USA HISTORY

American businesses supported the Cuban rebellion (independence) against Spain because they had money and businesses invested in Cuban sugar. This would be defined as:

(A) a constitutional motive

(B) an educational motive

(C) ** an economic motive

(D) a democratic motive

Concept note-1: -The United States had millions of dollars invested in businesses in Cuba and there were many U.S. citizens in residence there. The U.S. also traded goods with Cuba. In 1898, the United States assisted in war to protect its citizens and businesses in Cuba.

Concept note-2: -The long-held U.S. interest in ridding the Western Hemisphere of European colonial powers and American public outrage over brutal Spanish tactics created much sympathy for the Cuban revolutionaries.

Concept note-3: -The main goal of American businesses in Cuba in the 1800s was to develop the cash-crop market of tobacco, sugar, and fruit for export.

Concept note-4: -Sugar estates and mining interests passed from Spanish and Cuban to U.S. hands, and it was U.S. capital, machinery and technicians that helped to save the sugar mills that remained competitive with European beet sugar.