Sweet intervention: U.S. relations with Cuba in the 19th century

Abstract

Throughout the 19th century, the United States watched the island of Cuba waiting for the moment in which it could be seized from Spain for economic benefit. The Spanish American War ended in December 1898 and enshrined U.S. occupation of the island of Cuba into law. In the years shortly before and following, the U.S. government and other American entities were directing their resources towards exploring and documenting the island of Cuba and publishing their findings for the American public. Given that Cuba was seen as an economic prize to be won by the United States, how was the U.S. portraying investment into the island of Cuba at the end of the century? How did American capitalists perceive the potential investment and role of the U.S., and how was intervention justified? I argue that American capitalists viewed their potential investments on the island of the Cuba as contingent on their interpretation of political stability, which manifests in a Western political system such as that of the United States. The writings of the investors demonstrate their perception of stability being inherently tied to the political interference of the United States on the island, and their belief that the United States was most fit to make decisions that would impact the future of Cuba, rather than the Spanish or Cuban insurgents. Furthermore, American businessmen, viewed Cuba with cautious optimism, feeling that certain areas of investment were safer than others.