The Platt Amendment in the 1898 Cuban constitution

The Platt Amendment in the 1898 Cuban constitution

• A. made it Cuba's responsibility to establish a democracy.
• B. gave the United States the power to oversee Cuban debt.
• C. established a two-party system in Cuba.
• D. gave Cuba total independence.

Answer: (B)

After the Spanish-American War, the United States moved to protect its interests in Cuba. The Platt Amendment was added to Cuba’s constitution to limit Cuban independence in ways that kept U.S. influence strong. It explicitly allowed the United States to intervene in Cuban affairs if necessary and gave the U.S. power to oversee Cuban debt to prevent financial actions that might threaten American interests. This direct authority over Cuba’s finances is why the option describing the U.S. overseeing Cuban debt is the best answer. The amendment did not aim to create a democracy, it did not establish a two-party system, and it did not grant Cuba total independence; instead, it constrained Cuban sovereignty and ensured U.S. leverage.

After the Spanish-American War, the United States moved to protect its interests in Cuba. The Platt Amendment was added to Cuba’s constitution to limit Cuban independence in ways that kept U.S. influence strong. It explicitly allowed the United States to intervene in Cuban affairs if necessary and gave the U.S. power to oversee Cuban debt to prevent financial actions that might threaten American interests. This direct authority over Cuba’s finances is why the option describing the U.S. overseeing Cuban debt is the best answer. The amendment did not aim to create a democracy, it did not establish a two-party system, and it did not grant Cuba total independence; instead, it constrained Cuban sovereignty and ensured U.S. leverage.