In the aftermath of the Spanish-American War in 1898, Cuba gained its independence from Spain but was left with a power vacuum. The United States played a significant role in shaping Cuba's post-war governance, ultimately leading to the attachment of several provisions to the Cuban constitution.
One of the key provisions attached by the United States was the Platt Amendment in 1901. This amendment allowed the US to intervene in Cuban affairs to protect its interests, maintain stability, and oversee the island's foreign relations. It also granted the US the right to establish naval bases in Cuba, including the infamous Guantanamo Bay.
Another important attachment was the Reciprocity Treaty of 1903, which gave the US preferential trade rights in Cuba. This treaty further solidified the economic relationship between the two countries and gave the US greater influence over Cuba's economy.
The United States also influenced the inclusion of provisions in the Cuban constitution that limited Cuba's ability to enter into treaties with foreign powers without US approval. This effectively made Cuba a protectorate of the US, with the American government exerting significant control over Cuban foreign policy.
Additionally, the US pushed for the inclusion of provisions that protected American interests in Cuba, such as ensuring the payment of Cuban debts to American creditors and guaranteeing the rights of American businesses operating in Cuba.
Despite the apparent benefits of these attachments for the United States, they were met with resistance from Cuban nationalists who viewed them as infringements on their sovereignty. Many Cubans saw these provisions as a continuation of colonialism and fought for their removal from the constitution.
Over time, as Cuba's relationship with the US soured, there were efforts to remove or amend these attachments. The Platt Amendment was eventually repealed in 1934 as part of the Good Neighbor Policy, signaling a shift in US-Cuban relations.
Despite the removal of the Platt Amendment, the legacy of US influence on the Cuban constitution continues to shape the country's politics and foreign relations to this day. The attachments made by the United States have left a lasting impact on Cuba's governance structure and its relationship with the US.
In conclusion, the United States attached several provisions to the Cuban constitution, including the Platt Amendment and the Reciprocity Treaty, which granted the US significant influence over Cuba's affairs. While these attachments were met with resistance from Cuban nationalists, they have had a lasting impact on Cuba's governance and foreign relations.
