In the 1950s, many Americans viewed Cuba as “simply

paradise”.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27747927@N00/2830612461

http://www.arkivatropika.com/images/pictures/1108_large.JPG

http://cruiselinehistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/cce00001.jpg

Havana Riviera Hotel

http://www.cubaheritage.org/images/art/havana-casino.jpg

http://www.mediamanageress.com/cuba/hotels/photos/hotel-riviera-pool-200.jpg

But, this perception was far from reality for the majority of Cubans prior to the Revolution

Source: Evans, Walker. Cuba

Cuban family eating from a breadline.Source: Evans, Walker. Cuba

The Reality of what many Cubans Experienced in the 1950s

• Many Cubans owned little to no farm land.

• There was a big gap in individual’s wealth and income.

• Many Cubans were regarded as second class citizens by the government and foreign investors.

• The Cuban government was unresponsive to the needs of its citizens and catered to the demands of foreign business interests.

What decade do you think this picture was taken?

If you owned this car today, what would be the pros/cons of owning it?

(List at least two for each)

Cuba: Overview of Society and Politics in the 20th

century

Questions to Consider…

• Should nations interfere in the freedom and affairs of other nations?

• If so…under what circumstances is this justified?

The Fight over Cuba

Why Cuba?

• Manifest Destiny

• Example to demonstrate U.S. naval and military power

• Imperialism

• Protect U.S. investments in Cuba

Cuban Exile Community

• Ybor City and the Cigar Industry (1886)

• Ethnic Community

• Jose Martí

• “Cuba Libre!”– “Con Todos y Para

Todos”

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/cuba.htm

U.S. Involvement

• Yellow Journalism

• de Lome Letter

• U.S.S. Maine

• Another “Spain”?

• Discussion Question: What problems could arise if the U.S. decided to send troops to Cuba?

Cuban-Spanish-American War

• Cuba had been fighting for independence since 1868.

• The U.S. decided to intervene…but was never officially asked to do so.

• Many Cubans take offense to this.

• 1898…Spain is defeated in 6 weeks

The U.S. and Cuba: The Early Years

• What message does this picture convey?

• Do you think this is an accurate depiction of U.S./Cuban relations after the Platt Amendment was enacted?

American businesses had a major stake in much of Cuba’s economy.

The U.S. government and business supported Cuba’s leader Fulgencio Batista.

Batista was also supported by the American Mafia.

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/us-cuba-1902-1997.htm

The U.S. in Cuba

Fulgencio Batista

Batista’s Rule

http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/funfacts/batist.htm

Batista’s regime soon began to attack citizenswhom the government perceived as a threat.