Issues in Modern Latin America

Issues in Modern Latin America

The Cuban Revolution, and Afterward

Starting in the 1800s, independence movements sprang up around Latin America. The former colonies in Latin America wanted to break free from European rule for many reasons. The European governments had given them little say in how their countries were run. Colonists wanted to make their own political and economic decisions.

The Cuban Revolution, and Afterward

In the Spanish-American War of 1898, Cuba gained independence from Spain. Then Cuba stayed under U.S. control for a few years. The United States helped establish a new government and set up a military base on Guantánamo Bay, which is still operating today.

Then, for 50 years, Cuba went through a series of political leaders. Some were elected and some took over as dictators. Even though the country of Cuba was very wealthy, most of the people were extremely poor. Most Cubans were constantly angry with their government.

The Cuban Revolution, and Afterward

In the late 1950s, a young lawyer named Fidel Castro led a group of rebels against the corrupt Cuban government of dictator Fulgencio Batista. In the Cuban Revolution the rebels eventually defeated Batista’s army and took over the government early in 1959. They set up a Communist government and immediately pushed through reforms in the government and the courts.

Multiple Choice

Latin American revolutions started because the people wanted to control plantations and silver mines.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Latin American populations revolted against European rule.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Cuba escaped from Spanish rule in 1898.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

In the first few decades after independence, Cubans were usually unhappy with their political leaders.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Fulgencio Batista led the 1959 revolution against the government of Fidel Castro.

• True

• False

How Castro Used His Power

Fidel Castro came to power during the Cold War. This was a period of conflict between two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union. Castro decided to ally Cuba with the Soviet Union. He began to trade weapons, as well as food and goods, with the Soviets. This led to strained relations between the United States and Cuba. In 1962, a major incident erupted when the Soviets put missiles on Cuba that could have reached the United States. The Soviets removed the missiles, but not before fear spread across the world of a possible war.

How Castro Used His Power

Castro’s regime controlled all of the governmental, economic, and educational activity on Cuba. The government took over businesses—even those owned by the United States—and media on the island. Laws were passed limiting citizens’ freedoms of speech, the press, assembly, and religion. While poor people supported Castro’s policies because their healthcare and education improved, people who had been successful felt like he stole from them.

How Castro Used His Power

Many Cubans who complained or protested against Castro were killed or put in prison. Hundreds of thousands of them fled Cuba for the United States, where a large Cuban American population thrives in Florida today.

Multiple Choice

The Cuban government set up 1959 was a parliamentary democracy.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

“The only reason for the Soviets to put missiles on Cuba is to start a war with the United States!”

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

“I have less freedom to speak my mind since the Castro government took over.”

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

“Our children go to a better school since Fidel Castro took power.”

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

“The Castro government had no right to take our family’s store. One day, this government will fall.”

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

“The Castro government has its faults, but it is better than the Bautista government.”

• Fact

• Opinion

U.S.-Cuba Hostilities Gradually Fade

The United States cut off all diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961. For more than 40 years, the two countries had a poor relationship. Cuban-Americans insisted the United States should not recognize Cuba as long as Castro was in power.

U.S.-Cuba Hostilities Gradually Fade

Gradually, things began to change. In 1991, Castro lost an important ally and trading partner when the Soviet Union broke apart. Then food shortages became a real problem. In the United States, public opinion began to move in favor of a normal relationship in hopes it would help Cuba recover.

U.S.-Cuba Hostilities Gradually Fade

In 2008, Raúl Castro, Fidel’s brother, took over the Cuban government when Fidel became too ill to lead. The United States restored full diplomatic relations with Cuba in 2014 and began allowing travel to the island, although a U.S. trade embargo remained. In 2016, President Barack Obama became the first American president to visit Cuba since 1928. Later that year, Fidel Castro died.

Multiple Choice

“The rebellion is getting stronger! I worry that the government troops will not be able to fight them off much longer and I will be overthrown as Cuba’s leader!”

• Fidel Castro

• Fulgencio Batista

• U.S. Senator

• poor Cuban citizen

Multiple Choice

“We hope that having a military base in Cuba will help keep peace in the region.”

• Fidel Castro

• Fulgencio Batista

• U.S. Senator

• poor Cuban citizen

Multiple Choice

“I am gathering rebel fighters from all over Cuba. We hide in the jungle. We hide in the mountains. We attack against the government army when they least expect it!”

• Fidel Castro

• Fulgencio Batista

• U.S. Senator

• poor Cuban citizen

Multiple Choice

“I see so much wealth in this country but I have no job. I live in a hut with a dirt floor. I am sick and tired of these dictators controlling the people of Cuba!”

• Fidel Castro

• Fulgencio Batista

• U.S. Senator

• poor Cuban citizen

Multiple Choice

“The only reason for the Soviets to put missiles on Cuba is to start a war with the United States!”

• Fact

• Opinion

No Trade with Cuba

In 1959, Cuba fell under the rule of the Communist party led by Fidel Castro. At the time, the United States had pledged to stop the spread of Communism. The United States took swift economic action, banning all American trade to Cuba. It also prohibited U.S. investment in Cuban businesses and forbade U.S. tourists from traveling to Cuba. 

No Trade with Cuba

Although close neighbors, the United States and Cuba have not been full trade partners for more than 50 years. This restriction on trade has greatly impacted the small island nation. Without trade with the U.S. (and some of its allies), Cuba’s economy has fallen behind many other Latin American nations. Its factories are inefficient, and its technology is outdated. Cuba’s people have suffered, too. By American standards, many Cubans live in poverty. Lack of trade has limited their food supply. Most Cubans do not have access to new cars, computers, cell phones, or the Internet. Their houses and businesses are slowly crumbling from disrepair.

No Trade with Cuba

In early 2015, President Obama and Congress began talks to lift the ban on trade with Cuba. Since then, both countries have worked to re-open trade, travel, and investment.

Multiple Choice

Which type of barrier to trade is similar to the economic term “tax”?

• tariff

• quota

• embargo

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a reason a government might set a quota on foreign goods?

• to protect its own natural resources

• to encourage investment in human capital

• to protect its own businesses from competition

Multiple Choice

The United States’ ban on trade with Cuba is an example of which type of trade barrier?

• tariff

• quota

• embargo