Cuba

Platt Amendment An amendment added to the new Cuban constitution after the Spanish-American War that attempted to protect Cuba’s independence from foreign intervention it allowed extensive US involvement in Cuba Ex: Guantanamo Bay It was repealed in 1934

Good Neighbor Policy Foreign Policy of the US towards Latin America created by FDR: “In the field of World policy, I would dedicate this nation to the policy of the good neighbor, the neighbor who resolutely respects himself and, because he does so, respects the rights of others” main principle was “non-intervention” and “non-interference” with LA the US wanted to engage in reciprocal trade agreements, create new economic opportunities this policy ended with the start of the Cold War

The Cold War and Latin America During the Cold War nations were grouped in to 3 “worlds” Third World: developing nations who weren’t aligned with either superpower, “nonaligned” US and Soviet Union tried to gain influence in these regions by: backed armed conflicts used CIA or KGB for spying or assassinations gave monetary aid

Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution In the 1950s Cuba was led by unpopular dictator, Fulgencio Batista January 1959 a popular revolution, led by Fidel Castro, was successful At first people liked Castro for bringing social reform Soon Castro became a harsh dictator, suspended elections, controlled the press

Che Guevara: He was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary He helped Castro overthrow Batista, served as military advisor 1966 tried to incite revolution in Bolivia, was captured and killed by the army since death he has become legendary political figure

Bay of Pigs Castro nationalized the Cuban economy: took over US- owned sugar mills and refineries In response, Eisenhower ordered an embargo on all trade with Cuba, so Castro turned to Soviets for aid 1960 the CIA began to train anti-Castro Cuban exiles April 1961 they invaded Cuba at the Bay of Pigs: Castro easily defeated them=humiliating for US

Nuclear Face-Off: The Cuban Missile Crisis Failed Bay of Pigs convinced Soviet Leader Nikita Khrushchev that the US couldn’t resist Soviet expansion in LA July 1962 SU began secretly building 42 missile sites in Cuba Oct 1962 US spy planes discovered sites, JFK demanded removal of missiles and announced naval blockade of Cuba Ppl feared nuclear war! Khrushchev agreed to remove missiles in exchange for US promise not to invade Cuba

Since then… 1991 Soviet aid abruptly ended with breakup of Soviet Union=crippled Cuban economy Since then Castro has loosened state control of Cuba’s economy and sought better relations with other countries 2008: Fidel’s brother Raul took over