* * See "The Path of Empire", by Carl Russell Fish (in "The Chronicles of America").
The island then became a republic, subject only to such limitations on its freedom of action as its big guardian might see fit to impose.

Not only was Cuba placed under American rule from 1899 to 1902, but it had to insert in the Constitution of 1901 certain clauses that could not fail to be galling to Cuban pride.

Among them two were of special significance.

One imposed limitations on the financial powers of the Government of the new nation, and the other authorized the United States, at its discretion, to intervene in Cuban affairs for the purpose of maintaining public order.

The Cubans, it would seem, had exchanged a dependence on Spain for a restricted independence measured by the will of a country infinitely stronger.
Cuba began its life as a republic in 1902, under a government for which a form both unitary and federal had been provided.