Don’t forget your quiz: Vocab, physical geography, and the map A-Day: Friday B-Day: Monday

Comparing Cuba and Puerto Rico

Vocabulary Dictators – leaders with complete control Commonwealth – a nation that governs itself but is part of a larger country

Cuba’s Path to the 21 st Century Cuba and Puerto Rico were both settled by the Spanish in their conquest for riches and to set up plantations Spain ruled Cuba as a colony from 1511 to 1898 Havana, the capital, was set up as a stop for ships before heading across the Atlantic Ocean Cubans wanted their freedom and tried rebelling several times, and failed Independence was finally gained in 1898

Cuba’s Path…. The United States defeating Spain in the Spanish-American War is what lead to Cuban Independence The US military occupied Cuba and controlled the country’s economy Many of their leaders were corrupt In 1959, Fidel Castro overthrew the government and took control, setting up a communist government Castro took over businesses and made close friends with the Soviet Union, who was then an enemy of the US The US cut all ties with Cuba until just recently

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Like Cuba, Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony until 1898 with the same economic set up as Cuba Many failed rebellions took place The US sent troops to Puerto Rico in the Spanish-American War for military and economic interests After the war, the island became a US territory, and residents were given US citizenship in 1917 For many years Puerto Ricans worked for more freedom from the US, gaining commonwealth status in 1952

Puerto Rico Unlike Cuba, Puerto Ricans have political freedom Also have free enterprise economy The government is working towards moving the island from an agricultural to manufacturing type of economy