Today’s Objective: The Student will be able to…..  Describe Cuba’s history and its relationship with the United States.  Identify the effects of Communism on Cuba’s economy.  Describe life in Cuba since the revolution.

Geographical Data  Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean Sea  90 miles south of Key West, Florida  Slightly smaller than the state of Pennsylvania  Roughly 11, 225, 000 people

Independence & the Spanish- American War  Cuba was one of the last countries to gain freedom from Spanish rule.  In 1895 José Marti led the Cubans in the fight for independence.  In 1898 the USS Maine explodes in Havana harbor, sparking the beginning of the Spanish-American War.  The Spanish-American War only lasts for a few months of 1898 and ends with Spain surrendering to the USA.

USA Ties to Cuba From the USA army stayed in Cuba to keep peace and help set up a new government.  During this time Cubans and the US Army built many needed roads, bridges, and public schools. In 1902 the US Army withdrew from Cuba, and they officially became an independent nation Even though the USA had withdrawn from Cuba, they insisted that they held the right to send US soldiers to Cuba any time they wanted. To this day the USA military has a presence in Cuba through their Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay.

Pre-Revolution  After independence Cuba had a series of leaders. Some were elected, some not…  Most of these leaders ruled as dictators  These dictators made sure that they were on friendly terms with the USA  They welcomed US businesses and tourists  Havana, Cuba’s capitol, offered luxury resorts and casinos to tourists while most Cubans remained poor Many Cubans were angry with their government and cried for change, they were tired of the dictators

Castro & the Revolution  In the 1950s Fidel Castro was a young lawyer passionate about politics and known for his great speaking skills.  1956 Castro and a few followers established HQ for their revolutions in the mountains of SE Cuba.  Slowly, as Cubans began to join Castro’s small army, the rebels began to win battles against the government troops.

 As the revolution grew stronger, Cuba’s dictator, Fulgencio Batista fled the country Jan. 1,  On Jan. 8, 1959, Castro and his army marched into Havana with 500,000 joyful greeters.  In a speech to the crowd he promised no more dictators

Castro Comes to Power in the Cold War  Once Castro officially gained control of Cuba he needed the friendship of a powerful ally.  The Soviet Union (USSR) was eager to provide its friendship and supply Cuba with weapons and trade.  This positive attention from USSR made it easy for Castro to side with USSR in the cold war (against the USA).

Cuba Turns to Communism  Since Cuba became friendly with the Soviet Union they adopted the USSR’s economy policy; communism.  Communism is an economic and political system where the government plans and controls a country’s economy. Essentially, the government owns all farms, factories, and businesses. You have no personal property. You work to support your national government. Under communism, Castro’s government took control of Cuba’s big sugar cane plantations, US banks, & oil refineries, many of which had been owned by US companies.

USA cuts off Cuba  The USA gets angry with Castro’s takeover of businesses so they cut off all trade with Cuba.  Cuba can no longer sell their sugar to the USA, so the USSR steps in and buys it. The USSR also sends Cuba farm machinery, food, and money.

Castro as Dictator  The poor usually supported Castro’s policies but the rich did not because he redistributed their farm land.  Castro also imprisoned people who spoke out against him.  Castro has control over all of Cuban media, no one is allowed to criticize him or his government.  Despite his 1959 promise, Castro has become a dictator!

Cuba’s Economy Now  Since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Cuba has struggled to maintain their communist lifestyle.  Without the USSR, Cuba has no one to sell their sugar to!  While the USSR was still a world power it traded oil, grain, and machinery for Cuba’s sugar. Most of these products were worth more money than sugar so in a large way the USSR was supporting Cuba’s economy.  The trade restrictions placed on Cuba by the USA has hurt the Cuban economy tremendously.

Life in Cuba  Communism effects the education system too.  After the revolution the government set up new schools and sent teachers into villages to teach those who could not read or write.  Many older people who never had the opportunity to go to school were now reading for the first time. Today, children ages 6-12 must go to school. They can choose whether or not to continue their education after that. All schools are free, including college but all students must take classes that teach communist beliefs.

Like education, all health care in Cuba is paid for by the government. Every small village has a clinic. However, ever since the fall of the USSR, there have been problems with the system. Lack of fuel for buses and cars prevented some kids from getting to school. Food shortages have caused malnutrition Life in Cuba, again.

Arts, Sports, Holidays  Cuban government places strict limits on what artists, writers, and film-makers may say in their work. - Because of these restrictions, many Cubans have fled to other countries in search for a greater freedom of expression.  Despite these restrictions some art forms still thrive, such as music. Cuban music combines African drums and Spanish guitar. Music is a very strong part of Cuba’s everyday life.

 Baseball is the national sport, they even won the Olympic gold In Carnival is a favorite Cuban holiday, It takes place at the end of the sugar harvest each July. Cubans celebrate with festivals full of music & dancing.

Normalization of Relations with Cuba…

Normalization continued…