Imperialism; a policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. This is what the United States is known for between 1850 and 1920. The United States made Cuba a protectorate, exerted influence over China and Japan, intervened in Latin America and Mexico, and annexed Hawaii, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico. The United States became a large and strong nation by competing or influencing territories. This marked the beginning of the United States' path to becoming a world power. The United States decided to establish a protectorate for Cuba. After the end of the Spanish-American War, America wanted to restore order in Cuba and Puerto Rico. American investment so President McKinley established military governments on each island. After establishing bases on the islands, McKinley appointed Leonard Wood governor of Cuba in 1899. The United States wanted control over Cuba. America also forced Cuba to include a Platt Amendment in (1901) as part of its new constitution, which limited Cuba's ability to sign treaties with other nations. This amendment also forced Cuba to rent or lease land to the American government as property. The Platt Amendment made clear that Cuba was a protectorate of the United States. When Cuba accepted this agreement, America withdrew its troops. The reason the United States took control of Cuba is simple. They wanted to grant land and help Cubans due to the messy state of the country. The United States was not justified in these actions because if you help a country you do not grant amendments, therefore you cannot make treaties with other countries and you do not give the United States intervention in Cuban affairs. This doesn't seem like help but a way to make the country right. The American did the wrong thing with the entire Pl......center of the card......making it independent. Filipinos were excited to vote and be part of the United States government. The United States had no other reason to conquer the Philippines other than to showcase itself as a world power. What the United States did was in no way justifiable for a good cause. Bottom line, the United States has done only a few things to help that country or America. Usually America would simply try to keep up with world domination. America did things just to look good. They didn't need Hawaii and the Philippines. The United States only wanted them so they could appear strong as a nation. I think the only country that the US has helped with these ideas is Cuba. Cuba was also controlled by the US. The United States considers it a house of control even though it is not. What America did was mostly to make the country look good. So in the end America was rightfully involved in the competition.