Why Did Cuba's Efforts To Become An Independent Republic

Thirty-seven years to the date April 20th, 2017, Fidel Castro enacted the policy of the Mariel boatlift, in which he’d allow Cubans seeking to emigrate to the United States to do so by departing at Mariel. This number would eventually eclipse 125,000 people seeking asylum and refuge from Cuba, and the regime in which at one point they felt represented or directly opposed their own viewpoints. The first wave of Cuban exiles being the extremely wealthy, in direct opposition to Fidel Castro’s regime for a race-less society, and a single-class economy, government, and social order. The ultimatum being set at you’re with the revolution or you’re not, this encouraged former supporters of the now ousted Batista, to seek refuge in the United States.

The Cuban Revolution was touchy topic for the United States and Cuba. America’s alienation of Cuba didn’t help when communism from the USSR was brewing over the revolution. When the revolution gained Castro as its leader, the worry and hatred from the United States was unbearable, especially when the Soviet Union landed in Cuba to interest Castro in its aid. The US’s fear of communism, Fidel Castro, and aid from the Soviet Union was significant because it changed the US’s political role in Cuba during the Cuban Revolution.

Cuban history, like many other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean which have experienced colonial subjugation and imperial interference, is highlighted by tumultuous rebellions. Ever since the revolt of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes in 1868, who took up arms with his slaves to liberate Cuba from Spain’s colonial grasp, the existence of insurrectionists and adamant government opposition in Cuba has flourished. Social revolution and a strong will and practice of nationalism has indelibly characterized Cuban history. Nevertheless, the outcomes of particular movements and struggles for social justice have consistently frustrated revolutionary and radical leaders. Government regimes throughout

The Spanish-American War was considered short lived and relatively mild in terms of American casualties compared to the many wars that our nation has fought. However, it served as a historical marker that set the imperialistic momentum of our nation. It played a significant role in our nation’s strategic move towards acquiring trade routes and further strengthened our naval power. Throughout my research paper I will touch on what led to the Cuban revolution against Spain, America’s political climate at the time, and why our nation eventually decided to intervene and aid the Cubans in their fight for independence.

Cuba is merely one example of a society. Juan Cabrera is simply an ordinary example of an individual. What The Lonely Crossing of Juan Cabrera by J. Joaquin Fraxedas bring to light is the extraordinary effects of stepping outside the comfort zone of following the expectations of those that lead our governments. Although the situation was unlike our own it highlights what could very well could have

The study of race relations in contemporary Cuba indelibly requires an understanding of the dynamic history of race relations in this ethnically pervasive island of the Caribbean. Cuban society, due to its historical antecedents of European colonialism and American imperialism, has traditionally experienced anguished and even tumultuous race relations. Racial disharmony has plagued Cuban society ever since the advent of the Colonial institution of the plantation system. Thus, in order to acquire some understanding of Cuba’s dynamic race relations one must study and investigate the evolution of racial tensions and the quintessential

Brittmarie Janson Perez, author of Political Facets of Salsa, writes, “Late at night, in a discotheque in a Latin American country whose political system is dominated by the military and is not particularly known for its respect for human rights, a crowd is dancing salsa, a generic term covering Caribbean dance music” (149). This has been and continues to be a very commonly accurate depiction of many Latin American countries. Since Cuba was founded in October 1492, its government and politics has been characterized by brutality, corruption and instability. Nonetheless, involvement from foreign nations and its deeply engrained Spanish roots has without a doubt had a significant impact on the transformation of what Cuba is today. In this paper, I will explore the pros and cons of the 1959 Cuban Revolution through the examination of the historical context of politics and how it impacted the social atmosphere.

Afro-Cubans struggled to no avail for racial equality between the years 1886-1912. The slaughter of protesting blacks in 1912 shows that the battle cries for equality of Antonio Maceo and José Marté during the war for independence had dissolved. What was left was a unequal Cuban society, divided racially and fearing a black revolution. Aline Helg speaks directly to this issue in her book Our Rightful Share: The Afro-Cuban Struggle for Equality, 1886-1912. The aforementioned period was one in which the nation’s formation was taking place, thus the unsuccessful attempt at equality has left difficult remnants of racial inequality buried deeply in the fabric of the nation.

