Cuban History:
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Monument to independence fighter Antonio Maceo, Santiago de Cuba.
Cuba has certainly had a very momentous history. Beginning in
1492, when Christopher Columbus happened onto the island, and continuing to
the present day, the island has had a major role in the history of the western
hemisphere. It was the preferred place of many of the Spanish conquistadors,
and Cortéz used Cuba as the staging ground for his conquest of Mexico.
The Spanish continued to dominate the island until 1898, when a new power descended
over Cuba: the United States.
Think about these questions before you begin:
- Many people in the U.S. became interested in Cuba in the 1800s and saw
it as part of the "manifest destiny" of the United States. The manifest
destiny also included the western territories of the Native Americans, Texas,
and Mexico [California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, etc.]. Based on this
brief amount of information, what was the main goal or "destiny"
of the U.S. in the 1800s?
- Why would U.S. corporations, such as Dole, Chiquita or Central Soya, have
great interest in Cuba?
- Which of these films takes place in Cuba: the Godfather pt. 2, Dance with
Me, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Mask of Zorro, and Dirty Dancing?
- How long do you think Fidel Castro has been in power? (a) 1 -10 yrs. (b)
11 - 20 yrs. (c) 21 - 30 yrs. (d) 31 - 40 yrs. (e) 41 yrs. or more [hint:
there have been 10 men serve as U.S. President since Castro came
to power]
- Name two famous world events involving the U.S. and Cuba.
- The trade policy of the U.S. toward Cuba is that of an "economic embargo."
What does this mean to you?
- What was the "Cold War"? Which two major world powers were on
opposing sides?
- Which Cuban boy became famous in 2000?