Question

The 1854 Ostend Manifesto

Select one:
a. enraged southern slave owners.
b. was directed at limiting England's influence in the Caribbean.
c. was part of an attempt by the United States to acquire Cuba.
d. saw several European powers denounce American slavery.
e. prohibited slavery in the Hawaiian Islands.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. was part of an attempt by the United States to acquire Cuba.

Explanation:

The Ostend Manifesto or Ostend Circular was a communication written on  October 18, 1854 originated by three U.S. diplomats in which they manifested the need to proceed with the seizure of Cuba from Spain. This incident was categorized as highly sensitive in the 1850s by the United States expansionist drive in the Caribbean region. U.S. was willing to take Cuba even by force if Spain refused to sell the island. This incident happened under the administration of President Franklin Pierce and Secretary of State William Marcy. The President had to bow to southern expansionist pressure so he had to give instructions diplomats in Spain, France and England to discuss this domestic U.S. interest in depth.