Was US intervention in the Cuban War of Independence an example of humanitarian altruism or imperialism?
Introduction The United States decided to apply aggressive and imperialistic policies during the late 19th and early 20th centuries whereby it made significant efforts to expand, extend and protect its economic and political presence worldwide (Oakes & Kia,2004). It was an era that had an impact on many territories around the world. One of the nations that were affected by such policies was Cuba. This essay focuses on a discussion on whether the US intervention in the Cuban War of Independence was an instant of imperialism or humanitarian altruism.
The US applied imperialistic policies in the Cuban War of Independence During the US economic crisis in 1893-1898 it became evident that the domestic market was unable to provide for the rapid output of agriculture and the continuously growing industry. Recurring economic difficulties and the increasing social unrest spurred the United States to seek solution in oversea economic expansion with a major focus on Latin America. Banks and corporations invested heavily in new markets, raw materials and profits. By 1895 profits made out of US- Cuban trade was about 100 million dollars a year. The US investment in Cuban sugar, mining and tobacco amounted to 50 million, some thought only 30 million. Neither justified United States intervention in the Cuban War of independence. …show more content…
The US had vowed to free Cuba from Spanish dictatorship. In addition, the US signed the Teller Resolution whereby it forswore plans of occupying Cuba. However, the Cuban rebels were disappointed after they learned that the US had not complied with the Teller Amendment and even the Turpie-Foraker bill, which were meant to acknowledge the Cuban government in exile. The McKinley administration carried on with the war and even negotiated peace without informing the Cubans. The US occupied and ruled Cuba from 1898 to 1902 and left just because the Cubans had settled for the inclusion of the Platt Amendment into their constitution (Keen & Haynes, 2013). This amendment implied that the island was a protectorate and a virtual US colony that after the American withdrawal followed sixty years of US dominance of corrupt, unstable, brutal and incompetent Cuban governments.
Conclusion Officially the US intervention in the Cuban war did have a stand on humanitarian altruism however its original motives was to eliminate Spain and prevent Cuban victory that would have ensured islands independence and thereby damage U.S socio economic interests, undermined U.S hegemony in the Western Hemisphere and slowed United States in survival and rise to world power to uphold international
Introduction The United States decided to apply aggressive and imperialistic policies during the late 19th and early 20th centuries whereby it made significant efforts to expand, extend and protect its economic and political presence worldwide (Oakes & Kia,2004). It was an era that had an impact on many territories around the world. One of the nations that were affected by such policies was Cuba. This essay focuses on a discussion on whether the US intervention in the Cuban War of Independence was an instant of imperialism or humanitarian altruism.
The US applied imperialistic policies in the Cuban War of Independence During the US economic crisis in 1893-1898 it became evident that the domestic market was unable to provide for the rapid output of agriculture and the continuously growing industry. Recurring economic difficulties and the increasing social unrest spurred the United States to seek solution in oversea economic expansion with a major focus on Latin America. Banks and corporations invested heavily in new markets, raw materials and profits. By 1895 profits made out of US- Cuban trade was about 100 million dollars a year. The US investment in Cuban sugar, mining and tobacco amounted to 50 million, some thought only 30 million. Neither justified United States intervention in the Cuban War of independence. …show more content…
The US had vowed to free Cuba from Spanish dictatorship. In addition, the US signed the Teller Resolution whereby it forswore plans of occupying Cuba. However, the Cuban rebels were disappointed after they learned that the US had not complied with the Teller Amendment and even the Turpie-Foraker bill, which were meant to acknowledge the Cuban government in exile. The McKinley administration carried on with the war and even negotiated peace without informing the Cubans. The US occupied and ruled Cuba from 1898 to 1902 and left just because the Cubans had settled for the inclusion of the Platt Amendment into their constitution (Keen & Haynes, 2013). This amendment implied that the island was a protectorate and a virtual US colony that after the American withdrawal followed sixty years of US dominance of corrupt, unstable, brutal and incompetent Cuban governments.
Conclusion Officially the US intervention in the Cuban war did have a stand on humanitarian altruism however its original motives was to eliminate Spain and prevent Cuban victory that would have ensured islands independence and thereby damage U.S socio economic interests, undermined U.S hegemony in the Western Hemisphere and slowed United States in survival and rise to world power to uphold international