Additional Materials

Timeline

Discussion Questions

Digital Resources

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Discussion Questions

1. How can the colonial history of Cuba under Spain, and later the United States, be seen as a cause of the communist revolution in the mid-20^th century?
2. How much blame can or should be placed on the United States for its support of Batista, did they realize how unhappy the Cuban people were with him as their leader?
3. How did the U.S. response in the immediate aftermath of the revolution contribute to worsening relations with Cuba?
4. What can the large exodus of Cubans in the aftermath of the revolution say about the political and social feelings in Cuba at the time?
5. Did U.S. trade restrictions on Cuba help curb its influence and limit it as a threat to the U.S., or did they only worsen relations?
6. Was Cuba’s installation of Soviet missiles an attempt to threaten America or an effort to show it could defend itself?
7. How did the U.S.’ fluctuating policy towards Cuba and mixed signals regarding relieving restrictions in the late 20^th century influence U.S.-Cuba relations?
8. How did the collapse of the Soviet Union and the mild reform in Cuba affect how the U.S. viewed the country?
9. Does the significant relaxation of U.S. restrictions in the 21^st century indicate that Cuba has changed, or that the U.S. has softened its stance? Both? And Why?
10. What effect did Fidel Castro’s resignation as president and Raúl Castro’s reforms have on how Cuba is viewed both domestically and by other countries, including the U.S?

Digital Resources

• https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/cquslatinrel/cuba_u_s_embargo_of/0
  • Hames, Gina. “Cuba, U.S. Embargo of: Encyclopedia of United States – Latin American Relations – Credo Reference.” Cuba, U.S. Embargo of | Encyclopedia of United States – Latin American Relations – Credo Reference, 2012. https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/cquslatinrel/cuba_u_s_embargo_of/0.
  • Important reference source on the history and politics of the U.S.’ embargo on Cuba.
• https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/columency/cuba/0
  • “Cuba.” In The Columbia Encyclopedia, by Paul Lagasse, and Columbia University. 8th ed. Columbia University Press, 2018. https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/columency/cuba/0 
  • Comprehensive academic encyclopedia entry detailing the history of Cuba.
• https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-cuba-relations
  • CFR.org Editors. “U.S.-Cuba Relations.” Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations. Accessed December 9, 2022. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-cuba-relations.
  • Useful summary and history of relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
• https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-cuba/
  • “U.S. Relations with Cuba – United States Department of State.” U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State, April 14, 2021. https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-cuba/.
  • U.S. State Department webpage detailing the current, official U.S. stance toward Cuba.
• https://www.history.com/news/timeline-us-cuba-relations
  • Román, Iván. “A Timeline of US-Cuba Relations.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, September 8, 2021. https://www.history.com/news/timeline-us-cuba-relations.
  • Detailed timeline of U.S.-Cuba relations through the centuries.
• https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-cuba-relations
  • CFR.org Editors. “U.S.-Cuba Relations.” Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations. Accessed December 9, 2022. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-cuba-relations.
  • Alternate timeline of U.S.-Cuba relations, specifically since the revolution and in the time frame of this project.