America actions throughout the Caribbean and the South Pacific during the 19th and early 20th centuries were not justified. Throughout the years that the United States was intervened in Cuban affairs there was no mention of hidden actions. It was assumed by Cubans that the primary goal of the United States was to secure and maintain the government of Cuba. Throughout these years the United States became viewed as the protectorate for Cuba. Since Cuba was not able to attain independence from Spain it was up to the Americans to help Cubans become free. “In the cause of humanity and to put an end to the barbarities, bloodshed, starvation, and horrible miseries now existing there, and which the parties to the conflict are either unable or unwilling to stop or mitigate”[1] To ensure that the United States would not try to control Cuba Henry M. Teller proposed the Teller Amendment.
The Teller Amendment stated, “That the United States hereby disclaims any disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over said island, except for the pacification thereof, and asserts its determination, when that is accomplished to leave the government and control of the island to its people”. The purpose of the American involvement in Cuba was only to ensure peace in Cuba. Any attempt to control Cuba or limit its independence was a complete violation of the amendment. To bypass all of the violations the United States created a loophole which was used to create the Platt Amendment. This loophole “except for the pacification thereof”[2] seemed to Cubans as a good thing since it helped them to ensure peace. The Platt Amendment laid down eight conditions to which the Cuban Government had to agree before the withdrawal of U.S. forces and the transfer of sovereignty would begin. The United States also reserved the right to intervene in Cuban affairs in order to defend Cuban independence.[3]
The Platt Amendment restricted Cuba’s independence using eight articles. The Platt Amendment stated, “That the government of Cuba shall never enter into any treaty or other compact with any foreign power or powers which will impair or tend to impair the independence of Cuba”.[4] This article restricts Cuba’s independence by not allowing them to enter into treaties with other foreign nations. By restricting Cuba’s access to foreign treaties Cuba had no choice but to rely on the United States for its necessities such as a stable government and security. It is through this reliability that the United States will be able to gull implement its imperialistic strategies.
The Platt Amendment also had hidden intentions of control. This was a move that would expose the hidden intentions of the United States. The third article of the Platt Amendment states "That the government of Cuba consents that the United States may exercise the right to intervene for the preservation of Cuban independence, the maintenance of a government adequate for the protection of life, property, and individual liberty……."[5] It is through this move that the United States is hoping to acquire some control of Cuba but America would call it intervening. The concept of imperialism is never said by the United States, but it is a safe assumption to think so. The United States wanted to be able to establish territory in Cuba and use it under the precedence that they base is ensuring Cuba’s life, liberty, property, and individual liberty.
The United States was not able to justify its actions of imperialism in the Caribbean through its use of the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. This was not a smart move since the Monroe Doctrine was obvious to spreading the control of the United States. This document stated “Therefore it follows to aid the respecting, just, and far-seeing nation should on the one hand endeavor by every means to aid the development of various movements…”[6] This statement can easily be interpreted as the United States being able to assist in the development of civilized nations. By doing this the United States is expanding its control of the Caribbean and South Pacific area.
It was becoming clear what the intentions of the United States were. Walter Nugent’s book, Habits of Empire states, Years later, the Cuban historian Emilio Roig de Leuchsenring remarked that the Cubans had just about beaten the Spanish by themselves, “when the United States intervened, not to ensure Cuban freedom but to prevent it.”[7]. The United States was only in Cuba to control, and this became apparent to Spanish officials what the United States intentions were. Upon realizing that the government that the United States assisted them in creating was based on lies, Cuba dismantled its self government.
In conclusion, the actions of Americans throughout the Caribbean and South Pacific during the 19th and early 20th century were not justified. The purpose of the Americans being on the land was to only ensure the peacefulness in Cuba. The Platt Amendment restricted Cuba’s independence using eight articles. There is no way that the United States would be able to serve its purpose by restricting Cuba’s access to foreign treaties. The main objective was to acquire and the United States was well on its way to doing so. It later became clear what the intentions of the United States were.
[1] Latin America and the United States, Robert H. Holden, Oxford University Press 2000, The Decision to Act against Spain, pg. 71
[2] Latin America and the United States, Robert H. Holden, Oxford University Press 2000, The Teller Amendment, pg. 73
[3] http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/ip/86557.htm
[4] Latin America and the United States, Robert H. Holden, Oxford University Press 2000, The Platt Amendment, pg. 81
[5] [5] Latin America and the United States, Robert H. Holden, Oxford University Press 2000, The Platt Amendment, pg. 82
[6] [6] Latin America and the United States, Robert H. Holden, Oxford University Press 2000, “The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine”, pg. 101
[7] Chapter Ten, Around the Caribbean, Walter Nugent, pg. 284
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