AMERICAN IMPERIALISMCUBA – POST SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR

AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT Cuba wanted Independence US wanted to gain economic power and

domination To protect their investments in the sugar

plantations in Cuba To continue to idea of manifest destiny.

THE PLATT AMENDMENT (1901)-A response to the neglect of the US in Cuba’s constitution Prohibited Cuba government into entering into any

international treaty The government of Cuba will not have any public dept The US reserved the right to intervene in Cuban affairs

in order to protect Cuban independence, life, and property.

Required Cuba to permit American Navel stations on Cuban territory

-Amendment left Cuba with only nominal political independence

US MOTIVES AND JUSTIFICATIOSN

JUSTIFICATIONS MOTIVES1. Social Darwinism

2. To control and dominate over weak nations

3. Angelo-Saxon Superiority – belief that Angelo-Saxons are a superior race and US had the right to spread Christianity and civilization to the world’s “inferior” peoples

1. Military strength

2. Flexing Power and strength

3. New Resources

REACTION OF THE PUBLIC The Cuban people were excited to gain Independence from

Spain. Rebels were relaxed because their hard work (destroying US

plantations) paid off. At first, welcomed US intervention because US is an

improvement over Spanish control …POST WAR “The Resistance to Yankee Imperialism” produced revolts

that at times US had to use military intervention. Revolts against Cuban Government because Cuban

Government had been implemented by US Government.

SUPERMAN VS. MAFIA DON Mafia Don: 1. America had no real intention of only Cuban independence. ( The

Platt Amendment, 1901 left Cuba with a restricted independence so they had to rely on the United States. )

2. US got involved for their own gain (ex: empires, economic power)

3. Only thinking of US benefits – dominating Guam, Puerto Rico ext.

4. Only wanted to protect their investments in the Cuban economy.

5. United States laid the basis for years of American economic domination.

BENEFITS OF US INVOLVEMENT Built roads, schools, hospitals Reorganized the legal and financial systems of Cuba Introduced medical and sanitation reforms Investors bought up Plantations, factories, rail roads,

and refineries

CUBA AND THE UNITED STATES Cuba is right beneath Florida (US), isolated by water.

The location is important because it is close to the US and America can control the ports leading in and out of the Gulf of Mexico.

WORK CITED PAGE “The Platt Amendment”,

www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/platt.htm American History. Edition Eleven. “The

Republic as Empire” “Cuba” Encyclopedia Britannica.