Editing History of Cuba (section)

===Possibility of annexation by the United States===
{{See also|Ostend manifesto}}
Black unrest and attempts by the Spanish metropolis to abolish slavery motivated many Creoles to advocate Cuba's annexation by the United States, where slavery was still legal. Other Cubans supported the idea due to their desire for American-style economic development and democratic freedom. In 1805, President [[Thomas Jefferson]] considered annexing Cuba for strategic reasons, sending agents to the island to negotiate with [[Salvador José de Muro, 2nd Marquis of Someruelos|Captain General Someruelos]]. In 1810, James Madison sent diplomat [[William Shaler]] to Cuba to "feel the pulse of Cuba as to an estimate of the inducements to a like incorporation of that island with the United States in comparison with those of an adherence to the Spanish Main, which cannot for a long time be equally capable of protecting the island against maritime dangers."<ref>Department of State, ''Dispatch to William Shaler, June 16th, 1810'', Correspondences 1799–1810, William Shaler Papers (#1172), Box 1, Historical Society of Pennsylvania.</ref>

In April 1823, [[United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] [[John Quincy Adams]] discussed the rules of political gravitation: "if an apple severed by its native tree cannot choose but fall to the ground, Cuba, forcibly disjoined from its own unnatural connection with Spain, and incapable of self-support, can gravitate only towards the North American Union which by the same law of nature, cannot cast her off its bosom".<ref>Worthington, Chauncey Ford (2001). ''Writings of John Quincy Adams'' (vol. VII). Boston, Massachusetts. p. 372.</ref> He furthermore warned that "the transfer of Cuba to Great Britain would be an event unpropitious to the interest of this Union".<ref>Worthington, Chauncey Ford (2001). ''Writings of John Quincy Adams'' (vol. VII). Boston, Massachusetts. p. 373.</ref> Adams voiced concern that a country outside of North America would attempt to occupy Cuba.<ref>Worthington, Chauncey Ford (2001). ''Writings of John Quincy Adams'' (vol. VII). Boston, Massachusetts. p. 379.</ref>

On 2 December 1823, U.S. President [[James Monroe]] specifically addressed Cuba and other European colonies in his proclamation of the [[Monroe Doctrine]]. Cuba, located just {{convert|94|mi}} from [[Key West|Key West, Florida]], was of interest to the doctrine's founders, as they warned European forces to leave "America for the Americans".<ref>Díez de Medina, Raúl (1934). ''Autopsy of the Monroe doctrine: The strange story of inter-American relations''. New York. p. 21.</ref>

The most outstanding attempts in support of annexation were made by the [[Venezuela]]n [[filibuster (military)|filibuster]] General [[Narciso López]], who prepared four expeditions to Cuba in the US. The first two, in 1848 and 1849, failed before departure due to U.S. opposition. The third, made up of some 600 men, managed to land in Cuba and take the central city of [[Cárdenas, Cuba|Cárdenas]], but failed eventually due to a lack of popular support. [[Lopez Expedition|López's fourth expedition]] landed in [[Pinar del Río]] province with around 400 men in August 1851; the invaders were defeated by Spanish troops and López was executed.