The Platt Amendment emerged in a context marked by U.S. imperial ambitions following the Spanish-American War which resulted in the U.S. gaining control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. As American forces prepared to withdraw from Cuba, there was apprehension about the island's ability to govern itself and maintain stability. The U.S. aimed to prevent European powers from meddling in Cuban affairs, fearing that instability could open opportunities for foreign intervention. Drafted by Senator Orville Platt, the amendment outlined several conditions for Cuba's independence including the permission for the United States to intervene in Cuban affairs and the establishment of a military base at Guantanamo Bay. The Platt Amendment was met with resistance by Cuban nationalists, who viewed it as an infringement on their sovereignty. Nevertheless, it was incorporated into Cuba's 1901 constitution, thereby legitimizing U.S. interference. This amendment underscored the United States’ shift towards a more interventionist foreign policy in Latin America, which would later be reinforced by the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. The U.S. retained the right to intervene in Cuba until the amendment's repeal in 1934, establishing a pattern of U.S. involvement in Latin American politics that echoed throughout the 20th century. The Platt Amendment left deep scars in U.S.-Cuban relations, affecting political interactions and mutual perceptions for decades.