Cuba Located only 90 miles south of the

Cuba Located only 90 miles south of the U. S.

Cuba’s Economy • Before the late 1950’s: 1) Most of Cuba’s sugarcane crop was sold to U. S. 2) American businesses owned land traded with Cuba

Cuba’s Old Government • Democratically elected but later made himself a dictator • Most Cubans suffered poverty, poor education, and healthcare Fulgencio Batista Slums in Havana

Cuban Revolution • 1959 • Batista vs. Castro • Revolution means change • Fidel Castro defeats Batista VS. Fidel Castro

Government Under Castro Ø Castro makes himself dictator Ø Organizes country into a communist government Ø American property taken by the government

Government Under Castro • “At the beginning of 1959 United States companies owned about 40 percent of the Cuban sugar lands—almost all the cattle ranches— 90 percent of the mines and mineral concessions— 80 percent of the utilities— practically all the oil industry—and supplied two-thirds of Cuba's imports”

Communist Government Ø Farms, factories, and businesses now owned by the Government Ø Newspapers, radio, and television stations closed Ø Churches closed Cathedral of Havana

Communist Government • Supporters of Batista arrested and executed • Others spend decades in prison • U. S. responds to new government

Results of Cuban Revolution • U. S. puts an Embargo on Cuba • Cuba turns to Soviet Union for support • Soviet Union buys sugarcane from Cuba and supplies Cuba with weapons

Cuban Missile Crisis • Cuban Missile Crisis (1962): Soviet Union placed nuclear weapons in Cuba making Nuclear War possible • Soviet union also trained Cuba’s military • Part of the Cold War

Results of Cuban Revolution Positives Negatives • Hospitals improved • Women and blacks became better educated and had better jobs • Lives controlled by the government • Christian religion discriminated against • Low wages

U. S. /Cuba Relations 1) Embargo still exists 2) Cubans are allowed to send money from U. S. back to Cuba 3) U. S. restricts travel to Cuba Castro in Washington D. C.