History Based Assessment

Research Question: Examine the factors responsible for United

States’ involvement in Cuba during 1898.
Name of Candidate: Ajani Davis
Name of School: Saint Mary`s Academy
Candidate Number:
School Code:
Name of Teacher: Cordelle Lazar
Territory: Commonwealth of Dominica
Year of Examination 2021
 Tittle Page
Year of Examinations: 2021
Subject: History SBA
Centre Number:
Candidate Number:
Candidate Name: Ajani Davis
Research Question: Examine the factors responsible for United States involvement in Cuba
during 1898.
Name of Teacher: Cordelle Lazar
SBA score:
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 Introduction
 Rationale
 Analysis and Interpretation of Data
 Conclusion
 Bibliography
 Appendix
 Introduction

This assessment aims to examine and discuss the varying factors accounting for the United
States` involvement in the Cuba during 1898.
Within this time period, the United States` relations with Cuba peaked due to the sinking of the
battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15,1898.
The United States of America had already established trading networks and commercial affairs
within the Cuban border, however, Cuba`s struggle for independence from Spain strained it`s
development.
Spain`s rejection of the United States` peace treaty then allowed for the declaration of war on the
Country. Spain would later surrender and seek peace from the United States. Such resulted in
its`s renounced authority of the Spanish Colonies of Cuba and Puerto Rico which contained
some of the largest ports in the Caribbean. These marketable islands became great US
investments in later years.
Cuba was always targeted for its large surface area and general fertility. It would have been the
ideal place to initiate commerce and develop a successful market. The United States, being one
of the most powerful nations at the time dominated that field and always searched for allies to
strengthen their defenses. With money came to power and the US became interested in what
Cuba could offer; primarily financially. This particular interest would be advantageous to some,
yet disastrous to others. Even now, the impact of the United States` engagement in Cuba can be
detected.
 Rationale

I was thoroughly intrigued in the specified topic regarding Cuba`s history as it relates to that of
the Caribbean studies and links to modern development, commerce and supremacy of the
different nations. Learning about the United States` involvement in Cuba can explain the
lingering effects on the island and the impact on the other islands by extension.
My aim is to produce a report which shall be beneficial to the readers, especially schools or
students investigating this field of study.
Any individual exploring this topic will expand their knowledge on historical events within that
period, thus evolving their comprehension skills. Being able to fully express the collected data in
a summarized form would also heighten their writing and analytical skills. The most important
benefit of this study would be allowing the researcher to share such information with others.
The part of the research which intrigued me the most is the negotiations between Spain and
America after the destruction of U.S Maine. Spain attempted to offer the US to show a sign of
peace, but instead they declared war. In this investigation I will look more in depth of that.
The research was beneficial to me because not only did it give me the opportunity to expand my
knowledge on the history of Cuba, but it also brought my attention to the struggles and
challenges that Cuba faced while attempting to get their independence.
 Analysis and Interpretation

The destruction of the US Maine and how did it push the United states to go into war with
Spain.

On February,1889, the U.S.S Maine which was sent to Cuba to protect the lives of US citizens
and property in Cuba was mysteriously sent on fire, later causing an explosion taking 260 lives.
The vessel was in the port on a courtesy call, to provide closer protection for the US citizens and
its millions in investments on the island. They were sent there rather reluctantly by McKinley
upon the advice of the American consul of Havana. A naval investigating commission by the
president announced on March 25th that the Maine had gone down in the result of an external
explosion. However, it was made to seem that the sinking of the of the Maine was an act of
aggression against the United States by Spain. Many theories emerged as to the origin of the
explosion. Some claimed it was by accident whilst exiled Cuban Nationalists and United States
investors in Cuba held the Spanish colonial government in Cuba as responsible. On April 19th
1898, Congress passed a joint resolution proclaiming Cuba “Free and independent”. The signing
of this declaration resulted in the United States launching an attack on the other regions of
Spanish colonial possession within the region.

The demand for independence all started since the end of the Ten Years War in 1878. Cuban
nationalist were energized, provided with cash and arms by ousts in the United States, and there
was mounting discontent. At that point in March 1897, William McKinley who had lobbied for
Cuban Independence, became president (1897-1901). The sparkle which transformed this
discontent into war in 1895 was a consequence of the stranglehold that the USA had on the
Cuban economy through the sugar market. The effect on the Cuban economy had been
catastrophic, producing widespread unemployment and poverty.
The treaty of Paris was signed on December 10th 1898. Spain formally recognized the
independence of Cuba. The anti-imperialists were furious, feeling that it was the end of all that
the United States stood for-liberty, self -determination, democracy and justice.
 Conclusion

Although American foreign policy has shifted from being based on Isolationism to being based
on global involvement and intervention, the primary goal has been to protect the nation’s
interest. The declaring of war on Spain in 1898 not only lead to the protection of its Economic
interest but also the Independence of Cuba and subsequently its development .
Bibliography
Taylor-Kanarick, Yvette. The Caribbean History Volume2: An historical survey of the
Caribbean from the emancipation to the present. Trinidad: Caribbean Educational
Publishers,2010.

Taylor-Kanarick, Yvette. Caribbean history: core course for Csec. Trinidad: Caribbean
Educational Publishers,2009
Appendix