CUBA Created by Noah

LOCATION

A Summarized History Originally inhabited by the Ciboneyes, Guanahatabeyes, and the Tainos tribes. Christopher Columbus discovers Cuba in 1492 and Spain begins to colonize. Official government established in 1607 with Havana as the capitol Spain tightens her grip on by taking control of all trade and increases military presense October 10, 1868: Cuban’s begin fighting for independence in the Ten Year’s War Ends when rebels except Spanish promises for reforms Economy collapses shortly after, allowing American investors to buy large amounts of Cuban land

History Continued… In 1895, Cuba declares a second War of Independence America begins lending aid after declaring war on Spain in 1898 Spain surrenders and the new Independent Cuba becomes a US territory America interferes with Cuban government well into the 1950’s March 10, 1952: a US supported coup lead by Fulgencio Batista overthrows the government and eliminates the Cuban Congress July 26, 1953: Fidel Castro leads 160 rebels on a raid of the Moncada Barracks. Ends with almost everyone dead or captured. Castro, seen as a hero of the people, is exiled into Mexico begins training a new army

History Part III Castro's Return CIA begins anti-revolutionary operations April 17, 1961. 2 AM: 1,500 US-trained counter revolutionists land in the Bay of Pigs and are hacked down within 72 hours by Soviet-supplied personal under Castro himself Cuba allies itself with the Soviet Union Nuclear war comes close to breaking out when Castro has Soviet Nuclear Warheads imported into his country in 1962 US and Cuba have been on shaky grounds since

Geography 44,200 sq miles (smaller than PA) Terrain is mostly flat with hilly plains Southeast is mountainous Tropical climate

The People Population: 11,087,330 (as of July, 2011) 75% lives in urban areas 74th largest population Religions: 85% Roman Catholic (before Castro) Official language: Spanish Capital is Havana

The Government Totalitarian Communist state under the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) Triumph of the revolution: January 1, 1959 Current head of state is General Raul Castro (as of Feb. 24, 2008)

Economy Limited due to Government fighting for political control 83% of the workforce employed by state Less than 15% are private/self employed VERY Low standard of living Major exports: sugar, coffee, medical supplies, and tobacco Huge trading partner with Venezuela (medical supplies for oil)

The Military Consists of: Crippled after the Soviet Union collapsed Revolutionary Army Revolutionary Navy Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force Youth Labor Army Crippled after the Soviet Union collapsed Manpower estimated 50-55 thousand Regular drills for possible US aggression One of the most formidable in Latin America

Current US-Cuban Relations Uneasy since the 1959 revolution Official US policy is Economical embargo and diplomatic isolation Minimum communication Under the Obama administration, agricultural exports to Cuba has increased (#1 exporter to Cuba) Cuba is offended by being on the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism due to there disapproval of the War on Terrorism

Current Events The first of the Cuban Five was released after 13 years in a Florida Prison. Rene Gonzalez, along with 4 others, was a Cuban intelligent officer who managed to infiltrate US Army bases in search of anti-Castro exiles back in the 90’s. Gonzalez and his four comrades were put on trial for possible terrorism even though they were never found with weapons. The other 4 are still in prison still with a possible 15 year-life sentence. During the 6th Congress of the PCC, President Raul Castro announced to set a limit on political terms. With his way, politicians will be limited to 2 five-year terms. There is a lot of criticism about this due to the fact that this is towards the end of the Castro regiem.

References http://www.onwar.com/aced/data/cite/cuba1956.htm http://rt.com/usa/news/cuban-gonzalez-five-prison-315/ http://library.thinkquest.org/18355/the_cuban_revolution_-_1959.html http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/havana/early.htm http://www.cfr.org/cuba/us-cuba-relations/p11113#p2 http://www.rcgfrfi.easynet.co.uk/ratb/cuba/cuba_rev.htm http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/cuba/index.html http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2886.htm https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cu.html

The Revolution November 25, 1956: Castro and his 82 man army set sail for Cuba on the yacht Granma Immediately strafed by planes coming up the beachhead 12 partisans, including Fidel and his brother Raul, regrouped in the Sierra Maesestra mountain range Began a two year Gorilla War against Batista’s US-armed troops Gained much support from the people, and castors ranks grew in the hundreds August of 1958: Fidel begins a “total war” against Batista’s forces with a two column strike ending in Havana January 1, 1959: Batista fleas, and the Revolution takes control of the Government