WI: America Buys Cuba

I considered putting this in the pre-1900 section, but I figure it's more likely around the turn of the century.

So, here's the premise;

The United States does'nt go to war with Spain in 1898, figuring instead that being patient and allowing things to go on as they were was a better idea,
skip forward to 1910, Spain, now struggling financially and still dealing with the Revolution in Havana and rebellions in the Philippines strikes a deal with
the United States; Spain will sell Cuba to the United States for say $30 a mile ($1,284,090)* under the condition Cuba not become independent and
Spain comes out of it without any damage to their national prestige.


So, now that America is in control of Cuba that's more than likely going to become a state at some point, how does this affect Spain, America,
their mutual relations and the world overall?

What changes in Asia with Spain still in control of the Philippines and Guam?




*A guesstimate, I'm not totally sure on inflationary rates and such, but for the time period it seems like an acceptable price for Cuba.
 
Spain would never sell Cuba as it was its last province of its once great empire in the Americas and much spanish pride and stablility depended on having Cuba.
The Spanish economy before the Spanish - American war was modernising and the contry had been farely stable since the end of the Spanish first republic. The reason that ealry 20th century Spain was soo unstable was due to the stable constitutional monarchy of before 1898 being undermined by its catistophic defeat and the loss of its empire. This resulted in support for Anarchists, nationalists and Communists increasing greatly and the leadership of Spain cracking down on them. causing great unstablility, Primo de Riveria dictatorship and la Semana Tragica.

The Spanish government would never agree to sell Cuba to another major power (due to it being the last part of thier great american empire). The Spanish government would prefer for it to become independent. Spain would sell Guam, Phillipenes, Puerto Rico and Rio Muni and any other colonial possesions before they would sell Cuba

The only way America would get Cuba is that it revolts, Spain then tries to crush it and fails. Cuba is declared independent and then requests annexation by US or is annexed though war.
Or though the way it almost did , by defeating Spain in a war and annexing it.
 

yourworstnightmare

Banned
Donor
If Spain retain control of their Pacific Empire we'd perhaps see a Japanese- Spanish war. Plausibility??

I think you're right Spain would never sell Cuba, but what if Spain recognize Cuba's independence, and secretly take money from the US for doing so. US controlled Cuba, with Cuba being independent until Castro's revolution OTL, this could be a peaceful way for the US to control the island.
 

cbrunish

Banned
The Germans were ready to gobble up the Spanish pacific colonies. If the Spanish-American War did not happen then the Germans might have tried to take the Philippines, Guam, and the rest of the Spanish pacific islands.
 
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