--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Writer William Mills in 1898 bluntly…" description: "\"“Writer William Mills in 1898 bluntly articulated that “The independence of Cuba is, therefore, an historical absurdity… Nothing but her complete incor..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/keith-bolender-38242_cuba_writer-william-mills-in-1898-bluntly-art_2300666.jpg" --- # Writer William Mills in 1898 bluntly articulated that “The… ![“Writer William Mills in 1898 bluntly articulated that “The independence of Cuba is, therefore, an historical absurdity… Nothing but her complete incorporation into our territorial system will allay the menace of her geographical position.”4” quote by Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/keith-bolender-38242_cuba_writer-william-mills-in-1898-bluntly-art_2300666.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/keith-bolender-38242_cuba_writer-william-mills-in-1898-bluntly-art_2300666.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/keith-bolender-38242_cuba_writer-william-mills-in-1898-bluntly-art_2300666.jpg) > ““Writer William Mills in 1898 bluntly articulated that “The independence of Cuba is, therefore, an historical absurdity… Nothing but her complete incorporation into our territorial system will allay the menace of her geographical position.”4”” [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote argues that Cuba cannot remain independent because its location poses a strategic threat, so it must be annexed to eliminate that danger. **In simple terms:** Cuba’s geography makes independence risky; annexation solves it. Key Takeaway Consider geopolitical risks before asserting independence. Themes geopolitics colonialism strategic security national sovereignty Mood critical analytical Type political historical When to use this quote - policy debates - military strategy - regional planning - historical analysis Key Concepts imperialism realpolitik territorial expansion Questions to Reflect On - Is strategic security a justification for loss of sovereignty? - How do modern norms view such territorial claims? A Different Perspective Annexation may provoke resistance and international backlash. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cuba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cuba/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [It is my duty to prevent, through the independence of Cuba, the U.S.A. from spreading over the West Indies and falling with addedweight upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-marti/it-is-my-duty-to-prevent-through-the-independence-of-cuba-the-u-s-a/) [Jose Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-marti/) > [“Logically, then, whatever Fidel Castro did in opposition to American policy was wrong, regardless of his intentions and strategy towards his own people. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/logically-then-whatever-fidel-castro-did-in-opposition-to-american/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) > [“South Carolina representative Mendel Rivers angrily reaffirmed America’s perceived historical relationship with Cuba in a tirade against Fidel: “That bearded pipsqueak of the Antilles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/south-carolina-representative-mendel-rivers-angrily-reaffirmed/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) > [Cuba forces in Angola gave a real shot in the arm to the liberation movements, and it also was a lesson to the white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/cuba-forces-in-angola-gave-a-real-shot-in-the-arm-to-the-liberation/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Fidel Castro outlasted U.S. presidents determined to overthrow him, survived the collapse of the communist bloc that sustained him and outlived many of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-gjelten/fidel-castro-outlasted-u-s-presidents-determined-to-overthrow-him/) [Tom Gjelten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-gjelten/) > [Our Cuba policy was a major obstacle to getting things done in the hemisphere and a source of tension around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/our-cuba-policy-was-a-major-obstacle-to-getting-things-done-in-the/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Clearly if the United States' relationship with Cuba changed, which would require a regime change inside Cuba, if Cuba moved towards a more democratic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/clearly-if-the-united-states-relationship-with-cuba-changed-which/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) > [Greece is a sort of American vassal; the Netherlands is the country of American bases that grow like tulip bulbs; Cuba is the main…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/greece-is-a-sort-of-american-vassal-the-netherlands-is-the-country-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't want anything from Cuba. I want them to be free and enjoy the things I enjoy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-estefan/i-don-t-want-anything-from-cuba-i-want-them-to-be-free-and-enjoy-the/) [Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-estefan/) > [“The war that killed my grandfather and great-uncles and thousands of other blacks is only a footnote in our history books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-garc-a/the-war-that-killed-my-grandfather-and-great-uncles-and-thousands-of/) [Cristina García](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-garc-a/) > [Kennedy had made a mess in Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. He had to do something to look good. The Apollo program