Cuba And The Cold War

In terms of activity during World War II, many Latin American countries played an active role in the War Effort. Effectively, the war effort also had a large impact on countries in Latin America. Specifically, I will be focusing on the economic, social and political effects that World War II played in Cuba. Cuba’s war involvement was different in terms of the other Latin American countries that were involved. Cuba’s territory at the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico proved to be a valuable area in terms of trading. Cuba also played a vital role in the support of the United States’ Lend-Lease program. Specifically, Cuba played roles in diplomacy, conflict and espionage during World War II.

The Cuba Policy came into effect to end all relations between the United States and Cuba. The U.S. policy toward Cuba is controlled by the embargo, which contains economic agreements and restrictions on travel to Cuba. The effect of this policy is to minimize commercial, political and resident relations between the United States and Cuba. The State Department indicated that the purpose of the embargo was to have a nonviolent transition to a secure, democratic form of government and respect for human rights in Cuba.

Tensions between the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Cuba had always been apparent due to the United States heavy involvement within the countries. However, our nation also had a tendency to turn the other cheek if the issue Cuba had been dealing with was in favor of the United States. Though Cuba was economically doing very well, their political system was in turmoil with itself. This made them vulnerable to attack, and the U.S. took advantage of this. After the U.S.S. Maine was attacked in the Spanish-American war, the United States entered, and demolished. We did not suffer nearly as many casualties as those of the Spanish army. Many Cubans migrated to the U.S., but found a large portion of their natural rights taken by new acts and regimes. Puerto

One of the most controversial and widely debatable issues that have been discussed extensively in international legislation for several decades is the Helms-Burton Act. The main controversy surrounding the Helms-Burton Act is the resistance from the Cuban government regarding the features of the legislation. The resistance is a clear demonstration of the legality of property claims despite of the passage of time. Throughout history, rarely has an initiative by the American government to enforce its political opinion on economies of other countries generated much anger like the 1996 Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity or Helms-Burton Act. Even though President Clinton initially opposed the legislation, it was enacted after the downing of two planes by Cuban Air Force that were flown by members of an anti-Castro organization in America. The enactment of this legislation resulted in the America's Cuban Conundrum whose main issues are addressed in this article.

Cuba is a nation that formed from a history of colonial and imperial domination. Formal colonial status under Spain ended during the invasion by the United States in 1898, when military and corporate interests made the island a de facto colony of the United States. However, Cuba and the United States have had a long history of both political and military ties; both good and bad. Nevertheless, these ties have played a vital role in the current relationship the United States maintains with Cuba. In the recent years, both countries have continued to work toward a better diplomatic relationship; possibly enhancing the overall success of both Cuba and the United States.

Cuba’s colorful history can be documented to before the days of the American Revolution in 1776, but today, American policy directly affects many Cubans’ lifestyles because of a nearly 45-year-old trade embargo that has been placed on the island nation. It is crucial to analyze the development of Cuba and its neighboring island nations in order to discern the reasons for Cuba’s current political situation with the United States. The following paper will discuss the events that shaped Cuba and larger Caribbean nations like Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica; next, a detailed description of Cuba’s turbulent history will help in explaining the Cuban transformation into a

Cuba and the United States are two very different countries. Although they are only nearly 90 miles away from each other it has been over 50 years since both countries have had any real relationship towards each other, other than the hatred that seems to shown by the two countries’ politicians. In October 1960 the United States began to impose its first round of embargoes towards the small island when Cuba decided to nationalize all of the American Oil on its county after the United States without properly compensating the United States. The embargo that was put in place October 1960 limited the on exports to Cuba except for food and medicine. Then in February of 1962 the United States expanded on its embargo from 1960 to include imports as well, but not before John F Kennedy could get his hands on some more of the finest Cigars that Cuba had to offer. There are many reasons for why the United States has placed embargos on the island of Cuba. Some will argue that they should have never placed any embargo against Cuba and some will argue that the embargo should have been lifted a long time ago, but as long as the country remains communist and the Cuban people don’t get an equal opportunity to prosper then lifting or not lifting the embargoes on Cuba will have no real impact on Cuba and its people.

