Cuba's Independence…For a Price
- If you were to read this one-sentence introduction out loud, it would take you fifty-six seconds. Fifty-six. (No joke, we tested it.) Almost one minute for a single sentence, and since it's written oh-so-formally, as only Congress can do, you'll probably say "Wait, what?" after you're done. So let's break it down.
- Basics first: Cuba is becoming an independent nation, and Spain (which used to own Cuba) has to back off and remove all military forces. The U.S. is going to make sure that Spain heads home, by using "land and naval forces" if necessary. (America seems to be taking quite an interest in tiny little Cuba's independence, huh?)
- Once things are going smoothly in Cuba, then the U.S. will back off and leave the "government and control of the island of Cuba to its people."
- What does going smoothly mean, though? Specifically, Cuba has to create their own government that is run by a constitution.
- Now here's the kicker: Cuba's constitution must, we repeat must, include several rules that have to do with the relationship between Cuba and the U.S.
- So basically, this introduction is saying that Cuba is free and independent, with America's help, but in return is required to follow a few demands set by the U.S.
- The introduction ends with "as follows," meaning that the rest of the Platt Amendment is the specific rules that Cuba must add to their constitution. There are seven rules, plus a final reminder that Cuba must accept all of this.
- Boom, introduction done. Let's get on to those rules, shall we?