Cuba

Boris, Thebes, Cameron

Background InformationCapital (and largest city): HavanaOfficial Language: SpanishEthnic Groups: 65.05% European, 10.08%

African, 23.84% Mulatto and MestizDemonym: CubanGovernment: Communist state

President: Raul CastroCurrency: Cuban peso (CUP)Population: 11,451,652 (2008 estimate)

Pre-colonisation Inhabited by tribes who farmed and hunted.Grew cotton, tobacco, maize and sweet

potatoesTribes were wiped out due to European

infectious diseases.

Colonisation – 1600s to 1700s1492 - Columbus arrives in CubaSpain conquers and colonizes CubaLocal Cubans refused to work for the

conquistadores, fleeing off into the countryside.

Peace to an extent was eventually reached

Colonisation – 1700s to 1800s 1700s - African slaves were introduced Seven Year’s War1800s - Cuban sugar plantations become

most important world producer of sugarSpain and Cuba co-operate with tradingRoads and railroads were built

19th century1820s - Cuba remained loyal to Spanish

empire 1868 - Failed rebellion led by Carlos Manuel

de Céspedes.1878 – 10 years war against Spain ends1879–1880, Calixto Garcia attempts another

war1892, José Martí founds the Cuban

Revolutionary Party1895, José Martí dies in combat.

American influences1898, USS Maine explodes in shores of

Havana. Victory for US. Treaty of Paris (1898) signed,

rights to Cuba handed over.Cuba gained formal independence from the

United States on May 20, 1902 as the Republic of Cuba.

New constitution allowed U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs & supervise its finances and foreign relations.

Platt Amendment, Guantánamo Bay leased to the US.

American influences (cont.)1906 - 1st president, Tomás Estrada Palma,

faced an armed revolt. Defeated.US occupies Cuba, Charles Edward Magoon

named leader. 1908 self-government was restored but the

U.S. continued intervening in Cuban affairs.Despite frequent outbreaks of disorder,

constitutional government was maintained until 1930.