Cuban Identity: Really Theirs? The United States became involved in Cuba's struggle for independence with Spain because it had a keen interest in extending its power into offshore colonies. Cuba's sugar trade was a valuable commodity and served as another interest for the United States' intervention in the war against Spain in 1898. Although the war began three years before the United States declared war on Spain, they began to exert their influence and power over the colony by instilling a structured government from appointees of President William McKinley. These authorities created the interim Cuban government as a subset of the United States and whose policies and social structures resembled the United States rather than focusing on a specific Cuban structure. They created a government based on democracy that then drew on the social structure of Cubans of different colors who voted for positions in this government. Their structure of the Cuban system was strikingly similar to the changes being undertaken in Louisiana at the time, and Cuba was a secondary location to practice similar practices. McKinley appointed General John Brooke as the first military governor in 1899 and Brooke was known for protecting the liberties of black voters in the United States (Scott 155). Because Brooke was a foreigner, some of his policies were criticized by local politicians because he should not have had the authority to make rulings on cultural aspects. His debacle with determining ownership of property acquired during the war included an insipid position that some Cubans considered a “threat to the social order” (181). This caused concern and unrest among Cubans because if...... middle of paper ...... it applied to the United States because the military governments attempted to create another United States instead of adopting their strategies for a completely culture different and lifestyle. The political structure was initially emphasized by Brooke and Wood later developed a class system that did not fit Cuban culture. These governors were vessels for imparting the United States' methods for politics and social status and as it became more difficult to do so, the United States slowly withdrew from supporting the cause of colonization. Although the States failed to create either a U.S. or Cuban national structure, their support during the war allowed Cubans to enjoy their newfound freedom from Spain and create their own independent culture. Works Cited Scott, Rebecca J. Degrees of Freedom: Louisiana and Cuba after Slavery. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Belknap of Harvard UP, 2005. Print.