What was the purpose of the Platt Amendment?

The Platt Amendment was primarily aimed at outlining the conditions under which Cuba would gain independence from the United States following the Spanish-American War. Ratified in 1901, it imposed several stipulations on the Cuban government, effectively limiting Cuba's autonomy and allowing the United States significant influence over Cuban affairs. These included provisions such as the U.S. right to intervene in Cuban affairs to maintain stability and the requirement for Cuba to not enter into any treaties with foreign powers that could compromise its independence.

By establishing these conditions, the Platt Amendment ensured that, while Cuba was technically an independent nation, it remained under the significant influence and control of the United States. This gives context to the other options: while establishing a military base in Cuba could be seen as a consequence of the US influence, it was not the primary purpose. Promoting free trade in the Caribbean is a broader economic goal that was not the specific aim of the Platt Amendment, and recognizing Cuban sovereignty fully would contradict the actual effect of the Amendment, which limited Cuba's independence. Thus, the correct answer reflects the primary intention of the Platt Amendment in shaping Cuba's relationship with the United States.