Latin America:Cuban Revolution & Zapatistas

The Cuban Revolution

• Cuba was a Spanish Colony.

• In 1898, the US defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War and Cuba won its independence (with limits).

• For many years Cuba was the richest country in the Caribbean.

• In the 1950’s Batista was Cuba’s leader and dictator.

• Fidel Castro led a small rebel group to try and overthrow Batista.

• He gained supporters and on his third attempt Batista left the country.

• Castro took control of Cuba and still has control today.

• Under Castro…– the government took over private business and

land– all books and newspapers could only print

information supporting his government. – they became communist– Anyone who disagreed with government policy

was put in jail.

• The U.S. broke relations with Cuba in January 1961 due to the harsh conditions and alliance with the USSR. (Cold War)

• Hundreds of thousands of Cubans fled Cuba because of Castro’s communist policies . . . Many live in Florida today.

Cuban Revolution

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The Zapatistas

Who were the Zapatistas?

• Native American guerrilla movement rising up against the Mexican government.

• Guerrilla –a small group of fighters who use surprise attacks to defeat a stronger force.

• Called themselves the Zapatista National Liberation Army

•Named after Emiliano Zapata, an Indian farmer and hero of the 1910 Mexican Revolution

What did the Zapatistas protest against?

• They opposed the poverty faced by the Native Americans and other farmers.

• They began their revolt just hours after NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) was signed on Jan. 1, 1994.

*NAFTA eliminated the trade barriers and tariffs between the USA, Canada and Mexico.

• Poor Mexican farmers did NOT like NAFTA because cheap corn and other food products from the US began to flood into Mexico. – This forced them Mexican farmers to charge LESS for their crops.

What did the Zapatistas do?

• Seized control of 4 major towns in Chiapas.– More than 100 people were killed in the fighting

between the rebels and government troops.

• Government regained control and called for a cease-fire.

-Negotiations began between the government and rebels.

What was the impact of the Zapatista movement?

• Several political reforms were put into place to improve the lives of Native Americans in Mexico.

•Housing & Education•Fair distribution of land•Laws ensuring that Native Americans were

represented in the national legislature.

•However . . . the government has been unable to meet these needs, so these farmers have formed self-governing communities to take care of themselves. Many have started their own health and education programs.