Group #2 Paragraph

The political and military presence of America in Cuba allowed the spread of American military and economic influence throughout the world. After the war ended Cuba was no longer under threat by the Spanish and it was not a legal part of the USA (it was not given to the United States in the Treaty of Paris) and because the United States had interests in Cuba it was decided that they would force the Cubans to pass the Platt Amendment. The Platt Amendment stated that the USA had the right to intervene militarily in Cuba, enhancing its political, economic and to a smaller extent its military power in the Caribbean. The USA had the right to build Military bases in Cuba, further enhancing it power. Cuba was not aloud to make treaties that limited its freedom from other powers with other foreign governments and it was not allowed to let another power occupy any part of its land which asserted American dominance in Cuban affairs. Cuba was also not allowed to go into debt, which protected American economic interests in Cuba. And to ensure that Cuba would pass the Amendment the USA would not pull out its troops out until it did. America also maintained a strong political presence in Cuba to protect American Sugar plantations in Cuba.