Cuban Revolution
Cuba entered the 20th century grappling with a persistent legacy of corruption that was deeply embedded in its political and social fabric. The first presidential term under Don Tomás Estrada Palma from 1902 to 1906 marked a brief period where administrative integrity was emphasized. However, this promise was soon undermined by the U.S. intervention of 1906, which led to the appointment of Charles Edward Magoon as the American governor. Although Magoon claimed to detest corrupt practices, the combination of American capital inflow and the existing political culture allowed corruption to breed under his administration. Disputes emerged over Magoon’s role in corruption, particularly regarding his issue of lucrative contracts to U.S. firms, which fostered an environment ripe for financial misconduct....