CHANCERIESTHE DIPLOMATIC ATLAS

The United States and Cuba Establish Diplomatic Relations

1902-05-27

Cuban revolutionaries had fought Spain for independence before the United States entered the war in 1898. American intervention helped defeat Spanish rule, but the peace settlement was followed by an American military occupation. Congress had disclaimed an intention to annex Cuba. [1] [2]

The Republic of Cuba was a week old when American minister Herbert G. Squiers presented his credentials in Havana on 27 May 1902. The United States had recognized the republic on 20 May, ended its military occupation, and transferred authority to the new government. [3]

Before leaving, Washington had required Cuba to accept the Platt Amendment. Its provisions limited the treaties Cuba could make and the debts it could incur, while reserving an American right to intervene to preserve Cuban independence and maintain a government the United States considered adequate. Cuba would also have to provide sites for American naval or coaling stations. [2]

The two countries put those conditions into a treaty in 1903. The intervention provisions lasted until a new treaty removed them in 1934. The American naval base at Guantánamo remained. [2]

Related Diplomats

  1. Gonzalo de Quesada [4] [5]
  2. Manuel Márquez Sterling [6] [7]

Sources

  1. The Spanish-American War, 1898

    Cuban rebellion from 1895, American intervention, Congressional disclaimer of annexation and Paris settlement

  2. Platt Amendment and the 1903 treaty — National Archives

    Treaty Articles I, II, III and VII; introduction distinguishes 1901 statute, 1903 treaty and 1934 repeal

  3. Recognition and diplomatic relations with Cuba — Office of the Historian

    Recognition, 20 May; credentials, 27 May 1902

  4. Diplomatic Representation for the Republic of Cuba

    Entries for 1902,1909,1910,1911,1913

  5. Treaty between the United States and Cuba, signed 2 March 1904

    TreatySeries709,ArticlesI–IV,signatures and ratification note

  6. Treaty of Relations between the United States and Cuba

    Document 170, articles I and III and signatures

  7. Manuel Márquez Sterling

    Entry and active bibliography under Márquez Sterling

Related Reading

Cite This Article

The United States and Cuba Establish Diplomatic Relations. Chanceries Diplopedia. Record 8349261847974891fe30. https://chanceries.org/research/history/cuba-founding-6676df322e/

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