The Teller Amendment promised that the United States would not annex Cuba after the Spanish–American War.

The Teller Amendment promised that the United States would not annex Cuba after the Spanish–American War.

• A. Promised U.S. Would Not Annex Cuba After the War
• B. Promised U.S. Would Annex Cuba After the War
• C. Authorized U.S. to Build a Canal in Cuba
• D. Released Cuba From Any Treaty Obligations

Answer: (A)

In the aftermath of the Spanish–American War, the United States framed its involvement as supporting Cuban independence. The Teller Amendment stated that the U.S. would not annex Cuba after the war; Cuba would be left to govern itself. That pledge is why the statement describing non-annexation fits best. The other ideas aren’t part of this pledge: annexation, building a canal in Cuba, or freeing Cuba from treaty obligations aren’t what the Teller Amendment asserted. It’s also useful to know that, later, the Platt Amendment gave the U.S. ongoing influence over Cuban affairs, even though the Teller Amendment emphasized non-annexation.

In the aftermath of the Spanish–American War, the United States framed its involvement as supporting Cuban independence. The Teller Amendment stated that the U.S. would not annex Cuba after the war; Cuba would be left to govern itself. That pledge is why the statement describing non-annexation fits best. The other ideas aren’t part of this pledge: annexation, building a canal in Cuba, or freeing Cuba from treaty obligations aren’t what the Teller Amendment asserted. It’s also useful to know that, later, the Platt Amendment gave the U.S. ongoing influence over Cuban affairs, even though the Teller Amendment emphasized non-annexation.