The Platt Amendment was created in 1901 as a part of the United States’ Army Appropriations Bill. It followed the end of the Spanish-American War and defined the relations between Cuba and the US. The reason for this legal document was that the US had an interest in Cuba maintaining public order that was beneficial to the US. The amendment created an unequal environment for the two countries, allowing the US to intervene in Cuba’s military actions and dominate the local politics as a result. The seven points of the document focused on limiting Cuba’s ability to build relationships with other countries. Furthermore, they also allowed the US to exercise power in Cuba with the intent of using the country’s land for resources and development.
As a result, the Platt Amendment led to military interventions by the US into Cuba with the intent of keeping order. It was later repealed but continues to affect Cuba to this day. The unequal relationship between the two states made Cuba volatile to outside struggles and internal disorder. The document played a significant role in the US controlling politics in Cuba and creating structures that favored opposition to socialist movements. The Platt Amendment could be viewed as an extension of the US, establishing control in the region and using lands for personal growth, military power, and economic development.