JACK'S BLOG
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CubaTHOSE WHO ACCUSE America of imperialism have a hard case to approve. America has never acquired colonies. Nations follow America or not of their own volition. Unfortunately, they are blinded by America's economic success. They mistake the fundamental nature of the American experiment that makes it successful. They confuse America's Puritanical drive to achieve as greed. They emulate greed instead of honest labor. Thus, they attract the worst elements of America, charlatans and gangsters. Those who are forced to operate in the shadows, outside the law inside America, operate openly in nations that envy America. That is what happened in Cuba. When Leonard Wood's term as territorial governor ended in Cuba after just two years, only four years of American paternalism had transpired. Wood honestly thought that the American's had done enough. By 1901, under American tutelage, Cuban rural guardsmen returned to the countryside to enforce law and order. Local law enforcement received payment from local governments. Cuban soldiers assumed command of coastal defenses. Democratic elections were held and Cubans were franchised with the vote if they were twenty-one, had no criminal record, and possessed either literacy, an honorable discharge from the Cuban military, or $250 in property. Wood was justifiably proud of the occupation and its accomplishments: fair administration, treasury surpluses, equitable enforcement of the laws, public schools, hospitals, asylums, highways, and railways. The Americans had built a new Cuba.
It was time to grant Cuba its freedom. However, the American's wanted safeguards in place to insure that Europeans didn't take advantage of the inherent weakness of a fledgling nation. There was no fear of Spain returning. It was bereft of the will as well as the resources to risk another confrontation with the United States. France and England were too distracted with problems in other parts of their far-flung empires. However, Germany was beginning a rise to power. It had a modern navy and seemed interested in establishing bases in the Caribbean to support adventures in South America. Some American statesmen argued that the Monroe Doctrine would discourage German incursions. Others argued that it was only policy. A law was needed. The first such law they advanced was the Teller Amendment, to be embedded in the thread of war against Spain. It announced America's intentions, not only to the Spanish, but also to the rest of the world. We see this same mistake echoed throughout history. Most recently, America was accused of invading Iran to seize its oil. Even now that American forces have been withdrawn and not one drop of oil was purloined, people, even in the United States, continue to make the charge. They seem incapable of imagining any motivation other than greed. Is it possible that they are misguided by their own base intentions?
1 Comment
11/6/2012 12:02:38 am
History does repeat itself, especially the bad policies, bad doctrines, and bad politicians. The cycle, unfortunately, never ends. It certainly didn't in Cub.
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