With the end of the Spanish–American War (1898) came the end of the United States’ military occupation of Cuba. The United States did not leave altogether, however. Cuba was established as an American protectorate, which meant Cuba maintained its own government even as the United States maintained a significant measure of control over that government. The United States gave as its reason for occupation the assertion that Cuba was not strong enough to be completely independent, but the key reason for U.S. intervention in Cuba was to protect U.S. interests. With Cuba as a protectorate, the United States had the power to intervene in Cuban affairs and make important economic decisions. The United States was criticized for its actions since its publicized reason for going to war was to help Cuba gain independence.