Final answer:
The Teller Amendment stated that the U.S. would leave the government and control of Cuba to its people once they gained independence from Spain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Teller Amendment, passed by Congress before the U.S. declared war on Spain, had the significance of stating that once Cuba won its independence from Spain, the U.S. would leave the government and control of the island to its people. The amendment aimed to reassure those who feared American intentions were imperialistic. It declared that the U.S. had no interest in Cuba beyond assisting the Cuban people in securing independence from Spain.