1. By: John Collins

2. Revolution Leader Fidel Castro Breaks Ties with U.S. and Allies Himself with the Soviet Union Initially the United States was an ally with Cuba, and thought that they were fully democratic, until Fidel Castro broke that trust

3. Revolution Leader Fidel Castro Breaks Ties with U.S. and Allies Himself with the Soviet Union Castro created military tribunals for anyone that faced him. He disavowed Cuba’s 1952 military pact with the U.S. U.S. broke relations with Cuba January 3, 1961.

4. Bay of Pigs Disaster A mission planned by President Eisenhower and his administration was ordered into action by President John Kennedy April 17, 1961.

5. Bay of Pigs Disaster The mission included Cuban exiles that were to invade Cuba. The exiles did not gain Cuban support and were repulsed by Cuban Military.

6. Soviet-Missile Crisis What provoked this crisis, was the soviets attempt to have missiles in Cuba, capable of striking the U.S.

7. Soviet-Missile Crisis President Kennedy retaliated with a U.S. blockade of Cuba to stop the missile delivery. Soviet leader then ordered missiles to be returned.

8. Poor Health Castro Announces His Retirement At 81 years old, seventeen months after his emergency intestinal surgery, Castro stated that he was not healthy enough to campaign in upcoming elections.

9. In Poor Health Castro Announces His Retirement In February 2008, Fidel Castro ended 49 years, that started with a revolution that he ruled in 1959.

10. Cubans Begin to Win Small Freedoms In July 2008, the Government decided to not be as hard on private farmers in an effort to help the countries food production and reduce dependence on imports.

11. Cubans Begin to Win Small Freedoms In March 2009, U.S. congress voted to repeal restrictions on Cuban-Americans visiting Havana and sending money into the Country. In July 2010 Fidel Castro stated he planned to release 52 political prisoners.

12. Cuba Takes Possible Steps toward a New Leader Not Named Castro On April 19, 2011 Jose Ramon Machado filled the second-highest position in the communist party.

13. Cuba Takes Possible Steps toward a New Leader Not Named Castro In October 2011, rules in Cuba became a little less strict. Citizens were now able to: Buy and sell cars, and real estate Go into business themselves

14. Pope Makes Long-Awaited Visit March 26, 2012 was when the pope visited Cuba. The visit happened due to years of tension between the government and the church

15. Pope Makes Long-Awaited Visit Benedict preached about Cuba becoming a free nation. About 200,000 people were in Santiago de Cuba to attend this mass. Many attendees said employers and Communist Party members pressured them to attend.

16. Exit Visa Requirement is Dropped On October 16,2012, the Cuban government announced they would no longer have to have an exit visa when leaving the country.

17. Exit Visa Requirement is Dropped The policy now allows Cubans to leave the country on vacations or forever. Cubans now only need a passport and visa from country of their destination.

18. Cuba Resumes Diplomatic Relations with U.S. Alan Gross, a U.S. aid contractor Alan Gross, was released by Cuba December 17, 2014. In response to this release, President Obama announced the U.S. would resume full diplomatic relations with Cuba.

19. Cuba Resumes Diplomatic Relations with U.S. In December of 2014 the ban for Americans traveling to Cuba was lifted. In April of 2015, John Kerry (U.S. Secretary of State) and Bruno Rodriguez (Cuban Foreign Minister) met in Panama. This was biggest meeting in more than a half a century.

20. How might the relationship between Cuba and the U.S. be changing? In your opining, is this good or bad? The relationship between Cuba and the U.S. is changing for the best. One more last step may be needed, like the U.S. freeing Cuba from the Economic Embargo they have on them.

21. How might the relationship between Cuba and the U.S. be changing? In your opining, is this good or bad? The U.S. and Cuba becoming closer is a great step because it will help both countries economically, and politically.

22. Works Cited Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, n.d. Web. 01 June 2015. "Cuba off Terrorism List - CNNPolitics.com." CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 01 June 2015.