of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wally-schirra/kennedy-had-made-a-mess-in-cuba-at-the-bay-of-pigs-he-had-to-do/) [Wally Schirra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wally-schirra/) > [Part of me believes that Beyonce and Jay-Z were naive when they chose to celebrate their five-year wedding anniversary in Cuba. However, as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-schlapp/part-of-me-believes-that-beyonce-and-jay-z-were-naive-when-they-chose/) [Mercedes Schlapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-schlapp/) > [There is us living the Cuban experience that we believe is ours. We do not believe that it is perfect, but it has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-castro-espin/there-is-us-living-the-cuban-experience-that-we-believe-is-ours-we-do/) [Alejandro Castro Espin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-castro-espin/) > [I was born in Cuba. At the age of 14 years of age I was involved in a revolution. We were suffering from a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-was-born-in-cuba-at-the-age-of-14-years-of-age-i-was-involved-in-a/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) ## More by Keith Bolender > [“South Carolina representative Mendel Rivers angrily reaffirmed America’s perceived historical relationship with Cuba in a tirade against Fidel: “That bearded pipsqueak of the Antilles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/south-carolina-representative-mendel-rivers-angrily-reaffirmed/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) > [“American officials estimated millions would be spent to develop internal security systems, and State Department officials expected the Cuban government to increase internal surveillance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/american-officials-estimated-millions-would-be-spent-to-develop/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) > [“The same conclusion had already been presented to incoming President Kennedy by Arthur Schlesinger, transmitting the report of his Latin American Mission, which warned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/the-same-conclusion-had-already-been-presented-to-incoming-president/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) > [“When Kennedy took over from Eisenhower, the CIA spelled out much the same concerns. In July 1961 the CIA observed that “The extensive influence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/when-kennedy-took-over-from-eisenhower-the-cia-spelled-out-much-the/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) > [“The State Department Policy Planning Council soon expanded on these concerns: “the primary danger we face in Castro,” it concluded, is “in the impact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/the-state-department-policy-planning-council-soon-expanded-on-these/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) > [“Logically, then, whatever Fidel Castro did in opposition to American policy was wrong, regardless of his intentions and strategy towards his own people. All…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/logically-then-whatever-fidel-castro-did-in-opposition-to-american/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) > [“American officials estimated millions would be spent to develop internal security systems, and State Department officials expected the Cuban government to increase internal surveillance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/american-officials-estimated-millions-would-be-spent-to-develop-2/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) > [“The actions of both sides made it easier for that American wrath to be warranted as retribution of the aggrieved. The early months saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/the-actions-of-both-sides-made-it-easier-for-that-american-wrath-to/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) > [“The “virtual colony” gained authentic liberation in 1959, apart from its Eastern region. And within months the assault began, using the weapons of violence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/the-virtual-colony-gained-authentic-liberation-in-1959-apart-from-its/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) > [“American control was represented as desirable as it would bring social stability, political maturity and economic prosperity to the child-like Cubans. Naturally then, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/american-control-was-represented-as-desirable-as-it-would-bring/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) > [“Warnings of the dire consequences came fast. For Castro to control Cuba is “a disgrace and an affront which diminishes the respect with which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/warnings-of-the-dire-consequences-came-fast-for-castro-to-control/) [Keith Bolender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) [Explore all 12 Keith Bolender quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/) ## More Cuba quotes > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [I was born in Cuba. At the age of 14 years of age I was involved in a revolution. We were suffering from a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-was-born-in-cuba-at-the-age-of-14-years-of-age-i-was-involved-in-a/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) > [There is us living the Cuban experience that we believe is ours. We do not believe that it is perfect, but it has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-castro-espin/there-is-us-living-the-cuban-experience-that-we-believe-is-ours-we-do/) [Alejandro Castro