3d.+US+involvement+in+various+Caribbean+countries

__**US INVOLVEMENT IN THE CARIBBEAN**__

__**CUBA**__

American investors began to invest heavily in Cuba around 1870 and generally became very involved in the country's economy. The war against Spain that was happening at this time meant loss for many American investors because Cuba was a Spanish colony.

From 1901 to 1934 the Cuban constitution allowed for the US to legally intervene in Cuban domestic affairs. Between 1934 and 1958, the US played no role in Cuban politics.

However, economic investments continued. Fidel Castro took power in 1959. The communist policies of the Castro government were seen as horrible by the US. In 1961 it placed a wholesale trade embargo on all kinds of shipments to Cuba. It remains in place today. **N.B An embargo is an official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country).**


 * __PUERTO RICO__**

The end of Spanish rule in the Caribbean came with the giving of Puerto Rico to the United States. ( Cuba also became an American protectorate but later became independent).

__**PANAMA**__

The building of the Panama Canal fostered America's keen interest in the country. The US government at the time which was run by Theodore Roosevelt enabled the US to get the land that was to be made into the canal. This was important to international onlookers as it displayed the 'big stick' policy of the US.

__**HAITI**__

Periodic instability in the country had contributed to economic downfall in Haiti. Between THE 1900s and World War I, the Americans intervened in the country using military force and took over custom and revenue collections on the island.

__**DOMINICAN REPUBLIC**__

America's imperialist policy in the Caribbean and surrounding region continued to be demonstrated in this country. Military intervention after uprisings in this country led to American control.