Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean History Practice Exam

The choice indicating that the establishment of manufacturing industries was not a benefit to Caribbean territories from U.S. occupations during the 20th century reflects an important aspect of the economic impact of these occupations. While U.S. intervention in the Caribbean did lead to improvements in various sectors such as education, infrastructure, and governance, the specific emphasis on manufacturing industries is less evident.

U.S. occupations often prioritized control over resources and strategic interests rather than fostering local economic independence through manufacturing. Instead, they tended to cement reliance on extractive industries and the export of raw materials, limiting the development of robust local manufacturing. The focus was generally on enabling conditions that benefited U.S. economic interests rather than creating a self-sustaining manufacturing sector in the Caribbean.

In contrast, the enhancement of educational systems often resulted from U.S. investments in schools and educational programs to create a more manageable and literate workforce. Similarly, infrastructure development was a priority to facilitate U.S. operations and enhance regional control, while support for local governance was typically framed within the context of stabilizing U.S. interests in the region. Therefore, the emphasis on manufacturing industries fails to capture the broader economic vision that the U.S. had during these occupations.