After the U.S. victory in the Spanish-American War of 1898, Cuba found itself under U.S. military occupation. The war had ended with the Treaty of Paris, which led to Spain relinquishing sovereignty over Cuba. However, Cuba did not immediately gain full independence. The United States, under the guise of stabilizing the region and protecting its interests, established a military government in Cuba.

The Platt Amendment, named after U.S. Senator Orville H. Platt, was introduced as part of the 1901 Army Appropriations Bill. It set specific conditions for the withdrawal of United States troops remaining in Cuba since the Spanish-American War. This amendment was significant for several reasons:

1. Prohibition of Treaties that Limited Independence: The amendment stipulated that the Cuban government could not enter into any treaty or agreement with foreign powers that would compromise or limit its sovereignty. This was intended to prevent foreign powers, particularly European nations, from exerting influence or control over Cuba.

2. Intervention Rights: A crucial component of the Platt Amendment was the right granted to the United States to intervene in Cuban affairs if the independence of Cuba was threatened. This provision effectively made Cuba a protectorate of the United States, allowing for American intervention in the island's internal affairs.

3. Naval Bases: The amendment also required Cuba to lease or sell land to the United States for naval stations and coaling stations. The most notable example of this is the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, which remains a U.S. military installation to this day.

4. Debt Limitations: Cuba was not to incur any public debt beyond its means to repay. This condition was aimed at preventing Cuba from falling into financial dependence on foreign powers, which could then exploit the island's economic weaknesses.

5. Cuban Constitutional Adoption: The Platt Amendment had to be incorporated into the Cuban Constitution as a condition for the end of the U.S. military occupation. This requirement was met in 1901 when the amendment was included in the Cuban constitution, despite opposition from many Cubans who saw it as an infringement on their sovereignty.

The Platt Amendment played a crucial role in shaping Cuban-U.S. relations in the early 20th century. It symbolized U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere and marked Cuba's semi-colonial status under American influence. The amendment was eventually abrogated in 1934, as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Good Neighbor Policy," which sought to improve relations with Latin American countries. However, its legacy continued to impact Cuban-American relations for many years.