U.S.-Cuban Relations

Introduction

Our group decided to discuss the long-lived negative feelings between Cuba and the U.S.

Beginning when Cuba demanded independence from Spain, America was quick to help the tiny

island gain its freedom. It was not until a U.S. warship exploded in Havana Harbor that a war

broke out between the U.S. and Spain, thus causing a U.S. invasion into Cuba. When Cuba

formally acquired its independence in 1902, the U.S. gained economic and political dominance

over all Cuban affairs. We discussed how the two countries went from allies with great trading

connections and economic stability, to the change that arose when Castro overthrew the previous

president, Fulgencio Batista. With the rule of Castro in place, ties America originally had with

the island were cut off and they also became backed by the USSR. Eventually, Castro declared

himself a Leninist-Marxist and allowed the Soviet Union to build a base on Cuban territory due

to a previous attack with missiles aimed straight for the states to prevent any future attacks from

America. The main objectives of our presentation will be to lay out the historical background and

timeline of events which led to both countries cutting all ties with each other, recent events that

have happened regarding the relations between the two nations and if anything is changing, a

look into some statistics concerning public opinion on the issue from both sides, presenting

relevant videos to dispel a lot of rhetoric surrounding the subject, and also a discussion about

Fidel’s recent death and the possible implications it could have for both nations.