Platt Amendment was an amendment to a 1901 act funding the U.S. Army that gave the United States broad powers to become involved in Cuban affairs. The Congress of the United States passed the amendment in 1901. Later that year, under pressure from the United States, Cuba adopted the amendment’s principles as part of its Constitution. The amendment was named for U.S. Senator Orville H. Platt, a Republican from Connecticut. Over the years, the amendment contributed to long-standing tensions between the United States and Cuba.
Background.
During the 1890’s, the United States became increasingly concerned over political unrest in Cuba. In 1895, the Cubans launched a war for independence from Spain. Spain dealt harshly with the Cuban rebels. In 1898, U.S. President William McKinley argued that Spain should no longer determine Cuba’s future. He tried to avoid war with Spain by offering to purchase Cuba through diplomatic channels. After Spain rejected U.S. offers, the United States declared war in April 1898. By the end of 1898, U.S. forces had defeated Spain. Spain gave up its claim to Cuba and handed over Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States.
The amendment and Cuba’s Constitution.
The Platt Amendment began as an amendment to a 1901 Army appropriations bill (bill providing for the spending of government money). Senator Platt proposed the amendment, but much of it was written by Elihu Root. Root served as U.S. secretary of war from 1899 to 1904.
The amendment permitted the United States to become militarily involved in Cuban affairs. It also limited the Cuban government’s power to make treaties with other governments. In addition, the amendment required Cuba to allow the United States to buy or lease land for naval bases on the island.
In 1901, Cuba adopted a constitution. The United States insisted that the Constitution include the provisions of the Platt Amendment. The amendment’s provisions also became part of a 1903 treaty with Cuba. As a result of one of the amendment’s provisions, the United States received a permanent lease on Guantánamo Bay, in southern Cuba. The United States built a large naval base there.
The Platt Amendment effectively bypassed the goals of the Teller Amendment of 1898. The Teller Amendment was an amendment to a joint resolution of Congress declaring Cuba independent. The 1898 amendment had stated that the United States should not try to establish permanent control over Cuba and that U.S. forces should leave Cuba after Spain was defeated.
Later years.
United States forces left Cuba in 1902. In 1906, violent protests broke out in Cuba over the disputed outcome of a presidential election. United States troops then returned to Cuba under the terms of the Platt Amendment. The United States also sent its military to Cuba during uprisings in 1912 and 1917. From 1902 to 1934, the United States gained increasing control over Cuba’s economic affairs.
Many Cubans resented the Platt Amendment. In 1933, the leaders of a revolutionary movement overthrew the government and refused to follow the principles of the amendment. In 1934, the United States and Cuba signed a treaty that canceled the Platt Amendment but specifically kept the existing lease on Guantánamo Bay in place.
See also Cuba (The Platt Amendment) ; Root, Elihu ; Spanish-American War .
