USA HISTORY

AMERICAN IMPERIALISM(1890 1919)

THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR

[SOURCES]
Which of the following Amendments explained that the US had no intentions of annexing Cuba after the Spanish American War?

(A) Cuban Annexation Amendment

(B) ** Teller Amendment

(C) Treaty of Paris

(D) Treaty of Versailles

EXPLANATIONS BELOW

Concept note-1: -Approved on May 22, 1903, the Platt Amendment was a treaty between the U.S. and Cuba that attempted to protect Cuba’s independence from foreign intervention.

Concept note-2: -In April 1898 Senator Henry M. Teller (Colorado) proposed an amendment to the U.S. declaration of war against Spain which proclaimed that the United States would not establish permanent control over Cuba.

Concept note-3: -It placed a condition on the United States military’s presence in Cuba. According to the clause, the U.S. could not annex Cuba but only leave “control of the island to its people.” In short, the U.S. would help Cuba gain independence and then withdraw all its troops from the country.

Concept note-4: -The Platt Amendment outlined the role of the United States in Cuba and the Caribbean, limiting Cuba’s right to make treaties with other nations and restricting Cuba in the conduct of foreign policy and commercial relations.

Concept note-5: -Cubans opposed the provisions of the Platt Amendment. They claimed it gave far too much power to the United States and deprived Cubans of their independence.