1. A Brief History of Cuba 1897-Today

2. Cuba has been strategically important to the United States due to its close proximity to our mainland. It was important to us that we have a Cuban leader who was friendly to America and its interests.

3. CubaBackground  The island of Cuba, which is only 90 miles from Florida, was owned by Spain  Cuba was ruled by a ruthless dictator, General Valeriano Weyler, known as “the butcher”  U.S. trade with Cuba was worth $100 million a year.  Americans also invested $50 million in Cuban sugar & rice plantations, mines, tobacco and railroads THE UNITED STATES WANTED CUBA FREE FROM SPAIN…….

4. Spanish-American War  In 1898 A revolution began in the Spanish Colony of Cuba  In response to the rebellion, and to show support for the rebels, the Americans sent the warship USS Maine into Havana harbor.

5. Before…

6. During…

8. After…

9. The Bombing of the Maine  After the Maine was destroyed in Havana harbor, the U.S. media immediately went to work blaming the destruction on the Spanish despite the lack of evidence.  As of today, historians believe that the ammo room inside the ship caught fire and the resulting explosion destroyed the ship.  This may have been caused by something as innocent as a dropped cigarette.

10. Yellow Journalism and the Spanish American War  When the U.S.S. Maine was destroyed, the New York Herald ran a story with the headline: "The War Ship Maine was Split in Two by an Enemy's Secret Infernal Machine.”  The story detailed how the Spanish had planted a torpedo underneath the Maine and detonated it from shore.  Captain Sigsbee, the Maine’s C.O., made an official report stating that it was impossible to tell what caused the explosion which sunk the ship, however he changed his story after reading the account of the event in the Herald.

13.  The end result of these stories was a declaration of war against Spain by the United States.

14. "The war of the United States with Spain was very brief. Its results were many, startling, and of world-wide meaning." --Henry Cabot Lodge  The war lasted only four months. From April through August and was a clear victory for the U.S.  The U.S. gained control of several territories, including Cuba. The “Splendid Little War”

15. The Results of the Spanish-American War 379 Americans were killed in the war 5,000 more Americans died of other causes – mostly diseases – such as malaria, typhoid, and yellow fever Spain gave Cuba its freedom Spain gave the United States two islands: Puerto Rico in the Caribbean and Guam in the Pacific On August 12, 1898, Spain and the United States signed an armistice, an agreement to stop fighting In return for $20 million, Spain gave the Philippines to the U.S.

16. The Rough Riders U.S. Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt San Juan Hill was in the important Cuban city of Santiago. “TR” and his men were victorious, and two days later the Spanish army in Cuba surrendered

17. The Philippines TTTThe Philippine Islands were Spain’s main naval base in the Pacific OOOOn April 30, 1898, Commodore George Dewey sailed into Manila Bay with the U.S. Pacific fleet BBBBy noon the Spanish fleet in the Philippines was destroyed

18. The Platt Amendment This amendment allowed the United States to intervene (interfere) in Cuban affairs when necessary and also gave the United States of the naval base at Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) Since the September 11 th attacks,, the U.S. has Used Guantanamo Bay as a detention center for prisoners-of-war

19. The Foraker Act This act gave the people of Puerto Rico only a limited say in their own government. As a territory of the United States, Puerto Ricans are considered American citizens. The United States set up schools, improved health care, and built roads on the island. Puerto Ricans are very divided about their status. When the last vote was taken, in 1993, 48% wanted to remain as a territory of the U.S., 46% wanted statehood, and the remainder favored independence

20. The Filipino War For Independence  The U.S. did not think the Philippines were “ready” for independence after the Spanish- American War  Emilio Aguinaldo led the Philippine rebels against the U.S.  Aguinaldo was captured in 1901, ending the Filipino War For Independence  More than 4,000 Americans died in the war; 20,000 Filipino soldiers were killed and another 200,000 died from famine and disease The Philippines were made a territory in 1902. In 1946, the United States finally granted the Philippines independence!

21. The U.S. and Cuban Independence  As soon as President Roosevelt took office in 1901, he began working to grant independence to Cuba and its people.  This did not come without a price…  In order to be free from U.S. control the Cuban government would be forced to insert an amendment into their constitution…

22. The Platt Amendment  This small amendment into the Cuban constitution allowed the U.S. to maintain control over Cuba despite it’s “independence.”  The amendment allowed the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs: it allowed us to supervise all financial decisions as well as foreign affairs.  It also gave us a new naval base…

23. Cuba Under Batista

24.  Cuba became a hot vacation destination.  Casinos opened for business and famously, Frank Sinatra came to Havana to play a show.

26. Cuban Revolution - 1959

27. I warn you, I am just beginning! If there is in your hearts a vestige of love for your country, love for humanity, love for justice, listen carefully... I know that the regime will try to suppress the truth by all possible means; I know that there will be a conspiracy to bury me in oblivion. But my voice will not be stifled – it will rise from my breast even when I feel most alone, and my heart will give it all the fire that callous cowards deny it... Condemn me. It does not matter. History will absolve me.

