Why might the platt amendmate be considered ironic?

The Platt Amendment might be considered ironic because while it is an agreement that will keep foreign nations from interfering in the affairs of Cuba, the United States continued to be involved in the nation's affairs, even maintaining a naval station in Guantanamo Bay. So, signing an agreement to keep foreign nations away from Cuba while still getting itself involved is an ironic situation.

Explanation:

The Platt Amendment was a treaty between the United States and Cuba that aims to prevent any foreign nation from interfering in Cuba's internal affairs. This was an attempt by the United States to protect Cuba's independence.

This amendment is ironic because of the very nature of the agreement. While it ensures the independence of Cuba from any foreign nation's intervention in its affairs, the US still makes its presence in the nation. While stating that the main objective of the agreement was to make Cuba an independent nation without any other nation's intervention or involvement, the United States still maintained or got involved in the South American nation's affairs, including the establishment of the naval station at Guantanamo Bay.

The Platt Amendment can be considered ironic because the US was demanding other states not to interfere in Cuban's affair while it was doing the same.

Explanation:

The Platt Amendment was a treaty formed between the US and Cuba after the Spanish-American ended in 1898. After the war ended, Cuba was under control of the US government but an amendment was passed between the US and Cuba that US will not try to take complete control over Cuba. This amendment was known as Teller Amendment. The Platt Amendment can said  to be an extension of the Teller Amendment which formed a treaty between the US and Cuba in 1901.

The amendment was passed demanding that other states should not interfere in the Cuba's affair. The irony of the Platt Amendment is that though this amendment approved Cuba to be 'self-governing colony' many of Cuba's affairs are in control of the US.

the correct answer is:

b) a rich merchant.