Fidel Castro

​CASTRO TAKES POWER IN CUBA

(1) Cuba's Fidel Castro seized power in 1959, when he and his supporters overthrew Cuba's existing government. Castro went on to rule Cuba until he stepped down from power in 2008 due to ill health. That year, he was replaced by his brother. ​

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(2) Move on to the NEXT SLIDE to read more about Fidel Castro and complete this short "Document Based Quiz" .. ​

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Open Ended

Should history judge Fidel Castro as a "Hero" or as a "Villain"? Watch the short 3 minute video and then type a short response stating your opinion to how history should judge Castro and explain why.

​TODAY the country of CUBA is considered a TOTALITARIAN COMMUNIST STATE...

Cuba is considered a totalitarian communist state that governs its people under the authoritarian rule of General Raul Castro, the younger brother to the country's former leader of nearly half a century, Fidel Castro. Because the Communist Party is recognized by the Cuban constitution as the ONLY legal political party, there is NO OPPORTUNITY for multiparty voices or elections like the ones we have in the United States. ​

GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE TO ANSWER A QUESTION... ​

Multiple Choice

What is the ONLY political party recognized by the Cuban constitution?

• Socialist

• Democratic

• Communist

• Whig

​LIFE UNDER SINGLE-PARTY AUTHORITARIAN RULE...

Under this single-party authoritarian rule, the people of Cuba regularly suffer injustices. Due Process, for instance, is often denied to Cuban citizens, especially in cases involving political offenses. *** An example of a "political offense" would be speaking out against the government *** In fact, the constitution itself states that civil liberties can be denied to anyone who opposes the "decision of the Cuban people to build socialism."

GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE TO ANSWER A QUESTION... ​

Fill in the Blanks

​CUBA ROUTINELY RESTRICTS FREEDOMS...

The Cuban government severly restricts freedom of speech and the press, and even goes so far as to block citizen access to independent web sites. The government also routinely prevents citizens from leaving the country or emigrating because of their political views. ​In contrast, democratic nations like the United States allow their citizens to freely leave and re-enter the country without hassle.

GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE TO ANSWER A QUESTION... ​

Multiple Select

Check all the freedoms listed below that the Cuban Government places severe restrictions on.

• Freedom of Speech

• Freedom of the Press

• Independent Web Sites

• The ability to leave the country

​Cuba Routinely Violates International Labor Standards.

The Cuban government repeatedly violates international labor standards. Workers are NOT allowed to join unions that advocate for workers. And what makes things worse is workers regularly lose their jobs for their political beliefs, and salaries are often not high enough to meet basic shelter, food, and clothing costs.

GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE TO ANSWER A QUESTION... ​

Multiple Select

(More than 1 correct answer)

Select ALL the true statements listed below in regards to labor issues in Cuba.

• Workers are NOT allowed to join unions that advocate for them.

• Workers regularly lose their jobs for expressing their political beliefs.

• High paying jobs with benefits are plentiful in Cuba.

• Salaries are often NOT high enough to meet basic shelter, food, & clothing costs.

​Could Change Occur in Cuba in the Near Future?

Although Cuba's government has been consistently oppressive for many decades, there is some hope that change is in the air. Demostrators BOTH in Cuba and the United States have become more vocal in recent years with the hope that political change is on the horizon. ​In recent years very large Cuban demonstrations calling for more freedoms and an end to oppression in Cuba have occurred in the city of Miami, Florida.

GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE TO ANSWER A QUESTION... ​

Multiple Choice

What is one city in America that has seen large demonstrations calling for an end to oppression in Cuba?

• Boston, MA

• Miami, FL

• San Diego, CA

• Austin, TX