30. Interesting Things about the Revolution  “During this period Castro repeatedly denied being a communist. For example in New York on April 25 he said, communist "influence is nothing. I don't agree with communism. We are democracy. We are against all kinds of dictators.... That is why we oppose communism.“  Castro attempted to form a friendly relationship with the U.S. government, but he was denied a meeting with then President Eisenhower to discuss their relationship.6

31. Guantanamo Bay Naval Base

32.  For most of its history, the base operated as a normal Naval Station.  However since 2002, the base has been used to hold what our government has called: “enemy combatants”

34. Guantanamo Bay Prison Controversy  There has been significant controversy over the use of the prison.  Many of the detainees at the prison have been denied their rights of HABEAS CORPUS: The right to see the evidence against you and have your day in court.  Many detainees have been there for over five years without a trial.  This violates both U.S. law and International Treaties such as the Geneva conventions.

35. More controversy…  Controversy also surrounds interrogation techniques used to extract information from detainees at the base.  Due to the fact that prisoners may posses intimate knowledge of terrorist plots against the U.S. the government has authorized the use of more “persuasive” interrogation techniques such as sensory deprivation and water- boarding.

36. Sensory Deprivation

37. We may notice in this picture that each prisoner has goggles over their eyes, masks over their nose and mouth as well as coverings for their ears and hands. This all serves to enhance the sensory deprivation experience.

38. Followed by sensory overload: Sensory overload can include a wide range of things such as loud noises (dogs), bright lights, etc. These things are made more intense because the suspect was exposed to nothing for long periods of time. (Like turning on a bright light after you’ve been in darkness for a while.)

39. Waterboarding:

40. Official Response  During the years of the Bush presidency, officials in the military denied they used torture on detainees.  They also deny that the use of “waterboarding” and sensory deprivation is considered torture.  Bush explained the use of these extreme techniques in the following way:

41. “Our country is at war and our government has the obligation to protect the American people. Anything we do to that end in this effort, any activity we conduct, is within the law. We do not torture "

42. A New President  President Obama disagrees with the logic of the Bush administration.  Obama as well as many of his new national security appointees have said that what has been happening at Guantanamo Bay is torture, and it is illegal and it must stop.  With that, Obama signed an executive order closing Guantanamo Bay Prison within one year’s time.

43. “Today we are engaged in a deadly global struggle for those who would intimidate, torture, and murder people for exercising the most basic freedoms. If we are to win this struggle and spread those freedoms, we must keep our own moral compass pointed in a true direction.”

44. Laws Affecting Guantanamo Bay  Geneva Conventions: International Treaty signed by United States to protect the rights of prisoners of war.International Treaty signed by United States to protect the rights of prisoners of war.  Forces all sides in a war to treat prisoners “humanely.”  "No physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion shall be permitted.”  This is NOT U.S. law, but an international treaty signed by 194 countries around the world.  There has been debate over whether or not the people we capture in the war on terror are technically prisoners of war, however many have said that since al Qaeda is not a nation or an official army, we are not bound by the Geneva Conventions when dealing with them.

45. Laws Affecting Guantanamo Bay  Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Written to protect American citizens from having their rights abused when being accused of a crime.Written to protect American citizens from having their rights abused when being accused of a crime. Key Rights:Key Rights:  “No person shall be held to answer for a…crime, unless [presented with the indictment] of a Grand Jury” – You cannot be held without being charged.  “No person shall be [forced] in any criminal case to be a witness against himself”  “No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without [having their day in court” There has been debate about these statutes applying to Guantanamo Bay since it is technically not located on U.S. soil, and the people held there are not U.S. citizens.There has been debate about these statutes applying to Guantanamo Bay since it is technically not located on U.S. soil, and the people held there are not U.S. citizens.

46. Debate Time  In class we will be debating the closing of Guantanamo Bay Prison Camp.  This debate will require you to express your opinion about whether or not the United States should close their prison in Guantanamo Bay.  We will be playing the role of a “mock” senate, which means we will be debating and voting on a “bill” to close the prison.  You will be required to do any necessary background research to support your point.

47. Debate Time  A few key points: This is NOT a debate about torture. The “bill” we will debate does not say anything about torture. Torture may play a role in your discussions, however it is not the main point here.This is NOT a debate about torture. The “bill” we will debate does not say anything about torture. Torture may play a role in your discussions, however it is not the main point here. Do NOT hesitate to share your point of view. This debate will be conducted in such a way that EVERY student will have an opportunity to speak should the wish to. Use it!Do NOT hesitate to share your point of view. This debate will be conducted in such a way that EVERY student will have an opportunity to speak should the wish to. Use it!

48. How do I prepare for the debate?  You will be given a handout which you can use to organize your thoughts.  You must first decide which side of the issue you are on. There is no fence sitting: You cannot be in the middle, you must vote in favor or, or against the bill, so there is no “Well, I think we should close it, but I also think we shouldn’t…”  Organize your thoughts in a coherent way that will be clear when you speak. Know what you want to say before you say it!