Cuba is well known for the historic events following the Revolution, including the Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile Crisis, but there is a greater and longer history to the country- and more roles than the well known communist one. For hundreds of years, after reportedly being “discovered” by Christopher Columbus, Cuba was a treasured colony of Spain due to its location and resources (Cuba Before 1959). For such a small island, this was Cuba’s first “big role” in the world. Due to this role, even hundreds of years ago, the United States also expressed interest in Cuba with ideas of trade and the business opportunities of sugar; showing that this relationship between our two countries goes further back than the majority of people may realize.Cuba’s determination for freedom is another aspect that has been going on longer than perhaps people are aware of. Over time, the loyalty of Cuba to Spain diminished and they began to seek freedom from imperialism. It is because of this struggle of independence against Spain that Cuba was sent into its next role as a country controlled by the United States. Essentially, the United States forced Cuba into this role when they signed a peace treaty with Spain without the smaller country present and then raised the American flag over Cuba (Cuba Before 1959). This began the United States control over Guantanamo Bay, businesses, politics and other aspects.The first two major roles of Cuba were as a pawn of larger countries; this started to change when the Revolution occurred under Fidel Castro- launching Cuba into its “signature role” as a communist country. When Castro came to power he seemed to almost instantly dismiss the country’s previous roles by nationalizing all United States businesses on the island- and yet, began to rely on the Soviet Union. In the article on Fidel Castro, the author writes how “Cuba was becoming increasingly dependent on the Soviet Union for economic and military support” (Fidel Castro pg. 2). It is interesting that again Cuba’s role was reliant on others; even with Castro’s growing efforts to empower and involve Cuba in world affairs.The illness and then death of Fidel Castro, causing days of mourning in Cuba and joyful celebrations in the US, and the visit of Obama with Raul Castro seemed to be the beginnings of a new role for Cuba as a tourism industry. I think this business role has always been present, but Cuba was not necessarily able to harness it due to their history of being controlled. Now, tourism seems to be booming and bringing more hope to the country.It’s difficult but interesting to consider how Cuba would be different if history had gone in other directions. I am also interested in this: How has Cuba’s roles under the power of larger countries shaped what the island is today? Furthermore, what can we predict about the future roles of Cuba?
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Blog #1: The Roles of Cuba in History
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Cuba has had a lot of historical events happen. I think the events you talk about may be some of the most important events that have occurred for Cuba. I think Cuba would be completely different if they were not so dependent on the Soviet Union. When the Soviet Union crashed is brought finical hardship and crime. I think if the Cuban government had their own support for military and economic's they might be in a difference place today. Another point to think about is that the Soviet Union did not fall until 1991. Cuba has only been building their sole economy for 27 years. While other countries have been building their economy since they became a free country. For the prediction of future roles of Cuba I feel only time can tell. Raul Castro might want the legacy of his brother to continue but he already made improvements to Cuba. I think Cuba and United States will always go back and fourth on if American's are allowed into Cuba or not.
ReplyDeleteI think Cuba's future will see many changes that go against the goals of the revolution since it seems that these are no longer sustainable. The Soviet Union provided much of the capital that made Cuba's socialist economy possible. The fall of the Soviet Union effectively made it hard for the country to function. The film showed that there was a decent amount of people unhappy with the state of affairs. Countries with high rates of immigration from Cuba may start to put pressure on the country to make changes, and Cubans outside of the country with free speech may try to create change as well. I feel as though Cuba will become less isolationist and become more of an economic presence in order to trade for goods and supplies. Additionally, since the country is already struggling and small examples of capitalism are starting to sneak in, I believe the country will start to move more towards capitalism and thus become closer to an even economic power.
ReplyDeleteRebecca,
ReplyDeleteCuba’s roles under the power of larger countries shaped what the island is today because no matter what other countries were doing, I felt as if Cuba still did what Cuba wanted to do. The Cuban economy was evident on what they stand for and no matter what other countries said or done, the Cuban economy still remained in favor of what they insisted was right for their people, money, trade and health care.
Cuba has had many hardships while being under the control of both Spain and the United States, but I think that those hardships help shape it into what it is today- a country filled with hardworking people who will do whatever it takes to provide the best life for themselves and their families. It created a sense of nationalism for the Cuban people that drove them to work harder. However, being so dependent on the Soviet Union brought many financial issues and an increase in crime. If they had learned to be more independent before the crash of the Soviet Union, I believe that Cuba would be very different than what it is today. Like Natalie had said, Cuba has just started to build their economy whereas other countries have had hundreds of years to do so. In time I think that Cuba will find it's independence and flourish.
ReplyDelete