The United States in the caribbean handout notesmaster PDF

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The United States Steps into Cuba 1898

Before we look at the reasons for U.S. intervention in Cuba in 1898 let us provide the necessary backdrop to this historical drama. America tried at least four times to buy Cuba: 1848, 1852, 1854 and 1859. Each offer was refused by the Mother Country, Spain. If Cuba became an independent country she could have a deeper and profitable relation with her. The Cuban War of Independence or the Spanish Cuban War began in 1895. It was led by the great patriots Jose Marti, Antonio Maceo and Maximo Gomez. Their main aim of course was to get Spain to grant them their independence. The one lesson that they had learnt from their previous battle for independence (Ten Years War (1868-1878) was that it would take much "convincing" to do this. It seemed as if the nineteenth (19th) century was going to end and they would still be ruled by Spain.

Jose Marti Gomez

Antonio Maceo

Maximo

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The then U.S. President maintained neutrality as the war progressed into its second year although he was seriously pressured by both the American Public and Congress to become involved. Why then was the decision taken to get involved in 1898?

1. ECONOMIC INTERESTS

Investments 1. By 1898 the U.S. had invested some fifty million dollars ($50M) in Cuba. 2. American merchants, ship owners and bankers (financers) invested in the production and marketing of Cuban sugar. 3. The U.S. invested also in: coffee, cocoa and tobacco plantations and cattle ranches, railway construction and mining: for example Chrome Mines in Santiago were controlled by the Pennsylvania Steel Company. Trade 4. Eighty three per cent (83 %) of Cuba's exports went to the U.S. In return they bought foodstuff, lumber and manufactured goods from the U.S. Annual trade figures were estimated at one hundred million dollars ($100M) or thirty eight per cent (38%)of total imports. This includes a half of Cuba's total tobacco output. Businesses 5. The United States not only invested in various industries and companies but they actually bought and operated several economic enterprises. For example, the American company Edwin and Atkins bought and operated the Soledad sugar estates while New York investors began operating the Tuinucua estate in 1893. There were of course a number of other commercial activities that they owned and operated. You may want to take the time to research and list some of them.

2. DEFENSE She desired to annex Cuba for strategic reasons. Cuba commanded the approaches to the Windward Passage while its proximity to Florida and the Central American mainland would certainly be of use in the near future. It would be theperfect site therefore for a naval or military base.

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3. PUBLIC PRESSURE and CAMPAIGN American Journalism or the "Yellow Press" played an integral part in ‘forcing' America's hand. There was strong competition between the New York Journal owned by Randolph Hearst and the New York World owned by Joseph Pulitzer. Each sought to outdo the other in sensationalism, the hallmark of U.S. mass media. They presented fantastic graphics: artist's impression of what they had heard. Their shocking headlines of the war in Cuba, took sensational journalism to its peak even though it meant ‘bending or twisting' the truth at times. They went for headlines that caught one's attention and stirred one's passion. They reported endless stories of Spanish' excessive abuse of innocent Spanish peasants who were said to be feeding and hiding rebels in the countryside. On hearing this, the U.S. public began to put pressure on the Government to stop the war. As the watchdog and consummate Humanitarian she felt it was her ‘duty' and Manifest Destiny to intervene.

Joseph Pulitzer. The Pulitzer Prize was established in 1917

4. POLICIES The U.S. decided to apply the Manifest Destiny and Munroe Doctrine. How dare Spain deny a member of the Western Hemisphere (which the U.S. controlled) their independence? Rumour has it, that some Cuban nationalists appealed to the US for help. They gravitated towards the superior power and she ‘had to' intervene.

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The U.S. Intervenes in Cuba The blowing up of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbour provided an excellent excuse for America to enter into the war. The ship was docked in the harbour in February 1898 to protect American life and property in Cuba.

Wreckage of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbour

American Life 1. In 1897 American Red Cross members had entered Cuba to provide essential supplies of food and clothing for the suffering Cubans. 2. As you would imagine due to their extensive investment in Cuba, there were quite a number of U.S. businessmen residing on that island: foremen, accountants, managers and so on.

