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Latin America: Cuban Revolution & Zapatistas

Latin America: Cuban Revolution & Zapatistas. The Cuban Revolution. Cuba was a Spanish Colony . In 1898, the US defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War and Cuba won its independence (with limits ). For many years Cuba was the richest country in the Caribbean.

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Latin America: Cuban Revolution & Zapatistas

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  1. Latin America:Cuban Revolution & Zapatistas

  2. The Cuban Revolution • Cuba was a Spanish Colony. • In 1898, the US defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War and Cuba won its independence (with limits). • For many years Cuba was the richest country in the Caribbean.

  3. In the 1950’s Batista was Cuba’s leader and dictator. • Fidel Castro led a small rebel group to try and overthrow Batista. • He gained supporters and on his third attempt Batista left the country. • Castro took control of Cuba and still has control today.

  4. Under Castro… • the government took over private business and land • all books and newspapers could only print information supporting his government. • they became communist • Anyone who disagreed with government policy was put in jail.

  5. The U.S. broke relations with Cuba in January 1961 due to the harsh conditions and alliance with the USSR. (Cold War) • Hundreds of thousands of Cubans fled Cuba because of Castro’s communist policies . . . Many live in Florida today.

  6. Cuban Revolution • http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=64D6B82D-7185-46FB-ADCA-C356AC1A7E3D&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

  7. The Zapatistas

  8. Who were the Zapatistas? • Native American guerrilla movement rising up against the Mexican government. • Guerrilla –a small group of fighters who use surprise attacks to defeat a stronger force. • Called themselves the Zapatista National Liberation Army •Named after EmilianoZapata, an Indian farmer and hero of the 1910 Mexican Revolution

  9. What did the Zapatistas protest against? • They opposed the poverty faced by the Native Americans and other farmers. • They began their revolt just hours after NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) was signed on Jan. 1, 1994. *NAFTA eliminated the trade barriers and tariffs between the USA, Canada and Mexico. • Poor Mexican farmers did NOT like NAFTA because cheap corn and other food products from the US began to flood into Mexico. • This forced them Mexican farmers to charge LESS for their crops.

  10. What did the Zapatistas do? • Seized control of 4 major towns in Chiapas. • More than 100 people were killed in the fighting between the rebels and government troops. • Government regained control and called for a cease-fire. -Negotiations began between the government and rebels.

  11. What was the impact of the Zapatista movement? • Several political reforms were put into place to improve the lives of Native Americans in Mexico. •Housing & Education •Fair distribution of land •Laws ensuring that Native Americans were represented in the national legislature. •However . . . the government has been unable to meet these needs, so these farmers have formed self-governing communities to take care of themselves. Many have started their own health and education programs.

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