2. What is the historical significance of the Ostend Manifesto in terms of American interest in Cuba and the Spanish-American War in 1898? Why was there so much interest in Cuba both before and after the Civil War?

Explained Below

Explanation:

The Ostend Manifesto or the Ostend Circular was the change in American Foreign Policy that justified the use of power to annex Cuba from the Spanish Colonization. The Manifesto was first written in 1854. It provided the reasons for United States to declare a war on Spain to safeguard its national security if they do not give upon Cuba. The event further lead to American Spanish War of 1898 that gave America complete hold on Cuba.

There were many reasons for America's intervention into the Spanish territory. It began from the prevalence of slavery in Cuba as it provided a territory to expand slavery.

Cuba was of special importance for America as their economic and political interests were fully utilized from the region. Its major economy was based on sugar plantation. Cuba enjoyed a strategic geographical location that could aid in America's dominance in the Caribbean region. Cuba was an ideal location to strengthen America's position as well as its sociopolitical pursuits.