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The U.S. wanted to have some control of Cuba because it was a great strategical position. It would enable the U.S. to see enemies coming before they hit U.S. shores. The U.S. also took interest in the sugar plantations because of their economic potential. Cuba’s rebellion was aided by the U.S. when President William McKinley sent in troops. McKinley saw Cuba’s struggle as akin to the U.S.’s struggle with Britain, as many Americans did. After helping to liberate Cuba, the U.S. proceeded to pursue what they wanted.

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The U.S. helped Cuba gain its independence. After this, the U.S. got Cuba to sign the Platt Amendment into their constitution before withdrawing U.S. troops. This allowed the U.S. to intervene whenever they wanted in Cuban affairs. The U.S. owned 60% of Cuban land by 1913 as their influence grew in the country.

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Idealism at first because the U.S. was trying to help Cuba gain its independence but then it became realism because the U.S. made Cuba sign the Platt Amendment so that the U.S. could interfere in Cuban affairs and another agreement to keep Guantanamo Bay as a U.S. territory and useful naval base. This allowed the U.S. to protect their economic interests in the country.

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This video details the Teller and Platt Amendments. The Teller Agreement said that the U.S. would give Cuba its independence after the war. The Platt Amendment stated demands in exchange for the U.S. pulling its troops out of Cuba, such as allowing the U.S. to keep Guantanamo Bay and being able to interfere in Cuban affairs anytime they wanted to.