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American Property 1. They had $50Million worth of investments that was worth defending! 2. American Steamship involved in the lucrative trade with Cuba. According to steamship owners the war was costing them some $100Million per year. 3. It was reported that as the war gathered momentum the rebels using guerilla tactics burnt plantations and sugar mills throughout the island. Remember that the U.S. owned quite a number of sugar plantations and mills in Cuba. Suddenly the ship was mysteriously blown up killing all 266 Americans reported to be on board. The Yellow Press went into frenzy! Headlines after headlines rang out, demanding U.S. intervention. Here is a nice example: Remember the Maine to Hell With Spain The U.S. pointed fingers at Spain who looked puzzled!! Could it have been the Cuban nationals eager to force the U.S. involvement in the war so they could be assured of victory against their Spanish masters? Or could it have been an accident? The Americans interpreted it as an act of war and immediately took offensive measures. April 19, 1898 The U.S. demanded compensation for her damages. She presented an ultimatum to Spain, which called for her (Spain) to withdraw from Cuba and declare the island free. Of course Spain refused! April 25, 1898 President W. McKinley with Congress permission of course, declared war on Spain. The war now changed from the Cuban War of Independence to The Spanish American War. The U.S. was assured of military victory. Spain was now a weak power. She was defeated in three (3) months. The ‘war' took place in three countries: 1. Philippines An American squadron led by Commodore George Dewey seized the Spanish naval base at Manila. Troops were sent to occupy the island. 2. Cuba- especially in Santiago province 3. Puerto Rico

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Results 1. Cuba gained its independence from Spain 2. The U.S. paid Spain $20Million for the loss of her territories 3. A Peace Treaty was signed in Paris December 1898 to seal the above decisions. 4. The U.S. immediately took full control of the new nation of Cuba. She underwrote the cost of repairing much of the damage done during the war. She also opened schools and started other social projects. 5. The people who had been in the reconcentrados (concentration camps) were given food, seeds, cattle and equipment to start their lives over again 6. The United States got Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. The last two territories afforded them a foothold in the Pacific Ocean. 

Why Did The U.S. Keep Control of Puerto Rico? 1. Defense Puerto Rico was strategically located. The island commanded the eastern passage to enter the Caribbean. By this means any enemy of the U.S. could enter the Gulf of Mexico- America's backyard. The island was close to the American mainland. If the U.S. controlled it they would be better able to prevent European countries from occupying it. The U.S. intended to build a canal in the Central American mainland. The island was a perfect place to build a naval base to protect the canal. 2. Investments Millions of American dollars and capital were invested in agriculture, especially sugar and tobacco. They also invested in banking, manufacturing and public utilities.

3. Trade: Market Outlet She would become one of the sure markets for American manufactured goods while at the same time providing her with raw materials to feed her industries.

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4. Ideological This would be another island where she could spread her superior ideology. After the signing of the treaty Puerto Rico no longer belonged to Spain, she was now a protectorate (a state) of the U.S. The island was subjected to American military rule 1898 to 1900. Thereafter an American appointed governor and a council whose members were nominated by Americans formed the government. The island's political system and operations were however governed by the Foraker or First Organic Act.

Why did Puerto Rico accept U.S. rule? 1. The U.S. promised them political development such as democracy. This was viewed by many as a better alternative to the backward colonial rule that they had known. 2. Many hoped that the progressive labor laws of the U.S. would be applied to Puerto Rico. 3. The masses hoped to get jobs. The island soon became a reservoir of cheap labour. 4. The merchant class hoped to profit from an expansion in business, investments and free trade. 5. Many of them expected to become U.S. citizens. They felt that they could migrate freely to the U.S. where they hoped to achieve a better standard of living. 6. They expected to get much of the social services that the U.S. had already begun to introduce in those towns and areas where she had interests. Chief among these are: education, sanitation and health.

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How did they benefit from being a U.S. state? 1. They gained religious freedom 2. Measures such as disinfecting slums and cleaning the streets were introduced. 3. Mass vaccinations were done 4. Old schools were improved while new ones were built and equipped. 5. Employment increased. 6. The legal system was simplified. 7. A forest conservation program was started. 8. Labor laws were passed introducing a eight hour workday.

