An Independent Cuba
analytical Essay
1286 words
An Independent Cuba
Fidel Castro’s belief of a Cuba libre was not only his; many Cubans envisioned an independent Cuba, ‘A Cuba that could have been’. Plenty felt the urge to raise their voices and prove their discontent and patriotism to the world, but what could have been remained a silent whisper. Furthermore illiteracy and ignorance encircled a big chunk of society one which could not comprehend the causes and effects of such a term as ‘imperial’. In Thomas G. Patterson’s Contesting Castro: The United States and the Triumph of the Cuban Revolution, Nixon is quoted expressing that Castro is "either incredibly naive about communism or under communist discipline." (Paterson 257) His assumption was most probably correct "Pazzo recalled that Castro did not want to appear as one more Latin American leader ‘sold out’ to imperialism." (Paterson 257) Cuba’s history is revealed in numerous writings like Marifeli Perez-Stable’s The Cuban Revolution: Origins, Course and Legacy ,and other documents which will be used to support the idea that Cuba was not a victim of it’s own rebellion, but one of a ‘wrong leader’, if one might say, and a harsh and complicated past. In addition the United States’ imperialism caused that many succeed and even more undergo horrendous treatment, illiteracy and inadequate lifestyles for the US own benefit. This caused the Cuban revelation, so why still ask why.
In Perez-Stable her antagonism towards the United States is fairly obvious. The US was controlling a huge amount of Cuba’s income. Cuba needed the income to rebuilt the farms and mills after the Depression. The United States gave the capital necessary to reconstruct but remained in charge of the land. During this time 75% of the land was held by 8% of the farms.
"US capital promoted economic reconstruction but undermined national control of the economy. Trade reciprocity favored US imports,weakened existing industries, and discouraged new ones. More than 350 Cuban-owned establishments closed their doors early in the 20th century"
(Perez-Stable 17
She also quotes Manuel Rionda, a planter who wrote: "So the Cubans, the real Cubans, do not own much." It’s an unpleasant thought that after so much blood shed and so many patriots that gave their lives to free themselves from an authoritarian and also dictatorial government (Spanish rule), they must continue to work and sacrifice for a government disguised as democratic and almost perfect. When they are truly parasites that only mean to deindustrialize Cuba and are as authoritarian as the rest.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how castro's belief of a cuba libre was not only his; many cubans envisioned an independent cuba, but illiteracy and ignorance encircled society.
- Analyzes how perez-stable's antagonism towards the united states is fairly obvious. the us was controlling a huge amount of cuba’s income.
- Explains that us capital promoted economic reconstruction but undermined national control of the economy. trade reciprocity favored us imports, weakened existing industries, and discouraged new ones.
- Opines that after so much blood shed and so many patriots that gave their lives to free themselves from an authoritarian and dictatorial government, they must continue to work and sacrifice for a government disguised as democratic and almost perfect.
- Analyzes how paterson states that the us had no time for cuba, but one would think that cuba is a main conflict only '90' miles away from us southern coast.
- Explains that cuba was not poor, but prosperity mainly happened in la havana. 80% of urban cuba had water in their homes while only 5% in the rural parts.
- Opines that the united states supported fulgencio batista even though his corruption and dictatorship ruined many in cuba.
- Analyzes how fidel castro, an educated cuban sickened of inequality in his society, acted for those who did not dare to speak, and gathered tactics to cause an impact in cuba.
- Opines that cuba provided the best resistance and the most patriotic men of cuba. it continued the fight for independence for thirty years and paid the highest tribute in blood sacrifice and heroism.
- Analyzes how castro seems to be a heroic leader planning to lead the masses towards fighting for equality. castro created laws for the misfortunate promising that if they fight with courage the outcome shall be great
- Opines that cubans who oppose castro aren't visible, although they can assume that those benefiting from capitalism are the guilty ones. an immense feeling of nationalism and a sense of responsibility towards the ancestors was born.
- Opines that castro's regime turned dictatorial and power turned him against many of his beliefs.
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In this essay, the author
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- Opines that a simple repeal of the embargo would bring both the united states and cuba great economic success.
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- Explains that the world factbook cuba is available at cia.gov/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cu.html.
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In this essay, the author
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- Reports that the cuban government has resorted to other tactics such as firing and intimidation to silence opposition to the government.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the u.s. has a long history of intervening within other countries, whether it is for political reasons or otherwise.
- Explains that cuba and the u.s. first had governmental relations in 1899, and a treaty was made stating the cuba was an independent nation under us protection and occupation.
- Explains that the platt amendment was passed in 1901 even after a large amount of public uproar. the amendment was canceled in 1934 after mutual agreement between the u.s. and cuba.
- Opines that the united states may exercise the right to intervene for the preservation of cuban independence, the maintenance of a government adequate for protection of life, property, and individual liberty and for discharging obligations with respect to cuba imposed by the treaty of paris.
- Explains that the government of cuba will sell or lease to the united states lands necessary for coaling or naval stations, at certain specified points.
- Explains that the platt amendment was a good idea, but by enforcing these laws, the u.s. had the upper hand in cuban relations.
- Analyzes how fulgencio batista overthrew the current cuban president in a military coup, which was fully supported by the u.s. government.
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- Explains that the bay of pigs invasion was planned during the eisenhower administration and executed during kennedy's presidency.
- Opines that the united states should not have been worried about the soviet union's involvement with cuba. cuba was fully able to function by itself.
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- Opines that the u.s. government did not have the rights of civilians in mind when they aided the contras.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that haiti was dubbed ‘la isla espanola,’ shortened to hispaniola, after christopher columbus discovered the island in 1492.
- Explains that columbus encountered hispaniola in 1492, and the spanish established the first permanent settlement in the new world, naming it santo domingo.
- Explains that the spanish held control of the island until 1670, when power was ceded to the british. economic adversity was the reason for many black uprisings.
- Explains the colonization of cuba by diego velazquez and his soldiers from hispaniola.
- Explains how the united states' recent declaration of independence combined with the corrupt spanish colonial government made cubans think more strongly about their independence.
- Analyzes the evolution of the cuban embargo, which is spread out over four years from 1959 until 1963, when former president john f. kennedy issued the ultimate trade sanctions against cuba.
- Analyzes how the agrarian reform law of may 1959 engendered a hasty economic change on the large caribbean island.
- Analyzes how cuba's ensuing trade agreements with the soviet union rankled the american government on many levels.
- Analyzes how the american policy toward cuba remained the same when kennedy took over, as eisenhower provided the new president with plans to overtake the cuban government.
- Describes the cuban assets control regulations, a detailed and intricate policy that denies cuba any part of the american economy.
- Explains how the oas followed the u.s.'s lead, requiring all member states to dissolve economic and diplomatic ties with cuba. the late 1970s and carter administration brought about a more relaxed attitude toward the embargo.
- Analyzes the development of cuba and its neighboring island nations in order to discern the reasons for cuba's current political situation with the united states.
- Explains that oil was the next tool that the u.s. government used to punish cuba and its newfound friendship with the soviet union.
- Analyzes how the u.s. embargo on cuba continues to be a controversial issue within american politics.
4619 wordsRead More