What was the Ostend Manifesto's proposal concerning Cuba?

The Ostend Manifesto proposed that the United States should purchase Cuba for $20 million. This document, created in 1854 by American diplomats in Europe, reflected a desire among some U.S. leaders to expand American territory, particularly in the Caribbean, for strategic and economic reasons. It suggested that if Spain were unwilling to sell Cuba, the U.S. could consider taking it by force, which indicates the aggressive expansionist sentiment of the time.

This context helps clarify why the proposal to purchase Cuba stands out as the central theme of the Ostend Manifesto, as it encapsulates the broader ideologies of Manifest Destiny and American imperialism. The push to acquire Cuba was motivated by desires for the expansion of slavery and the enhancement of U.S. geopolitical power, further solidifying its relevance in the context of mid-19th century American foreign policy.