Espin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-castro-espin/) > [Part of me believes that Beyonce and Jay-Z were naive when they chose to celebrate their five-year wedding anniversary in Cuba. However, as the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-schlapp/part-of-me-believes-that-beyonce-and-jay-z-were-naive-when-they-chose/) [Mercedes Schlapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-schlapp/) > [Kennedy had made a mess in Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. He had to do something to look good. The Apollo program of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wally-schirra/kennedy-had-made-a-mess-in-cuba-at-the-bay-of-pigs-he-had-to-do/) [Wally Schirra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wally-schirra/) > [“The war that killed my grandfather and great-uncles and thousands of other blacks is only a footnote in our history books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-garc-a/the-war-that-killed-my-grandfather-and-great-uncles-and-thousands-of/) [Cristina García](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-garc-a/) > [I don't want anything from Cuba. I want them to be free and enjoy the things I enjoy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-estefan/i-don-t-want-anything-from-cuba-i-want-them-to-be-free-and-enjoy-the/) [Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-estefan/) > [Greece is a sort of American vassal; the Netherlands is the country of American bases that grow like tulip bulbs; Cuba is the main…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/greece-is-a-sort-of-american-vassal-the-netherlands-is-the-country-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Clearly if the United States' relationship with Cuba changed, which would require a regime change inside Cuba, if Cuba moved towards a more democratic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeb-bush/clearly-if-the-united-states-relationship-with-cuba-changed-which/) [Jeb Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeb-bush/) > [Our Cuba policy was a major obstacle to getting things done in the hemisphere and a source of tension around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-rhodes/our-cuba-policy-was-a-major-obstacle-to-getting-things-done-in-the/) [Ben Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-rhodes/) > [Fidel Castro outlasted U.S. presidents determined to overthrow him, survived the collapse of the communist bloc that sustained him and outlived many of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-gjelten/fidel-castro-outlasted-u-s-presidents-determined-to-overthrow-him/) [Tom Gjelten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-gjelten/) > [Cuba forces in Angola gave a real shot in the arm to the liberation movements, and it also was a lesson to the white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/cuba-forces-in-angola-gave-a-real-shot-in-the-arm-to-the-liberation/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [There's a growing consensus that the best way to defeat communism in Cuba is to get its citizens hooked on American goods.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-noah/there-s-a-growing-consensus-that-the-best-way-to-defeat-communism-in/) [Timothy Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-noah/) > [I have my great grandmother's recipe for black beans, all the way from Cuba, and I know how to make those. I'm actually pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-pino/i-have-my-great-grandmother-s-recipe-for-black-beans-all-the-way-from/) [Danny Pino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-pino/) > [A whole series of changes that are in the code, are in the laws of the United States. If Cuba changes its position toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/a-whole-series-of-changes-that-are-in-the-code-are-in-the-laws-of-the/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) [Browse all 654 Cuba quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cuba/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Writer William Mills in 1898 bluntly articulated that “The independence of Cuba is, therefore, an historical absurdity… Nothing but her complete incorporation into our territorial system will allay the menace of her geographical position.”4”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Keith Bolender" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/writer-william-mills-in-1898-bluntly-articulated-that-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cuba" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/writer-william-mills-in-1898-bluntly-articulated-that-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/keith-bolender-38242_cuba_writer-william-mills-in-1898-bluntly-art_2300666.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/keith-bolender-38242_cuba_writer-william-mills-in-1898-bluntly-art_2300666.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/01d/keith-bolender-38242_cuba_writer-william-mills-in-1898-bluntly-art_2300666.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Writer William Mills in 1898 bluntly articulated that “The independence of Cuba is, therefore, an historical…” — Keith Bolender", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Keith Bolender", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-bolender/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Writer William Mills in 1898 bluntly...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/writer-william-mills-in-1898-bluntly-articulated-that-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-bolender/writer-william-mills-in-1898-bluntly-articulated-that-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```