1. Spanish American War (1898)
War lasted 10 weeks
Fought in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines
War ends with the Treaty of Paris that gave the United States the territories of Cuba, Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam for $20 million.

2. Cuba after the Spanish-American War
U.S. organizes a temporary military government for Cuba.
The leader of the government is General Leonard Wood.

3. General Wood Improves Life in Cuba
General Wood's main goal was to improve Cuban life. Specifically, he improved:
Education
Agriculture
Government
Healthcare

4. U.S. Uses Cuba for Trade
General Wood also helped the U.S. to use Cuba for trade.
He deepened the harbors in Havana, Cuba to prepare for an increase in U.S. trade ships

5. U.S. Uses Cuba as a Military Base
In addition to using Cuba for trade, the United States also opened Guantanamo Bay (which contains a prison and remains open to this day)

6. U.S. Forces Cuba to Accept Platt Amendment in their Constitution
U.S. did honor the Teller Amendment and withdraw from Cuba in 1902.
However, the U.S. forced Cuba to accept the Platt Amendment into their Constitution.
Read the Platt Amendment to find out what happened to Cuba!