ties with US and allies with Soviets In the beginning the US welcomed Cuba that seemed to be democratic but soon after that Castro started to establish military tribunals for political opponents and jailed hundreds of them. In 1952, Castro ended the military pact with the US and then confiscated US assets, started collective farm (soviet style). Then, on January 3rd, 1961 the US ended relations with Cuba and Castro made his alliance with the Soviets official. Thousands of Cubans fled the country.
Bay of Pigs Disaster
In 1961, the US supported a group of Cuban exiles. This was then planned by the Eisenhower administration and John Kennedy gave the ok for it but did not give air support. On April 17th, 1961 was the day of the landing. Cubans did not give popular support and the Cuban military was repulsed. The goal was to overthrow Castro and gain the support of the people and military. Castro ordered a counter attack of 20,000 troops. The situation grew worse and on April 19th, Kennedy ordered an air-umbrella and six unmarked planes took off the defend. They arrived an hour late and were bombed down. Some people escaped to sea and others were held as prisoners and killed.
Soviet Missile Crisis
The Soviets attempted to install medium range missiles directed towards the US in Cuba. This is what provoked the crisis in 1962. Kennedy promised a US blockade to stop missile delivery. Then a couple days later the soviets ordered the missile sites dismantled and returned to the USSR if the US agreed not to attack Cuba.
Castro in Poor Health Announces
Retirement Fidel Castro had intestinal surgery then seventeen months later he released a statement to the public that he was not healthy to run a campaign for elections BUT did not withdraw from the elections. In January 2008, the parliamentary elections were done and Fidel and Raul Castro were reelected back in. Then in February, Fidel announced that he was retiring after 49 years of power. Raul, his brother, succeeded him as the 21st president of Cuba.
Small Freedoms for Cuba
In 2008, Minister Felipe Perez Roque signed a covenant that was to ensure the citizens political, civil freedoms, and guarantee the right to work, fair wages, social security, education, and high standards of physical and mental health. Also, it was agreed that in 2009 the Human Rights Council was to examine Cuba at there own will. The government soon relaxed the land restrictions on Cuba. Loosened there long standing restrictions on Cuban-American visiting and sending money into the country. Lastly, Castro in 2010 said that he was soon to release political prisoners.
Possible steps towards new leader NOT
named Castro????? April 19th 2011, Jose Ramon Machado was appointed to fill the second highest position. This is very significant because this is the first time since 1959 that someone other than the Castro brothers were appointed to a high position.
Pope makes long awaited visit
March 26th, 2012, Pope Benedict visited Cuba. He came after years of tension between the church and the Cuban government. 200,000 people attended the mass but many said that they were pressured to attend by the communist government.
Exit Visa Requirements Dropped!!
October 16th, 2012, the government announced that in early 2013 Cubans would no longer be required to have an exit visa. This was promised by Castro in 2011 and the only con is that they were keeping tight control of political dissidents.
Cuba and US Resume Diplomatic
Relations A deal negotiated over 18 months was finally settled on December 17th, 2014 which led to the Cuban government freeing Alan Gross who was in captivity for 5 years. In response to this, Obama announced that the US would resume full diplomatic relations with Cuba.
A New Era for the US & Cuba:
Changes to come President Obama declared, that it is time to end a rigid policy that is rooted in events that took place before most of us were born. Us will send an ambassador to Cuba. -This will ease but not end the economic embargo.
Both will ease travel restrictions.
Business transactions will be easier. Cubans will be able to communicate more easily with people around the world.
A New Era for the US & Cuba:
How might the relationship between the US and
Cuba be changing? The relationship between the US and Cuba is changing in a good way because of the long months of negotiating and coming to an agreement has helped both Cubans and Americans because now the travel restrictions have been loosened which allows people to see relatives and friends. Also, it allows business transactions to be easier to make and it allows Cubans to easily communicate with the world. When Obama and Castro put out an announcement at the same time there were joyous reactions which concludes this is a good thing.
Work Cited http://www.infoplease.com/country/cuba.html?pageno=10 http://magazines.scholastic.com/news/2014/12/A-New-Era-for-the-U-S-AndCuba