1. World Studies

2. GEOGRAPHY OF CUBA MAJOR RESOURCES/ EXPORTS OF CUBA  Large island in the Caribbean  Tropical climate  Capital is Havana  11 million people  99.8% Literacy Rate  77.6 Life Expectancy  Nickel  Sugarcane  Tobacco

7.  Cuba was inhabited by native tribes (Taino/ Arawak, Ciboney, Guanajatabey)  Natives migrated from North, Central, and South American over the previous centuries.

8. TIME LINEIMPACT OF IMPERIALISM  Cuba was claimed in the name of Spain in 1492 by Christopher Columbus.  Cuba remained in Spanish control until 1898 (about 400 years), when the U.S. gained Cuba as a result of the Spanish-American War.  Cuba gained independence from U.S. in 1902.  Spread of European culture (religion, language)  Enslavement of natives who refused to convert to Christianity  Spread of disease leads to death  African slaves brought to Cuba to work

9.  Following WWII, the Cold War between the U.S. and USSR took place on a global level.  During the 1940’s, the Cuban government started to move towards communism under Fulgencio Batista.  Following the Cuban Revolution (1959) under the leadership of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, Cuba moved rapidly towards communism and allied itself with the Soviet Union.  This led to conflict with the United States, including the Bay of Pigs invasion, Cuban Missile crisis, and an trade embargo that is still in place today.