Cuba

Abstract

Cuba, except for a brief period of British occupancy in 1762–63, remained a Spanish possession from the date of its discovery by Columbus in 1492 until 10 Dec. 1898, when the sovereignty was relinquished under the terms of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the armed intervention of the U.S.A. in the struggle of the Cubans against Spanish rule. Cuba thus became an independent state, but the United States stipulated that Cuba must enter into no treaty relations with a foreign power, which might endanger its independence. A convention which assembled on 6 Nov. 1900 drew up a constitution which was adopted 21 Feb. 1901, under which the island assumed a republican form of government, with a President, Vice-President, a Senate and a House of Representatives. Havana is the capital.