Cuba: The Evolution of Our Neighbor

Before Cuba was a Colony Before Columbus, inhabited by 3 different indigenous tribes

Cuba as a Colony Spain establishes colony 1511 Spain establishes colony 1511 By 1535, Natives wiped out (majority race in Cuba today is mulatto, not mestizo) By 1535, Natives wiped out (majority race in Cuba today is mulatto, not mestizo)

Colonial economy encomienda system (plantation system) encomienda system (plantation system) sugar & tobacco sugar & tobacco Africans as slaves Africans as slaves

Attempts at Independence Fail Cuba still a colony when most Lat Am colonies independent Cuba still a colony when most Lat Am colonies independent 1895 Jose Marti led struggle, but also failed 1895 Jose Marti led struggle, but also failed Cuba gets US to support revolution against Spain Cuba gets US to support revolution against Spain

War with Spain USS Maine explodes in Havana USS Maine explodes in Havana US blames Spain, declares war US blames Spain, declares war Spanish-American War lasts 4 months (Teddy Roosevelt, Rough Riders, etc.) Spanish-American War lasts 4 months (Teddy Roosevelt, Rough Riders, etc.) US gains control of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and other Spanish Territories US gains control of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and other Spanish Territories US occupies Cuba until 1902 US occupies Cuba until 1902

“Independent” Cuba Platt Amendment (Cuban Constitution) allowed US involvement in Cuban politics Platt Amendment (Cuban Constitution) allowed US involvement in Cuban politics Later eliminated, but agreed to a perpetual lease for Guantanamo Bay to build naval base Later eliminated, but agreed to a perpetual lease for Guantanamo Bay to build naval base

Cuba Turns Dictatorship 1952 – Batista (conservative) leads coup d‘etat, establishes dictatorship economy declines economy declines Cubans become unhappy Cubans become unhappy

Fidel Castro (leftist guerilla) overthrows Batista

Fidel Castro's Cuba Economic & social changes (communism) farm reform farm reform nationalized industry, banking & health care nationalized industry, banking & health care

Cold War and Cuba Cuba communist & allies w/ Soviet Union Cuba communist & allies w/ Soviet Union US Breaks ties with Cuba US Breaks ties with Cuba established trade embargo established trade embargo US loses $ US loses $

Bay of Pigs US attempt to overthrow Castro US attempt to overthrow Castro Gave Cuban exiles (people that fled) guns Gave Cuban exiles (people that fled) guns “Dropped them off” & gave no additional support “Dropped them off” & gave no additional support Uprising was defeated Uprising was defeated

Cuban Missile Crisis

Soviet Union built missile bases on Cuba Soviet Union built missile bases on Cuba US established naval blockade US established naval blockade Soviet Union sent ships Soviet Union sent ships To avoid war, Soviet Union promised to remove missiles if US promised not to invade Cuba To avoid war, Soviet Union promised to remove missiles if US promised not to invade Cuba

Post Cold War Cuba Soviet Union falls  Cuba loses economic support Soviet Union falls  Cuba loses economic support Castro becomes more lenient Castro becomes more lenient Cubans now allowed to practice religion & be a member of Communist Party Cubans now allowed to practice religion & be a member of Communist Party

Current Day Situation Still have Guantanamo Bay military base Still have Guantanamo Bay military base Still have US trade embargo against Cuba Still have US trade embargo against Cuba Tensions between US and Cuba decreasing Tensions between US and Cuba decreasing

A New Outlook on Cuba As you watch the speech given by President Obama, write down the changes he discusses about U.S.-Cuba relations As you watch the speech given by President Obama, write down the changes he discusses about U.S.-Cuba relations 17/obama-cuba_n_ html 17/obama-cuba_n_ html