1. Cuban Revolution

2. What is the purpose of a revolution?

3. Castro and Hitler

4. Cuban Revolution Notes TopicNotes America’s Relationship with Cuba Causes of the Revolution The Revolution Effects of the Revolution Other Facts…

6. Colonial Influence Spain colonized Cuba Brought over many slaves Sugar is the main crop Gained independence from Spain in 1898 as a result of the Spanish American War

7. American Influence When Spain left Cuba, America “took over” The US controlled Cuba until 1902, at this time they made a naval base on Guantanamo Bay The US was Cuba’s #1 trading partner Many Americans traveled to Cuba and it was known as the playground of America

8. Revolution - Causes Fulgencio Batista was elected President of Cuba in 1940 He was a dictator and did away with their constitution Many Cubans did not like Batista because there were few with great wealth (sugar plantation owners) and many who were poor They felt that America was still in control of Cuba

9. Revolution – What Happened 1956 – Fidel Castro and others began a guerilla war in the mountains of Cuba, he was unsuccessful 1959 – Castro and 9,000 guerillas march into Havana and fight the Cuban Army Castro overthrows Batista and becomes the leader of Cuba Castro promises to restore all things Batista did away with, brings communism to Cuba

11. Revolution - Effects Castro took over all things in Cuba even newspapers, tv, and radio Many who were wealthy fled to the US Castro became a dictator He established a command economy and a Communist government Most Cubans have little personal and political freedom

12. US- Cuba Relations : Fuel to the Fire? Castro hated the US and all it stands for US placed an embargo on Cuba – did not have much effect on them Bay of Pigs Invasion – unsuccessful attempt to overthrow Castro – made Castro more popular Cuban Missile Crisis – almost caused nuclear war Guantanamo Bay – gave Castro a reason to openly hate Americans and remind Cubans of their influence in Cuba

17. Cuba Loses a Friend  In 1991, Castro lost an important ally and trading partner when the Soviet Union broke apart. Ally- a friendly nation who provides cooperation and assistance.

19. Let’s Get Out of Here! Cuba’s economy suffered when the Soviet Union stopped supporting it, and it still struggles today including things like food shortages from time to time. Since 1959, many Cubans have secretly escaped from Cuba by boat.

24. Video Clips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy qJkhGofGY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N S-jsyX35po

25. 1. Since Fidel came into power, do you think the average Cuban has more or less freedoms? 2. What is the United States relationship like with Cuba today? 3. What was the Cuban Revolution?