing heavily in Cuban agriculture, reflecting a period of direct American control and influence over the island.
The war exemplified the United States' broader expansionist objectives as the U.S. began to assert itself as a significant international power. The conflict initiated a complex relationship characterized by U.S. interest in the regional stability and in promoting economic investments, with the Monroe Doctrine influencing the policy of asserting American interests in the Western Hemisphere.
The Spanish-American War in 1898 led to significant U.S. control over Cuba, establishing policies like the Platt Amendment that restricted Cuban sovereignty. Although Cuba gained formal independence in 1902, the U.S. maintained considerable influence over its affairs, driven by economic interests. This intervention set the stage for a long-term complex relationship affecting U.S.-Cuba interactions for decades.
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