2.  ONE OF THE ORIGINAL SPANISH COLONIES

3.  A civil war was raging in Cuba between the Spanish government and Cubans.  The United States felt that the Spanish were violating the human rights of the Cubans as they attempted to separate the rebels from the non-combatants by locking up its citizens in camps so then only the rebels would be in the countryside.

4.  The United States sent the Battleship Maine to send a message to the Spanish and to protect US citizens.  The Maine mysteriously exploded in Havana Harbor.  The United States blamed the Spanish and invaded Cuba.  The United States won the war and declared Cuba free and allowed them to form their own government (After we governed it for three years).

5.  The United States maintains close ties to Cuba and economically assists in their development 1902 – 1956.  Many including the government, welcomed the U.S. involvement in the economy but many felt that Cuba would be better off without the American presence in Cuba

6.  (1956) Fidel Castro leads a successful revolution against the U.S. -supported government of Cuba and establishes a government, supported by the Soviet Union.

7.  There were many conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union concerning Cuba.

8.  Bay of Pigs (1962): The United States supported Cuban nationals (those who left Cuba when Castro took power) who were attempting to over-throw the Castro government. It failed, making the USA look very bad.

9.  Currently, we have economic sanctions against the Cuban government. For example, Cuba is famous for their cigars, but they are illegal to import into the U.S. to sell.

10.  Fidel Castro has recently relinquished power to his brother Raul Castro due to his poor health and aging.