The scourge of slavery corrupted America in every way including its foreign policy

Cuba

SLAVERY ROSE TO DOMINATE America's Cuban policy in the mid-nineteenth century, as the nation marched towards a great Civil War. Britain's consul in Havana, David Turnbill, began proselytizing in Havana for the abolition of slavery in Cuba. He even went so far as to promise the slaves that they would be protected by Britain if they rose up and threw off their Cuban masters. America's Secretary of State, John Forsyth, a slave-owner himself, didn't like it one bit. Firstly, he interpreted Turnbill's comments as a signal that Britain had plans to wrest control of the island from Spain. But, even more importantly, a slave-free island just off America's southern shore, would provide a safe haven for runaway slaves from Southern plantations. However, before Forsyth could effect a plan, a new Administration came into office with the election of James Polk who brought a new Secretary of State, James Buchanan.

President James K. Polk (click to enlarge)

Polk and Buchanan hatched a new plan. They conceived that the time had come to annex Cuba and make it a state. Why shouldn't America's Manifest Destiny extend south as well as westward. Furthermore, under the terms of the Missouri Compromise, Cuba would be a slave state thereby eliminating the problems foreseen by Forsyth. Escape to the island would be irrelevant to the slaves in the American south.

Secretary of State James Buchanan (click to enlarge)

There were, of course, more issues than slavery that made the new plan desirable. New states strengthened the economy, and the United States policy of free trade between the states would bring prosperity to Cuba. Then there were the strategic considerations. The islands fine ports and natural resources would be valuable assets to America. With revolution and its resulting chaos seemingly imminent in Cuba, Buchanan especially could barely restrain himself from sending an offer for $100 million to purchase the island from Spain. However, he had not allowed for Spanish pride or European politics.

An offer of half as much would have been adequate. Spain not only needed the money but also would have been glad to have divested itself of the cost of administering the island. Because of Spanish mismanagement of the island's economy, Cuba never generated enough treasure to offset its costs. Still, the Spanish not only refused the offer, but also responded with an indignant reply. Apparently, the Spanish government feared that their opposition would cast acceptance of the American offer as treason. Also, they feared that other European powers would interpret it as a sign of weakness.

Click to purchase on Amazon

Interestingly, shortly after this American initiative to annex Cuba failed, a new proposal arrived in Washington, in the form of a secret mission from Cuba. This dance, this courtship between the United States and Cuba would continue well into the twentieth century. Even Castro arrived in Washington shortly after wresting control from the dictator, Fulgencio Batista. Although my novel, Rebels on the Mountain, ends prior to his arrival, my protagonist, Nick Andrews, predicts the mission and its failure.