The 13 days in where the Soviet Union confronted the USA by placing nuclear missles in the island Cuba which is just 90 miles off American mainland is regarded as the closest the two countries came to war in the Cold War period. The short term signifcances were huge, as the world came close to a third world war, but in the long term it actually helped USA and the Soviet Union build a stronger relationship. It led to the Moscow-Washington hotline. However, during the 13 days it proved to many leaders and citizens around the world how fragile a relationship the two countries had, and showed a glimpse into the future that no one wanted to experience. However, what was most significant about the event in the short term was that the outcome seemed to give the USA the upper hand in the cold war. The result of the crises was that the Soviet Union retreated and took all their offensive weapons in Cuba away, whilst the American missiles in Turkey were allowed to stay where they were. Although the Cold War continued for another three decades after, the event led to the decline of Khrushchev, which proves how significant a defeat it was for the Soviets. Opposition had mounted against Khrushchev during and after the crisis and for all his dramatics, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war for example, he had not delivered any meaningful victories.

Since 1959, there are an outgoing battle between Cuba and the US and there are many facet to the relationship . It started with the Cold War. The Cold War was an ongoing battle between the USSR and the US . Before anything happen Cuba was leaded by Fidel Castro , a leader who believe in communist. And he changed Cuba through the years when he ruled. The result of the Cold War caused the relationship between America and Cuba to break because of the USSR Vs US , Fidel Castro ,and Nikita Khrushchev . On March 20 , 2016 , Obama stepped foot on Cuba , trying to rebuild the relationship between the US and Cuba

A lot has gone on between the United States and Cuba between 1959 and 2015. In 1959, Cuba and the United States cut off diplomatic ties. On December 17, 2014, the United States and Cuba announced that they would restore diplomatic ties. Diplomatic ties is defined as “The art or practice of conducting international relations, as in negotiating alliances, treaties, and agreements” by The Free Dictionary. This means that two countries work together and with other countries to talk about alliances and make treaties and agreements. When they cut off diplomatic ties, the United States and Cuba basically had nothing to do with each other on the international scene.

A lot has gone on between the United States and Cuba between 1959 and 2015. In 1959, Cuba and the United States cut off diplomatic ties. On December 17, 2014, the United States and Cuba announced that they would restore diplomatic ties. Diplomatic ties is defined as “The art or practice of conducting international relations, as in negotiating alliances, treaties, and agreements” by The Free Dictionary. This means that two countries work together and with other countries to talk about alliances and make treaties and agreements. When they cut off diplomatic ties, the United States and Cuba basically had nothing to do with each other on the international scene.

From the time, Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba tensions ran high between the Cuban government and the United States government. Relations between Cuba and the United States grew during Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations. Not as much during the Eisenhower administration as the Kennedy administration did tensions between between the two countries intensify. Kennedy faced many a different situations as President. He faced such situations like the Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Tensions have mounted high for a long time between Cuba and the United States.

African blood flows freely through our veins. Many of our ancestors came as slaves from Africa to this land. As slaves they struggled a great deal. They fought as members of the Liberating Army of Cuba. We’re brothers and sisters of the people of Africa and we’re ready to fight on their behalf! – Fidel Castro, 1975

The turbulent relations between the United States and Cuba became more controversial since the Cold War. They reached their apex on 15th October 1962, when after realizing that the Soviet Union was developing missile bases in Cuba, President Kennedy started taking strong procedures against Cuba. Indeed in February 1962 he signed the Embargo, which has not yet been lifted but reached improvements after more than 50 years, in April 2015 during Barack Obama and Raul Castro presidency (Renwick and Lee, August 4, 2015).

In 1492, Christopher Columbus landed on what is now Bariay, Holguin province. He claimed this piece of land for Spain and originally named it Isla Juana after the Prince of Asturias, Juan. In the mid-16th century an outbreak of measles wiped out two-thirds of the natives, which most of them had survived the outbreak of smallpox previously. In the 19th century Cuba’s people were slaves, outraged slaves began to rebel with the intention to win independence from the Spanish. In April of 1898 Spain and Cuba went to war with Americas involvement which resulted in the Treaty of Paris in August of 1898 where Spain ceded Puerto Rico, Philippines, Cuba, and Guam. On May 20, 1902 The United States of America allowed Cuba to gain its independence. The newly written constitution stated that the United States retained the right to intervene in Cuba’s affairs. In 1933 the Sergeants’ revolt occurred. Leader of the revolt, Sergeant Fulgencio Batista overthrew Cespedes. After Cespedes was overthrown Ramon Grau San Martin was named as provisional president, but in 1934 he resigned leaving Batista the presidency. Eventually Cuban natives were unsatisfied with the way Batista ran the country; exiled in 1959 Batista fled to Portugal. Eventually Fidel Castro took over and converted the country to communism, which led Cuba into the best and the worst of times.