United States Withdraws from Cuba
The United States' withdrawal from Cuba refers to a significant historical event that culminated on January 28, 1909, marking the end of American administration in Cuba for the second time. This withdrawal followed a complex series of interventions that began after the Spanish-American War of 1898, when the U.S. supported Cuban efforts to gain independence from Spanish colonial rule. The war concluded with the Treaty of Paris, which resulted in Spain relinquishing control over Cuba and the establishment of a provisional government under U.S. oversight.
During the initial period of American governance, the U.S. aimed to prepare Cuba for self-rule while maintaining a degree of influence, exemplified by the Platt Amendment. This amendment allowed for U.S. naval bases in Cuba and granted the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuban affairs. After a series of elections that led to political unrest and calls for reform, the situation escalated to a point where the U.S. re-invoked its authority to restore order. Ultimately, with the inauguration of José Miguel Gómez as president, the U.S. officially terminated its administration, allowing Cuba to once again assert its independence. This period reflects the complexities of U.S.-Cuban relations and the challenges faced by Cuba in navigating its sovereignty amid external influences.
United States Withdraws from Cuba
The United States Withdraws from Cuba
The termination, on January 28, 1909, of the provisional government that had marked the United States' second intervention in Cuban affairs also marked the establishment for the second time of an independent Cuban republic. That republic had come into being after the Spanish-American War of 1898, in which the United States intervened on behalf of Cuban insurgents who opposed Spanish rule of their island. The Treaty of Paris (1898), which concluded the hostilities, saw the virtual dissolution of the Spanish empire. Puerto Rico and Guam were ceded to the United States, as were the Philippine Islands, in return for $20 million. Spain also relinquished all authority over Cuba, which became an independent republic under American protection.
For three and a half years afterwards, Cuban affairs were administered by the U.S. War Department, briefly through General John R. Brooke and then through General Leonard Wood. The goal was to prepare the way for an independent but subservient Cuba. The American authorities held an election of Cuban delegates for a convention which, in February 1901, completed work on a constitution for a Cuban republic. As a condition for the end of military occupation, the convention reluctantly agreed to attach to Cuba's constitution what was known as the Platt Amendment. Designed to preserve Cuba's dependence on the United States, the Platt Amendment provided for American naval bases in Cuba and permitted U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs. After the amendment was accepted, Cubans were allowed to elect a president and a Congress, which they did on December 31, 1901. With the inauguration of Tomas Estrada Palma, a leading anti-Spanish revolutionary, as the Cuban republic's first president, the United States formally withdrew from Cuba on May 20, 1902.
After new elections, which followed in late 1905 and early 1906, Tomas Estrada Palma became president for the second time, with the support of Cuban conservatives. Although he attempted to lead Cuba to economic prosperity, his administration, plagued by corruption and veterans' pension requests, failed to bring about demanded reforms. Claiming fraud in the elections, supporters of the Cuban Liberal Party under José Miguel Gómez revolted against the Palma administration in August 1906.
President Palma, invoking the Platt Amendment, declared that he was unable to maintain order and asked the United States to intervene. At first reluctant to interfere, the United States sent mediators, headed by Secretary of War (later President) William Howard Taft, who attempted to effect a compromise. When this attempt failed, President Palma and his cabinet resigned, leaving the island without a government.
To restore order the United States proclaimed a provisional government on September 29, 1906, under Taft. He was succeeded as provisional governor by Charles E. Magoon the next month. After order had been restored and new laws drafted by a U.S.–headed advisory committee, a new election was held in November 1908. With the inauguration of José Miguel Gómez, leader of the 1906 rebellion, as president on January 28, 1909, American administration of the island officially ceased for the second time.