AHC:US annexes Cuba before 1860

raharris1973

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Is this plausible?

Would the US have the naval power to defeat Spain at any time in the period 1800-1860?

Presuming a southern secession happens later anyway, might Cuba become one of the first secessionist territories reclaimed by Union occupation?
 
There is the seemingly straightforward answer of the fillibusters being more successful during Franklin Pierce's presidency, but I'm not sure about how that would work exactly or how it plays out. (It's been awhile since I read Battlecry of Freedom.)

Actually, I got to thinking recently -- and I do realize this might sound crazy -- if a straight war for annexation of Cuba might be possible as part of an exchange for banning slavery in all federal territory, including gains from Mexico sans Texas. Unintuitive as that seems, it would answer the chief concern of the Free Soil movement -- making sure the western lands remain land of opportunity for free small farmers -- while giving some "balance" for the slave states.
 
There is the seemingly straightforward answer of the fillibusters being more successful during Franklin Pierce's presidency, but I'm not sure about how that would work exactly or how it plays out. (It's been awhile since I read Battlecry of Freedom.)

Actually, I got to thinking recently -- and I do realize this might sound crazy -- if a straight war for annexation of Cuba might be possible as part of an exchange for banning slavery in all federal territory, including gains from Mexico sans Texas. Unintuitive as that seems, it would answer the chief concern of the Free Soil movement -- making sure the western lands remain land of opportunity for free small farmers -- while giving some "balance" for the slave states.

If it took place before May 1854 it would achieve that de facto, since the acquisition of Cuba would be unpopular in the North, and in those circs the Kansas-Nebraska Bill would almost certainly be defeated.
 
Is this plausible?

Would the US have the naval power to defeat Spain at any time in the period 1800-1860?

Presuming a southern secession happens later anyway, might Cuba become one of the first secessionist territories reclaimed by Union occupation?

1. In short, yes, but not likely due to changes in the American political situation.

2. Situationally, yes. Assuming you can get a bloodier, more expensive, and longer-lasting Carlist War in Spain (Maybe the Liberal government takes on a more anti-Clerical stance, King Ferdinand flips back and forth in his final years on the Pragmatic Succession, thereby mudding the waters on Isabella's legitimacy, the Liberals take on a bigger debt and try to push through more centralizing reforms, further alienating the outlying provinces and colonial authorities), you could get a Spain crippled enough and with enough of a lose of legitimacy in its colonies to get the Cuban elite who both believe in the ability of the U.S to defend their position, lack belief in Spain's ability to hold the slaves down and retain their current privlaged position, ect. to back a fillibuster expedition.

3. Eh, I think they'll take a bit of time to reclaim, given the logistical pain of cross-oceanic operations and the fact that Cuban forces aren't going to get tapped to defend the Continental frontiers.
 
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