CubaWorld Studies

Basics of CubaGEOGRAPHY OF CUBA

MAJOR RESOURCES/ EXPORTS OF CUBA

Large island in the Caribbean

Tropical climate Capital is Havana 11 million people 99.8% Literacy Rate 77.6 Life Expectancy

Nickel Sugarcane Tobacco

Pre-Colonial Cuba Cuba was inhabited

by native tribes (Taino/ Arawak, Ciboney, Guanajatabey)

Natives migrated from North, Central, and South American over the previous centuries.

Imperialism in CubaTIME LINE IMPACT OF IMPERIALISM

Cuba was claimed in the name of Spain in 1492 by Christopher Columbus.

Cuba remained in Spanish control until 1898 (about 400 years), when the U.S. gained Cuba as a result of the Spanish-American War.

Cuba gained independence from U.S. in 1902.

Spread of European culture (religion, language)

Enslavement of natives who refused to convert to Christianity

Spread of disease leads to death

African slaves brought to Cuba to work

Cuba and the Cold War Following WWII, the Cold War between the U.S. and

USSR took place on a global level. During the 1940’s, the Cuban government started

to move towards communism under Fulgencio Batista.

Following the Cuban Revolution (1959) under the leadership of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, Cuba moved rapidly towards communism and allied itself with the Soviet Union.

This led to conflict with the United States, including the Bay of Pigs invasion, Cuban Missile crisis, and an trade embargo that is still in place today.