Cuba: An American History

Cuba: An American History is a historical book by Ada Ferrer which was published in 2021. In her book, Ada Ferrer begins by addressing the consequential arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas. She illustrates how Columbus's arrival resulted in the wiping out of the indigenous population and the establishment of an economy heavily reliant on enslaved labor for the cultivation of crops such as sugar, tobacco, and rum, decimating Cuba for centuries. As the United States began to establish itself as a regional power, John Adams expressed intentions to annex Cuba. Ultimately, the United States implemented and enforced the Monroe Doctrine, which served as a formal notification to European nations that Cuba was within the sphere of influence of the United States. Ferrer challenges the notion that the U.S. played a benevolent role in Cuba’s pursuit of independence. She explains that the Americans pressured the fledgling Cuban Republic into accepting the Platt Amendment. A legislation that granted the U.S. the right to intervene militarily whenever it deemed necessary and established the Guantanamo military base, fostering tensions with revolutionary Cubans. Many were outraged by the fact that significant portions of Cuban land were owned by Americans, fueling resentment and calls for change.