Standard SS6H3:
The student will analyze
th
important 20 century issues in
Latin America and the
Caribbean.
a. Explain the impact of Cuban
Revolution.
20th Century Issue # 1:
THE CUBAN REVOLUTION
Cuba
is an
island nation.
It is located
90 miles from
Florida.
During the 20th century
In
Cuba, the political
leaders came to power and
were often thrown out by
other leaders.
The situation was unstable.
Before the Revolution
American
companies traded
with Cuba and owned land in
Cuba.
Most of Cuba’s sugar cane
crop was sold to the United
States.
Sugar Cane
BATISTA
Batista was elected
president for 1 term.
 In 1952 (several
years after he was no
longer in office) he
overthrew the
president and made
himself dictator.
 As dictator he ruled
with no controls on
his power.

The
people did not like
Batista because there
was much poverty, no
healthcare, and no
education.
In
1959, Fidel Castro led
a revolt against Batista.
Many Cubans joined
Castro because Batista
was so unpopular.
Fidel
Castro became the
dictator of Cuba in 1959.
He organized a
communist government.
Because of communist rule…



Castro seized (took
control of) all property
in Cuba belonging to
Americans.
All farms, businesses,
and factories belonging
to Cubans became
government property.
All supporters of Batista
were executed or
imprisoned.
Personal freedoms were lost
Cubans could not
protest against the
government.
 All newspapers, radio,
and television were
shut down or became
government
controlled.
 Churches were closed
and the church
properties were taken
by the government.

Reaction of the United States
The United States placed an embargo on
Cuban goods.
 Embargo- an order from the government
that does not allow trade with a specific
country
 An embargo is a trade barrier.
 The U.S. would no longer buy Cuban
sugar cane.

Why might cars, bikes, etc. look
like this in present day Cuba?
 Cuba
and the United States severed
all ties—no trading or traveling
between the two countries.
 Castro’s communist government and
the United States do not get along AT
ALL.
 The United States does not like
having a communist country so close
to Florida.
Cuba and The Soviet Union
 Cuba
aligned itself with the Soviet
Union (USSR).
 USSR began to trade with and
support Cuba.
 USSR supplied Cuba with weapons
and trained their military.
Nuclear Weapons
were sent to Cuba.
CUBA UNDER CASTRO
Most everything was and still is “dictated”
or controlled by the GOVERNMENT.
 However, health care and education were
improved.
 More than 1 million people left Cuba in the
first 3 years after the Cuban Revolution.
 Thousands of other Cubans have left the
islands in the years since Castro seized
power.

CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS
Remember this was one
of the hotspots of the
Cold War between the
United States and the
Soviet Union.
 In 1962, Cuba allowed
the Soviets to place
missiles (aimed at the
U.S.) in their country.
 This was an extremely
tense time that almost
started a nuclear war.

Cuban Missile Crisis
Bay of Pigs “Incident/Invasion”

This was an unsuccessful attempt by a CIAtrained force of Cuban exiles to invade Cuba
with support from U.S. government armed
forces, to overthrow the Cuban government of
Fidel Castro.
Bay of Pigs “Incident/Invasion”


The plan was launched
in April 1961, less than
3 months after John F.
Kennedy became
president of the U.S.A.
The Cuban Armed
Forces, trained by
Eastern Bloc nations
(Communist), defeated
the exile combatants in
3 days.
U.S. President J.F. Kennedy demanded the
missiles be removed.
 Finally the Soviets removed the missiles
and the U.S. did not invade Cuba.
 There was no war.

CUBA TODAY
There is still an embargo on goods from
Cuba.
 Fidel Castro is in poor health and possibly
has cancer.
 In 2008 he appointed his brother, Raul
Castro to be the head of state in Cuba.
 The country is still communist.

1.Who took over as dictator of
Cuba in 1959?
2. What type of government did
Castro create in Cuba?
3. What was one reaction the
U.S. had to Cuba taking over
property owned by Americas?
4. Which country helped Castro
build Cuba into a Communist
country?
5. What almost caused a
nuclear war between the
United States and U.S.S.R.?
th
20
Century Issue #2
Mexican Zapatistas
Standard:
Explain
the impact and political outcomes
of the Zapatista guerilla movement in
Mexico.
Zapatistas = Armed Mexican
Revolutionary Group.
 The Zapatistas are a group of
Mexicans who support improved
rights and living conditions for
indigenous Mexicans.
 They have been known for
harassment and sabotage
against the government.
On
January 1, 1994, the
North American Free
Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) came into
effect.
This was an agreement
to allow free trade
between Canada, Mexico,
and the U.S.
Some
people in Mexico did
not like this plan.
They thought that NAFTA
would allow cheap farm
goods to come into Mexico
from the U.S. and put small
farmers out of work.
On the day NAFTA took
effect, Zapatistas took
over several towns.
 The
army was sent in to remove
the Zapatistas.
 The fighting lasted for several
days.
 Agreements between the
Zapatistas and the government
have not solved the problems.
 Zapatistas still claim Mexicans
need improved health care,
housing, education and jobs.
Slogan:
“Everything for everyone
and nothing for ourselves.”
Write down
the answers to
the following
questions:
1. The Zapatistas did not like NAFTA
because they believed it would
A. Mean U.S. factories would move to
Mexico.
B. Force Mexicans to move to the U.S.
C. Hurt businesses in Canada and the
U.S.
D. Cause poor Mexican farmers to go
out of business.
2. Which group do the
Zapatistas support?
A. Canadian farmers
B. U.S. factory workers
C. Indigenous people of Mexico
D. Poor farmers in North
America
3. Which is an area of concern
for the Zapatistas?
A. Acid rain
B. Deforestation
C. Housing
D. Religion
4. What did the Zapatistas do to show they were
against NAFTA?
a. Attacked government troops in Mexico
City
b. Took over several towns in southern
Mexico
c. Formed friendships with groups in other
countries with similar goals
d. Worked with the government on
agreements to improve the rights of poor
Mexicans
What is NAFTA again?
NAFTA = North American
Free Trade Agreement
The countries include:
Canada, United States,
and Mexico
NAFTA Goals:
Free
trade among its members
Improve working conditions
Reduce pollution
Create consistent
environmental law regulations