Chapter 15 Section 1
Cuba
Clinging to Communism
Geographically speaking, Cuba is located in the
Caribbean Sea.
Cuba can be found at the seat or entrance to
the Gulf of Mexico.
Cuba’s economy is based on sugar plantations
Before communism, during the time of United States
intervention, resorts were a popular method of income.
Presently, Cuba’s economy is under strict government
control of Communism
Cuba’s history
includes being a
colony of Spain.
Cuba, a tropical paradise was one of the richest countries in the Caribbean at
one time.
Cuba won its independence from Spain after the United
States won the Spanish American War in 1898.
Fidel Castro helped overthrow the Batista regime by 1959, and
remained in power up to recently.
The Soviets sent military
equipment and advisors to aid
Cuba.
In the early 1960s, Cuba became an ally of the
Soviet Union.
The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred between the U.S and
the Soviets, in 1962.
The Cuban Missile Crisis nearly
brought the world to the brink of war
The Cuban Missile Crisis resulted in
many Cubans fleeing Cuba to the safety of
the United States, with a great many landing in Florida.
Fidel Castro led a successful rebellion, which took over Cuba’s government, but Castro’s form of government was no better than Batista’s..
He took over businesses and demanded books and newspapers only print stories which supported his government.
Fulgencio Batista, top rightFidel Castro, bottom right
Communism is a type of economy which has the government owning all
the country’s businesses and all its land
Although there were many things wrong with Castro’s
rule, he did help the country in some ways.
When Castro took over Cuba, many of his people were illiterate, which means they could not read or write. He sent many teachers to the countryside and today Cuba’s literacy rate has improved greatly,to nearly 100%.His government also provides basic health care for all its people, which is something even the United States does not have.
Because of Castro’s strict rule, many Cubans left their home country to live in
exile.