1. Cuban Revolution

2. Background December 10, 1898 Cuba gained independence
Cuba wanted to be a republic and hold free elections.
Many Americans invested money in Cuba by buying plantations, sugar mills, hotels, and casinos
1952, Batista staged a coup d’ etat (military takeover). Batista took over the government and became leader.

3. What was the Cuban Revolution?
Fidel Castro was the leader of the Cuban Revolution.
His goal was to remove Batista from office.
Castro used Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare- small, mobile groups of non-government soldiers using tactics such as ambush, sabotage, spies, and deception to fight a larger government force such as an army or police force
Castro defeated Batista when he fled the country.
Castro became prime minister of Cuba in 1959.

4. Soon people found out Castro was NOT going to keep those promises
The world cheered for Castro because….
He promised free elections and free press.
He wanted more foreign investment in Cuba.
He would not take away private businesses.
Soon people found out Castro was NOT going to keep those promises

5. What impact did Castro coming to power have on Cuba’s government?
Castro did the following:
Took away land from foreign owners.
Took control of the telephone and utility services
Banned gambling and destroyed casinos
These things were owned by Americans and this made America very MAD
Castro declared himself a Communist so…..
Cuba became a Communist country

6. What impact did Castro coming to power have on US/Cuban relations?
The United States was not happy with Castro.
Cuban Missile Crisis- Soviet Union had missiles in Cuba pointed towards the U.S.
The U.S. broke off its relationship with Cuba and imposed a trade embargo.
The embargo is still in place today.

7. Many Cubans escaped Cuba and came to the U.S.
There are a lot of Cubans in Miami. It is only 90 miles from Cuba.
Many have even tried to swim to the U.S. from Cuba.
Cuban Exiles in Miami

8. What impact did Castro coming to power have on the rights of Cuban citizens?
Freedom was taken away
No free press Newspapers, radios, and television stations can not do and say as they please.
No free elections The Communist Party always wins.
Education and healthcare is free and controlled by the government.
Many citizens have fled to the United States for FREEDOM

9. What impact did Castro coming to power have on Cuba’s economy?
Government took control of business (Command Economy)
U.S. put an embargo on Cuba. It would not import or export anything from Cuba.
Cuba relied on the exportation of sugar
Economy suffered especially after the Soviet Union collapsed.
The Soviet Union imported and exported with Cuba.