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The Panama Canal The U.S. was interested in building a canal from as early as the 1890's. During the Spanish American War it took three times longer for the troops to sail from California to Cuba. The Panama railroad which she constructed in 1851-1855, reinforced or highlighted the importance and urgent need for the transoceanic route. It was the route for prospectors to the California Gold Rush. The Canal would connect the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean 1. Provide easy access and communication between her territories in these two areas. 2. Save time on commercial shipping between the two areas 3. It would prove to be a very profitable investment 4. She would once again prove her dominance and hegemony in the Western World. She could more effectively carry out her role as international policeman and watchdog for the Hemisphere. 5. It would give her some amount of power over the other super powers.

Panama Canal layout

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Theodore Roosevelt acquired the right to build the Panama Canal in 1903. How did he accomplish this?

Theodore Roosevelt a. In 1850 the U.S. and Britain signed the Clayton Bulwer Treaty. They agreed to the joint construction and use of a canal in Panama. b. By the 1880's the French commissioned Ferdinand de Lesseps, the man responsible for the construction of the Suez Canal to build a similar one in Panama. Based on his track record of success, it was relatively easy for him to get the necessary funding for such a mammoth project. c. The venture failed however due to an epidemic of tropical diseases, technological problems and financial mismanagement. This was the break that the U.S. was waiting for. d. She approached Britain and requested that the 1850 treaty be annulled. Britain could not afford a ‘showdown' at this point. She needed the U.S. if not as an ally at least to remain neutral in European affairs. e. In 1901, Britain signed a new treaty- The Hay Paunceforte Treaty in which she surrendered her rights to the construction and operation of a canal across the Isthmus of Panama as long as the U.S. allowed ships of all other nations to use it and be charged equal tolls. f. She still had two problems: Panama still belonged to Colombia and Colombia was asking a high price. The French still had the rights to construct the canal. That problem was easily solved. Given the difficulties and obstacles faced, the French company quickly sold the rights and equipment to the U.S. for $40M. The deal was signed in the Hay Buneau-Varilla Treaty. Phillipe Buneau-Varilla being the major shareholder in the French Company.

P a g e | 11 g. The Hay-Herran Treaty was signed in 1903. The U.S. offered to pay Colombia $10M for the right to dig the canal on a ten kilometer corridor. It would be leased for 99 years at $250,000 p.a. h. On November 3, 1903 a revolutionary war broke out between Colombia and Panama. It is said that the French company incited it because they were afraid that the U.S. might change its mind and seek a route through Nicaragua. i. The U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt sends the USS Nashville "to protect U.S. life, liberty and property". They seize the Panama railroad and this prevents Columbian forces from landing within 80 kilometers (fighting distance) of Panama which then declares its independence. j. Three days later on November 6th the U.S. recognizes Panama's independence and a new treaty was signed. The size of the zone increased to 17 km. and the life of the lease was ‘in perpetuity'. The U.S. promised to protect and guarantee the independence of Panama under terms similar to the Platt Amendment. k. Construction lasted ten years. It started in 1904 and ended in 1914 l. Over 75,000 workers were recruited form all over to include Caribbean territories such as Barbados and Jamaica. m. It cost approximately $400M to construct n. American doctors and scientists worked feverishly and developed a cure for the malaria and yellow fever. They also sprayed the area eliminating the mosquitoes and installing adequate drainage systems to prevent further breeding of the insects. o. American engineer John Stephenson designed the master plan for the canal as well as the use of railroads to carry away the dirt.

Positive effects of Panama Canal 1. U.S. provides employment for locals 2. Defense- during WW2 U.S. had airfield and military bases in Panama 3. Financial aid totaling $40M in addition to annual rent which was raised from 250,000 to 436,000 in 1934 (F. Roosevelt) and 1.930M in 1955

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Negative Effects 1. It violated the sovereignty of the Panamanian people 2. It strained relations between U.S. and Panamanians. In 1931 there was an overthrow of the Panamanian puppet President. 3. Panamanian laws did not apply within the zone. 4. Violence erupted in 1959 when Panamanians attempted to hoist their national flag in canal zone and strongly resisted by U.S. troops 5. Locals were not allowed within several miles of the canal. An area of no man's land was established. 6. There was an influx of American goods. These were available from shops in the Zone. They offered stiff competition to locally produced goods.

