Final answer:
The United States had strategic, economic, doctrinal, and humanitarian interests in Cuba, influenced by factors such as the Monroe Doctrine, the proximity to the U.S., concerns over the spread of communism, and the human rights abuses under Spanish rule and later under Batista.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States had a multifaceted interest in Cuba due to strategic location, economic opportunities, promotion of the Monroe Doctrine, and humanitarian concerns amidst Spanish repression. From a strategic standpoint, Cuba's proximity to the U.S. mainland made it vital for American national security and economic interests. American policymakers, following Thomas Jefferson's lead, saw the addition of Cuba as instrumental in maximizing the nation's power and influence.
The Monroe Doctrine underscored the U.S. desire to prevent European powers, particularly Spain, from maintaining or extending their colonial hold in the Western Hemisphere. This doctrine effectively declared the region to be within the United States' sphere of influence, making Cuba's fate intrinsically linked to U.S. regional authority.
The culmination of tensions included the explosion of the USS Maine in Havana harbor and egregious human rights violations by Spanish commanders against Cuban rebels. These events rallied American support for Cuban independence and eventually led to the U.S. intervening in the Cuban War of Independence, further involving the U.S. in Cuban affairs, as reflected through instruments like the Platt Amendment and later the U.S. acquisition of Guantanamo Naval Base.
The fear of communism during the Cold War period also affected U.S. policy towards Cuba, leading to clandestine support for Cuban exiles in attempts to overthrow Fidel Castro's government.