<P> Furthermore, the Platt Amendment allowed the U.S. to continue its occupation of Cuba without annexing, despite promises made during the war and negotiations over Cuban freedom . In order to maintain control in Cuba, the U.S. government espoused the idea that the Cuban people were unprepared for self - governance . As Senator Stephen Elkins noted: </P> <Dl> <Dd> "When Cuba shall become a part of the American Union and the isthmian canal shall be completed, which is now assured, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Hawaii and the Philippines will be outposts of the great Republic, standing guard over American interests in the track of the world's commerce in its triumphant march around the globe . Our people will soon see and feel that these island possessions belonging to the United States are natural and logical, and in the great part we are to play in the affairs of the world we would not only give them up but wonder how the working of our natural destiny we could get on without them . The splendid chain of island possessions, reaching half - way around the world, would not be complete without Cuba, the gem of the Antilles ." </Dd> </Dl> <Dd> "When Cuba shall become a part of the American Union and the isthmian canal shall be completed, which is now assured, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Hawaii and the Philippines will be outposts of the great Republic, standing guard over American interests in the track of the world's commerce in its triumphant march around the globe . Our people will soon see and feel that these island possessions belonging to the United States are natural and logical, and in the great part we are to play in the affairs of the world we would not only give them up but wonder how the working of our natural destiny we could get on without them . The splendid chain of island possessions, reaching half - way around the world, would not be complete without Cuba, the gem of the Antilles ." </Dd> <P> Overall, these occupations greatly contributed to the growing economic role gained by the U.S. during this era . </P>

Treaty of paris between the united states and spain on december 10 1898