Cuba Over the Years
The island of Cuba was first discovered by Europeans in 1492 during Columbus' second voyage. The native people were quickly conquered by the Spanish and their population was decimated in a matter of years. Spanish settlements were formed as a means to export gold and organize expeditions to the mainland. What little profit there was to make from the gold mines was exhausted quickly, but the Spanish soon discovered Cuba's potential in agriculture. The island's ability to supply sugarcane, tobacco, coffee, corn, and numerous other resources made it thrive economically. By the mid 18th century, Cuba had a population of nearly 1,300,000 people.
Slaves were brought into Cuba from Africa to work the land. The abundance of slaves altered both the population and the culture of Cuba, and made the economy thrive. Seeing Cuba’s worth, other nations tried to take the island, but ultimately Spain maintained control. Slavery existed in the country until 1886 when it was finally abolished.
Spain ruled over Cuba until the United States defeated them in 1898. The U.S. eventually gave Cuba its independence, but still had the gave Cuba military protection and had the ability to intervene in Cuban affairs under the Platt Amendment.
From then on, Cuba essentially acted as its own country. Its government saw a series of different leaders, but most were did not act in the country’s best interest. Years went by with Cuba either under a dictatorship or an oppressive and corrupt government. In 1959, Fidel Castro led a revolution against the current leader Fulgencio Battista and became Cuba’s prime minister.
Since Castro’s rule, American ties in Cuban affairs has been eliminated. Cuba became a Communist country and allied itself with the USSR. Tension arose between the United States, Cuba, and the USSR, and during the Cold War the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred. Fortunately the countries were able to come to terms and remove the nuclear missile sites both in Cuba and in Turkey, but tension still exists. However since the fall of the USSR, the United States has little to fear from Cuba, as the country’s dependence on the fallen nation has led them into a fragile economy. With Cuba in current financial situation and the uncertainty of who will lead the country in the coming years, Cuba’s future is in a state of uncertainty.
Slaves were brought into Cuba from Africa to work the land. The abundance of slaves altered both the population and the culture of Cuba, and made the economy thrive. Seeing Cuba’s worth, other nations tried to take the island, but ultimately Spain maintained control. Slavery existed in the country until 1886 when it was finally abolished.
Spain ruled over Cuba until the United States defeated them in 1898. The U.S. eventually gave Cuba its independence, but still had the gave Cuba military protection and had the ability to intervene in Cuban affairs under the Platt Amendment.
From then on, Cuba essentially acted as its own country. Its government saw a series of different leaders, but most were did not act in the country’s best interest. Years went by with Cuba either under a dictatorship or an oppressive and corrupt government. In 1959, Fidel Castro led a revolution against the current leader Fulgencio Battista and became Cuba’s prime minister.
Since Castro’s rule, American ties in Cuban affairs has been eliminated. Cuba became a Communist country and allied itself with the USSR. Tension arose between the United States, Cuba, and the USSR, and during the Cold War the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred. Fortunately the countries were able to come to terms and remove the nuclear missile sites both in Cuba and in Turkey, but tension still exists. However since the fall of the USSR, the United States has little to fear from Cuba, as the country’s dependence on the fallen nation has led them into a fragile economy. With Cuba in current financial situation and the uncertainty of who will lead the country in the coming years, Cuba’s future is in a state of uncertainty.
Cuba and America
Platt Amendment
1895-1898: The United States declares war on Spain. The Spanish are defeated and gives up all claims to Cuba to the United States.
1902: Cuba is given independence. However, under the Platt Amendment, Cuba is still under US protection and the US has the right to intervene in Cuban affairs
1959: Fidel Castro leads a revolution against the corrupt government under Battista. He becomes prime minister, and his brother is second in demand. The United States is essentially cut off of Cuban affairs and Cuba becomes a Communist state.
1962: The Cuban Missile Crisis occurs, causing unrest between America and Cuba. Castro permits the USSR to deploy nuclear missiles. The United States comes to terms with the USSR, removing their nuclear missile in Turkey in exchange for the USSR’s removal of the nuclear missiles in Cuba
1902: Cuba is given independence. However, under the Platt Amendment, Cuba is still under US protection and the US has the right to intervene in Cuban affairs
1959: Fidel Castro leads a revolution against the corrupt government under Battista. He becomes prime minister, and his brother is second in demand. The United States is essentially cut off of Cuban affairs and Cuba becomes a Communist state.
1962: The Cuban Missile Crisis occurs, causing unrest between America and Cuba. Castro permits the USSR to deploy nuclear missiles. The United States comes to terms with the USSR, removing their nuclear missile in Turkey in exchange for the USSR’s removal of the nuclear missiles in Cuba
1991: After the collapse of the USSR, soviet military advisers leave. Cuba, without the aid of the former USSR, begins to see economic hardship
More Info
For more information on Cuba's history, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/1203355.stm