This week’s reading of Silence on Black Cuba interesting in how it showed racism and discrimination in “Black” Cuba. Although about 50 percent of the estimated 6.7 million population of Cuba was African decent, there was still discrimination towards them. What was even more interesting was that even some of the Afro-Cuban soldiers who fought along side Fidel and Che encountered discrimination. This being the case, Fidel simply downplayed the issue stating that their discrimination wasn’t as serious as the Southern States.

At a time when Cuba fought to gain independence from Spanish rule, President William McKinley showed leadership by ending the feud between the rebels and Spanish forces and establishing a stable government. U.S. interest in purchasing Cuba had begun before 1898. Following the Ten Year War, American sugar interests bought up large amounts of land in Cuba. Alterations in the U.S. sugar tariff favoring homegrown beet sugar helped encourage the renewal of revolutionary passion in 1895. On April 23, President McKinley asked for 125,000 volunteers to fight against Spain. The following day, Spain issued a declaration of war. However, on the other side of the world, a Spanish fleet docked in Cuba’s Santiago harbor after racing across the Atlantic from Spain. The Spanish fleet destroyed off Santiago by U.S. warships under Admiral William Sampson, and the Spanish surrendered the city. In Puerto Rico, Spanish forces crumbled in the face of superior U.S. forces, and on August 12 an armistice was signed between Spain and the United States, ending the conflict.

In this talk there were three new books in history discussed. These books were Antiracism in Cuba, Voodoo and Power, and Democracy’s Muse. The first book presented was Antiracism in Cuba. This book analyzes the race issue in Cuba under Castro’s rule. Cuba believes itself to be a “race less” country; however, the Cuban community only acknowledges itself as white. For Afro-Cubans to be considered Cuban they must lose their “blackness”. The author, Devyn Spence Benson, writes about the battle of the Afro-Cuban community trying to gain freedom and respect.

The Cuban Revolution, as Fidel Castro proclaimed in January 1959, was a true revolution; it had profoundly impacted the very economic, social and political foundations of the nation of Cuba and with that a new society was forged. Being one of the most major political events of the twentieth century, it was a dramatic chapter in the Cold War. Wherein the improbable overthrow of the oppressive U.S-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista by a band of young Communist guerillas and intellectuals otherwise known as the ‘July 26 Movement’ led by Fidel Castro, had drastically reshaped and ultimately severed all diplomatic ties to the U.S. This act of defiance was further cemented by the institutionalisation of a Marxist-Leninist government. Despite

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the island of Cuba was in the process of emerging from a Spanish colony to an independent nation. Freedom from Spain, however, was not the only struggle that Cuba was experiencing at this time. After having been oppressed by slavery for several centuries, Afro-Cubans, who had joined the fight for independence in large numbers, were demanding equality in Cuban society. Nevertheless, whites, especially in the elite, continued to initiate discriminatory practices against them. As a last resort, Afro-Cubans staged an armed protest in response to the outlawing of their political party in 1912. Although valiant, the attempt was

These two incidents were enough to draw a surge of nationalism and a feverish hunger for war with Spain but there was also a looming concern for protection of American investments in Cuba. President McKinley wired a final attempt for Madrid’s agreement to a ceasefire and allow the U.S. to mediate peace negotiations with the rebels. Nevertheless, despite Spain’s wish to avoid war they refused to accept the outcome of Cuba’s independence. “On April 11, McKinley asked Congress for authority to intervene in Cuba “in the name of civilization, [and] in behalf of endangered American interests.” (America: A Concise History 2015) For those seeking something beyond industrialization and eager to liberate the Cuban patriots anxiously jumped on the war

The story of Cuba is a very interesting one. Most are familiar with it as a small island in the Caribbean. Those who have not been completely negligent over the last half a century have probably also heard the names Fidel Castro and Ernesto “Che” Guevara. These two men were very pivotal players in the history of Cuba and its revolution. Literary and cinematic reenactments are a great method for providing historical knowledge. However, they can be heavily biased and much of the factual evidence can be “silenced” throughout the films and novels. Cuba has always been a region of great interest due to its location in the Caribbean Sea. The nation resisted capitalism for over forty-five years and aside from North Korea, is the last to be