Final answer:
Following the Spanish-American War, Cuba gained independence but remained influenced by the U.S. through the Platt Amendment, leading to American intervention in Cuban affairs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States' relationship with Cuba following the Spanish-American War was complex and multifaceted. After the war, Cuba achieved independence in 1902, but it continued to remain under the influence of the U.S. due to the Platt Amendment, which was incorporated into the Cuban Constitution. This amendment allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs and led to the establishment of the Guantanamo Naval Base. Over time, American economic interests grew significantly, leading to heavy investment and influence in Cuban politics and society. This period of American dominance in Cuban affairs set the stage for future tensions and the complicated political dynamics that would emerge throughout the 20th century.
Initially, many Americans viewed the intervention as a noble act to liberate an oppressed neighboring people, but as time went on, it became clear that the U.S. also had significant strategic and economic interests at play. The presence of U.S. troops and the American right to intervene in Cuban affairs meant that Cuba was not entirely free of American involvement, contradicting the earlier idealistic rhetoric about helping Cuba achieve true independence. .