1. History of
Modern Cuba
SS6H3a – Student will be able to explain the impact of the Cuban Revolution

2. The Spanish-American War: 1898
The Cuban “Melodrama”
For about 400 years Spain ruled Cuba. In 1898, the United States helped defeat Spain in Cuba’s struggle for independence.
The Spanish-American War: 1898

3. Remember the Maine! To Hxxx with Spain!
The United States battleship Maine was sent to Havanna harbor in 1898 to protect Americans due to fighting on the island. It was sunk by Spain. US declared war and won the battle in August 1898.

4. American Soldiers in Cuba in 19022
Spain gave up power and a US military government ruled the island until 1902.

5. Cuban “Independence?” Platt Amendment (1903) Senator Orville Platt
1. Cuba was not to enter into any agreements with foreign powers that would endanger its independence.
2. The U.S. could intervene in Cuban affairs if necessary to maintain an efficient, independent govt.
3. Cuba must lease Guantanamo Bay to the U.S. for naval and coaling station.
4. Cuba must not build up an excessive public debt.

6. Fulgencio Batista
Batista led a revolutionary group in 1933 which took control of the government. He ruled as a dictator until 1959 when he was overthrown by a young revolutionary named Fidel Castro.

7. Fidel Castro as a Young Revolutionary

8. What were some of Castro’s reforms?
Castro’s government claimed ownership of American owned businesses.
Farms, factories, and businesses owned by Cubans became government property.
Castro had all Batista supporters arrested (most executed by firing squad, some spent decades in prison).
Cubans no longer had the right to protest against the government.
Cuban newspapers, radio, and television were shutdown. Government became the source of all news.
Churches were closed, and all church property was taken by the government.

9. the United States responds and the Cold War heats up…..?1961
Because of these harsh events the United States placed an embargo on Cuban goods.
The Soviet Union became friends with Cuba…
* Bought Cuba’s sugarcane each year
* Supplied Cuba weapons and other goods to Cuba
* Soviet Union educated young Cubans
* Soviet Union trained Cuba’s military
United States did not allow travel by Americans to and from Cuba. It also tried to keep other countries from trading with Cuba.
* Cuba tried to spread Communism into Latin America

10. The Bay of Pigs Fiasco: 1961
In April 1961 Cuban exiles were promised direct military action, including air cover, to insure the success of an invasion. Instead JFK refused to send the aid (although he approved the invasion) and Castro’s forces crushed the invasion and captured most of the exiles. Exiles were later released in exchange for nonmilitary supplies …

11. The Bay of Pigs Fiasco: 1961

12. The US “Lays an Egg?”

13. Cuba is 90 Miles from the Florida Coast A Soviet “Client-State”

14. The Cuban Missile Crisis: October, 1962

15. Soviet-Cuban Construction

16. Soviet-Cuban Construction

17. Global Thermal Nuclear War?

18. Range of the Cuban Missiles

19. What’s the Message?
Identify the leaders in the above political cartoon. Describe the meaning of the cartoon in light of events in Cuba in 1962.

20. Cuban Exiles in Miami

21. The Cuban “Boat People” The Cuban Adjustment Act - 1966

22. The Refugee “Problem” Today
Analyze the political cartoon on the left. What symbols do you recognize? Determine the meaning based on the symbols represented and the countries mentioned in the caption.

23. Castro at the United Nations
US Embargo of Cuba

24. Fidel Castro Today
Fidel Castro is rarely seen in public these days. How do the pictures in recent years portray the communist leader?

25. The Cuban People Today
Under Castro’s rule the Cuban people have some benefits …
Hospitals and schools were improved.
Women and blacks became better educated and had better jobs
BUT>Most parts of people’s lives are controlled by the government
People who practiced their Christian religion were discriminated against.
Although everyone was guaranteed a wage the income of most Cubans was low.
Today, the country is one of the poorest in the region and its people live in one of the least free countries in the world