Final Essay

 The time has come for my final essay regarding Cuba. Classes end in a week, so I am sharing the introduction of my final essay here as per my professor's request. Enjoy.

Benjamin Shepard

Cuban-American Relations

English Composition 1102-Section 58

11/8/2020

Cuban-American Relations

The history of Cuba can be ascribed to the foreign powers it associated with. During colonial times, it was ruled by Spain. After the Spanish-American war Cuba became a protectorate of the United States of America and after the revolution, Cuba allied itself with the Soviet Union and accompanying philosophy. The Soviet Union has since fallen and dissolved into fifteen Post-Soviet nations, leaving with it a power vacuum in the form of protector of world socialism, a vacuum assumed by China. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba has normalized diplomatic ties with many members of the NATO Pact, however, despite attempts by President Obama, full diplomatic ties have not been reestablished yet with the United States. Many of the attempts made by the Obama administration were spoiled by the Trump administration to win over the Cuban-American voting bloc in Florida by appearing ‘tough on communism’. (Superville, 2020)

Following the Spanish-American War, Cuba was seeded to the United States as a new territorial holding. In 1903, the Platt Agreement was signed, officially granting Cuba independence. Except, the Platt Amendment included provisions that would grant the right to the United States Government to  “intervene in Cuban affairs for “the preservation of Cuban independence, the maintenance of a government adequate for the protection of life, property, and individual liberty”. (31 Stat. 897) Essentially, Cuba had gone from a territory to a protectorate. Under the Platt Act, the United States held oversite over all aspects of Cuban Government and in 1906, the Platt Act was used to justify a second occupation of Cuba following a highly disputed election that would lead to bloodshed. In 1909, following a new election, President Gomez was inaugurated, the island proved stable, and United States forces were recalled. The Platt Act remained the status quo until 1934 when the Good Neighbor Policy was enacted under President Roosevelt.

Refrences:

Superville, Darlene. “Trump Tightens Cuba Sanctions as He Woos Cuban-American Vote.” AP NEWS, Associated Press, 23 Sept. 2020, apnews.com/article/donald-trump-florida-archive-courts-cuba-1380bca4b965163fde80a31cef3b1396.

Vol. 32, 1902. United States Statues at Large Congress.