why was the U.S. interested in controlling Cuba?

Question

why was the U.S. interested in controlling Cuba?

Answer 1

they did not want to control it. its just because Russia had nuclear weapons there
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Answer 2

Because it is only 90 miles away ?

The relations go back a couple of hundred years. By 1877, the United States accounted for 82 percent of Cuba's total exports, and as a monopsonist, was able to control price and hence production levels closely.

Unlike Puerto Rico, the U.S. preferred that Cuba appear independent, but included in the 1902 constitution, the Platt amendment which stipulated that the United States could exercise the right to intervene in Cuban political, economic and military affairs if necessary.

In 1906, United States Governor Charles Magoon assumed temporary control of the country until 1909.

In 1912 U.S. forces returned again to Cuba to quell protests by Afro-Cubans against perceived discrimination. By 1926 U.S companies owned 60% of the Cuban sugar industry and imported 95% of the total Cuban crop.

The rise of General Fulgencio Batista in the 1930s to de facto leader and President of Cuba for two terms (1940-44 and 1952-59) led to an era of close co-operation between the governments of Cuba and the United States. Batista's second spell as President was initiated by a military coup planned in Florida, and U.S. President Harry Truman quickly recognized Batista's return to rule providing military and economic aid. The Batista era witnessed the almost complete domination of Cuba's economy by the United States as the number of American corporations continued to swell, though corruption was rife and Havana also became a popular sanctuary for American organized crime figures, notably hosting the infamous Havana Conference in 1946.

Answer 3

Why would you say the US wants to control Cuba ? What has the US ever done to Cuba in the last 40 years ?

Answer 4

The US did not want to control Cuba, however, It was vital to American interests to ensure that the Russians did not control Cuba as the Russians had plans to base nuclear missiles there.

Ian M

Answer 5

They don't like the communist government of Fidel Castro and would like to regain control of Cuba which they lost when Batista the U. S. backed dictator was ousted in the 1950's

Answer 6

The U.S. never cared to control Cuba. The U.S. was only interested in its political affiliations such as communism. The evidence is the deplorable condition of the Cuban economy and the standard of living of its poor people despite of what Michael Moore may say. By the way, if he likes Cuba so much I suggest that he move there.
Mr. M on "Cuba."

Answer 7

There's a number of reasons. Cuba stopped cold (symbolically) any more US expansion into the Caribbean region which started with the annexation of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Navassa Island. The USA has been in expansion mode since their independence, America reached the west coast (Manifest Destiny) but notice? it kept going.... They nabbed Hawaii to the west and Guam and American Samoa half an ocean away--- all the way near Australia. They nabbed Alaska from Russia in the north after leasing it from that government, and then taking it over when ties between the two turned sour.

The USA also tried to take over Canada in 1812 and suffered brutal defeat.... and last but not least the U.S. started looking at more tactical southeastern expansion into the Caribbean following WWII.

The Monroe Doctrine also forbid European powers from acquiring anymore land in the Western Hemisphere. Which the U.S. then regarded as it's own turf. During WWII, the US inked a deal with Britain (The Destroyers for Bases Agreement) which allowed the U.S. to have bases in most British-Caribbean countries. The terms of the land in the Caribbean was a 99 year lease... However what Britain didn't count on, is while the U.S. was in those islands- the U.S. used their chance to implant dissent in the British colonies of the Caribbean... Which led to the uprisings for outright independence via influential political parties in those countries from Britain. Cuba became an un-forseen interference, as it began to implement its own anti-US foreign policy in those same surrounding islands. Through giving away money for things like the airport in Grenada. Growing other socialist groups through-out the region poised to dispose of the current leadership and so on.

The US slowly had moved to integrate the Caribbean into the US economy by sending in first companies like ITT and CONTEL (The forerunner of GTE/Verizon.) they lead the way for example in integrating the Caribbean into the North American area code dialing system to this day. If you notice countries as far away as Trinidad and Tobago today are in the NANP with the US and Canada, and Mexico right next door is not.. The US had plans for the Caribbean region which were dashed by Cuba.

Haiti has been a failed U.S. experiment, through constant meddling in their internal affairs the result is they broke down the system all together.... Puerto Rico was a test bed for new medicines by U.S. companies (like the birth control pill.) Barbados was being used for the US sponsored High Altitude space research programme. (namely Project HARP)....
Guyana was to become another launch pad for NASA citing the benefits that could accrue from Guyana being almost on the equator-- and the added "boost" that rockets would get via the earth's faster rotation there. etc. etc. But the overall reason is. The US has spent lots of money and time economically weaning the Caribbean off of Europe and instead onto itself and with Cuba around as it is, it is not likely the U.S. can integrate it. No matter the islands signed the "shipriders agreement" or the various "tax collaborations" between the Caribbean countries and the U.S. IRS.

Cuba effectively put up a resistance halt to all that esp. in taking over US infrastructure that was invested in/paid for by US companies in Cuba. There was a fear-- that other islands might nationalise more US investments also so Cuba wasplaced under embargo to restitute US instrests. By the time Regan came around he changed US foreign policy. He started he did not want "2 Million more headaches" (in taking over the Caribbean) and that was the end of that.

Canada and a few countries in the Caribbean have mooted a few times forming their own political union, but that is another matter...

Answer 8

Because the imperialists needed Cuba so their rich could have a playground to do whatever they wanted. That's why they supported the fascist Batista.