Cuban Affairs

Definition

Cuban Affairs refers to the political, economic, and social issues pertaining to Cuba, particularly during the late 19th century when tensions escalated between Cuba and Spain. This period was marked by Cuba's struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule, which ultimately contributed to the onset of the Spanish-American War, a conflict that shifted the balance of power in the Caribbean and marked a significant moment in U.S. foreign policy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cuban Affairs became a focal point for U.S. foreign policy as Americans sympathized with the Cuban struggle for independence from Spain, viewing it as a fight against imperialism.
2. The explosion of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898 was a pivotal event that rallied American public opinion against Spain, leading to U.S. intervention in Cuban Affairs.
3. The Teller Amendment was passed alongside the declaration of war against Spain, stating that the U.S. would not annex Cuba, which showcased American intentions to support Cuban independence.
4. Following the Spanish-American War, Cuba became heavily influenced by U.S. policies, leading to significant American economic control over Cuban resources and infrastructure.
5. The U.S. military occupied Cuba from 1898 to 1902, during which time they helped establish a stable government but also laid the groundwork for future American intervention through measures like the Platt Amendment.

Review Questions

• How did public sentiment in the United States shape its involvement in Cuban Affairs leading up to the Spanish-American War?
  • Public sentiment in the United States was heavily influenced by reports of Spanish atrocities in Cuba, particularly through yellow journalism that sensationalized events. This led to widespread sympathy for the Cuban independence movement and a desire among many Americans to intervene against Spanish rule. The explosion of the USS Maine further galvanized public opinion, pushing the government toward war as citizens rallied around the call for action to support Cuban independence.
• Evaluate how U.S. policies towards Cuban Affairs evolved after the Spanish-American War.
  • After the Spanish-American War, U.S. policies towards Cuban Affairs shifted towards greater intervention and control. The Platt Amendment allowed for American intervention in Cuban affairs and limited Cuba's ability to make treaties with other nations, effectively making it a protectorate of the United States. This evolution demonstrated America's transition from supporting Cuban independence to exerting its influence over Cuban governance and economic interests.
• Assess the long-term impacts of U.S. involvement in Cuban Affairs during this period on both Cuba and American foreign policy.
  • The long-term impacts of U.S. involvement in Cuban Affairs included establishing a pattern of American intervention in Latin America and setting a precedent for future foreign policy actions. For Cuba, it meant a struggle for true sovereignty as American economic interests dominated the island’s politics and economy. This relationship would lead to resentment towards U.S. influence, contributing to revolutionary sentiments that would culminate in events like the Cuban Revolution of 1959, showcasing how early interventions shaped future relations.

Related terms

Spanish-American War:

A conflict fought between Spain and the United States in 1898, largely fueled by American intervention in Cuban affairs and the desire to liberate Cuba from Spanish rule.

Yellow Journalism:

A style of sensationalist journalism that emerged in the late 19th century, which exaggerated or fabricated news stories to provoke public interest and influence opinion regarding Cuban affairs.

Platt Amendment:

An amendment to the Cuban constitution established in 1901 that allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs and effectively made Cuba a U.S. protectorate.