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U.S. and Haiti (1914) The U.S. had fewer investments in Haiti than France and Germany. But by 1910 she controlled about 60% of Haiti's import trade and the National Railway Company. This was enough for her to become concerned about any possible European intervention in that country. French, German and American investors were making huge profits from investments in banking, public services and railways. World War 1 began in 1914. The Haitians owed over $32M to Germany and other European creditors. It was said that the Germans threatened to take over Haiti if the debt was not paid. Germany the aggressor wanted a base from which to attack Britain and U.S.'s possessions in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti had serious political problems as well. She had a history of unstable and corrupt government. Between 1908 and 1915, there were seven Presidents! Matters got worst when in July of 1915, a revolt broke out. The then President, Vilbrun Guillame Sam was widely viewed by the Haitian people as a cruel and unjust leader. It is rumored that he imprisoned, tortured and massacred a number of his opponents. Sam was murdered during the revolt.

Vilbrun Guillaume Sam The U.S. applied the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. This basically gives them the right to intervene in any Caribbean or Latin American country which acts in such a way as to invite European intervention in the U.S. ‘backyard'. She could not afford for Germany to capture Haiti and become a threat to her precious canal or use the Windward Passage to attack her. Therefore in July of 1915, she responded swiftly. American marines led by Admiral Caperton landed at Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital to ‘protect American life, liberty and property' and to restore law and order. A treaty was signed in November 1915. It allowed the Americans to control Haiti's finances, sanitation, law and order and public works. They remained there until 1934.

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Negative effects of U.S. intervention in Haiti 1. The U.S. was in control of Haiti. They lost their sovereignty. 2. Martial law was declared in September 1915. The freedom of movement of Haitians was restricted. 3. The revolt was brutally crushed. Hundreds of so called rebels were killed without even a trial. 4. American military officers were in charge of government operations. 5. The U.S. made changes to Haiti's constitution which allowed the U.S. to own huge acres of land. 6. Racial discrimination occurred 7. Many of the social programs were done in the towns where the Americans occupied while the rural areas remained destitute. 8. Haiti's culture was severely affected. 9. The new Haitian council was chosen by the Americans 10. The U.S. censored Haiti's press. Positive effects of U.S. intervention in Haiti 1. Law and order was restored 2. A new Haitian police force was created (gendarmerie). This force was trained by the U.S. army. 3. The U.S. paid Haiti's debts and took control of their finances especially the Customs house. 4. The health care system was improved. New hospitals, clinics and health centres were constructed. 5. The sewages were drained and other sanitation measures were put implemented. 6. A mosquito eradication program along with vaccination helped to decrease the spread of diseases. 7. New roads, parks, wharves and light houses were built. 8. A number of new jobs were created

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The U.S. and the Dominican Republic The U.S. intervened in the Dominican Republic because political instability. There were several presidents within a short period of time. In five years, between 1906 and 1911, one president was assassinated. None of his successors were able to rule for an entire term of four years. The U.S. saw this as a case of ‘chronic wrong doing' in her backyard. The country was also in deep financial crisis. It owed large sums of money to European creditors. President Woodrow Wilson appointed a puppet president Juan Jiminez but by 1915 several riots broke out in protest against his rule.

President Woodrow Wilson World War 1 was already underway. It was said that the Germans threatened to take over the Dominican Republic if the debt was not paid. Germany the aggressor wanted a base from which to attack Britain and U.S.'s possessions in the Western Hemisphere. Once more, the U.S. applied the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. She intervened to prevent European intervention in her ‘backyard'. She could not afford for Germany to capture the country and become a threat to her precious canal or attack her from the position of the Mona Passage. Positive effects of U.S. intervention in the Dominican Republic 1. Law and order was restored 2. The U.S. paid the debts and took control of their finances especially the Customs house. 3. The ...