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This island was once a clearinghouse for importing slaves into
the New World. It later became one of the world's few remaining
bastions of Marxism, proclaiming socio-economic equality. In
both forms, Cuba has played a unique and dramatic role in American
affairs. This presentation focuses on Cuba's economic and social
upheaval, with special attention to how this has affected the
United States.
- 1492--Christopher
Columbus discovers Cuba. In 1508, Sebabastian
de Ocampo circumnavigates the island.
- 1511-1515--Diego
de Velasquez conducts war of Cuban conquest.
- 1602--
The first Cuban rebellion against Spain.
- 1713--Treaty
of Utrecht marks decline of Spain as a European power.
- 1717--Royal
tobacco monopoly (Factoria de Tabacas) established in Cuba.
Revolts in 1717, 1720.
- 1740--Royal
Commercial Company of Havana authorized to control Cuban trade.
- 1762--British
troops occupy Havana and establish free trade. Spain regains
Havana (1763) by ceding Florida.
- 1817--Spain
ends tobacco monopoly; opens Cuban ports to all nations (1818).
- 1843-1844--"La
Escalera"-a major slave revolt in Cuba.
- 1850--Junta
of American and Cuban annexationists twice land in Cuba, yet
fail. Similar invasion fails, 1855.
- 1868-1878
--Cuban Revolution, ending with Spanish victory and the Pact
of Zanjon. Slavery ended.
- 1894--Spain
reimposes high tariffs on Cuban trade with America, creating
depression, unemployment & revolutionary sentiments.
- 1895
--Second war for Cuba's independence erupts under resistance
led by Jose Marti.
- 1898--
The Maine, a U.S.battleship, blows up in Havana harbor
(Feb.11). U.S. declares war
on Spain (April 20) and calls for Cuban independence.
Spain cedes Cuba, Puerto Rico, Philippines,
and Guam to U.S. in Treaty of Paris (Dec.10).
- 1901--
Cuban Constituent Assembly becomes independent with U.S.-approved
constitutional restrictions (the Platt Amendment).
- 1906--
Cuban revolt; U.S. Marines intervene and reinstate direct
U.S. rule. Further revolts and U.S. interventions in 1912,
1917.
- 1930--
U.S. Smoot-Hawley tariff blocks Cuban exports to U.S.,
which then fall by 80%. Cuban economy collapses.
- 1934--
Fulgencio Batista seizes power in Cuba; U.S. rescinds
Platt Amendment & recognizes government.
- 1940--
New constitution replaces 1901 constitution.
- 1952
-- Batista again seizes power, this time by military coup.
Fidel Castro attacks army barracks (1953), meets military
disaster and is imprisoned. Amnesty grated 1955.
- 1956-1959--
Castro leads insurrection against Batista, who is ousted.
Castro becomes Premier.
- 1961
-- American-trained force invades Cuba at Playa Giron (the
Bay of Pigs) and fails.
- 1962
-- Cuban missile crisis (October) provokes nuclear standoff
between U.S. and USSR.
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