Final answer:
Cuba's involvement in the Spanish-American War led to U.S. intervention due to humanitarian concerns and economic interests, resulting in a victory at sea and the eventual independence of Cuba, albeit with significant U.S. influence through the Platt Amendment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cuba's Role in the Spanish-American War
During the Spanish-American War, Cuba was significant in the struggle against Spanish control. The Cuban War of Independence served as a catalyst for U.S. intervention, with humanitarian concerns and economic interests leading the U.S. to engage in what became known as the Spanish-American War. The war was chiefly fought at sea, where the U.S. Navy's success was instrumental in achieving a U.S. victory. The conflict reached its end with the Spanish surrender in 1898, leading to Cuban independence being agreed upon, though the reality was complicated by U.S. influences, including the Platt Amendment which allowed the U.S. to intercede in Cuban affairs.
Cuba Libre, the rallying cry for freedom, echoed during the war and post-war period, symbolizing the complex dynamics between U.S. intervention, the desire for Cuban sovereignty, and the reality of continued American influence in the region. The period following the war saw U.S. intervention in Cuba, including the imposition of the Platt Amendment into the Cuban constitution and periodic military interventions by the U.S. Marines to maintain control and protect U.S. business interests, particularly against increasing A f r o-Cuban participation in politics.
The U.S. Navy's blockade and military presence communicated a strong message to Spain, and the humanitarian outcry within the U.S. pushed the government to take action. Congress passed a joint resolution recognizing Cuban independence and authorized military action, leading to war and ultimately resulting in U.S. acquisition of the Guantanamo Naval Base. Cuban resistance and Spain's inability to maintain control over Cuba, along with the outdated naval capacity of the Spanish fleet against a modernizing American naval force, contributed to Spain's decision to surrender honorably.