Final answer:
After the Spanish evacuated Cuba, the island gained independence but was heavily influenced by the USA, which imposed the Platt Amendment, allowing intervention in Cuban affairs and establishing economic dominance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Once the Spanish were out of Cuba, the island underwent significant changes. The Spanish-American War concluded with the Treaty of Paris, which recognized Cuban independence and ceded Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States. Although Cuba became independent in 1902, it remained under U.S. influence through the Platt Amendment, which allowed for U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs. This relationship led to American economic dominance and the potential intervention to change governments or suppress rebellions on the island. Over time, the U.S. established a naval base at Guantanamo and maintained a presence, leading to a complex and often tense relationship between the two countries.