America's Foreign Policy Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Platt Amendment, enacted in 1901, was designed to govern the relationship between the United States and Cuba following the Spanish-American War. Its primary purpose was to establish parameters for U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs and to maintain a certain level of U.S. control over the island. This included stipulations that allowed the U.S. to intervene militarily to preserve order and protect American interests, thus ensuring U.S. military access to Cuba.

One of the key provisions of the Platt Amendment permitted the United States to establish naval bases on Cuban territory, the most famous being Guantanamo Bay. This establishment was not just about military access; it reflected the broader U.S. strategic interest in maintaining influence over the Caribbean and Latin American region. Through these military provisions, the United States sought to defend its economic and political interests in Cuba and the wider region, thereby reinforcing its imperial presence.

This context is critical in understanding why the other options do not accurately describe the Platt Amendment. While it did impose some restrictions on Cuban policymaking, leading to a limitation on full independence (which could suggest economic restrictions), the overarching theme of military access and intervention predominated. The idea of independence for Cuba or a strategy to promote democracy does not align