latin america: cuban revolution & zapatistas
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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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
Cuban Revolution
• http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=64D6B82D-7185-46FB-ADCA-C356AC1A7E3D&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US
The Zapatistas
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 Emiliano Zapata, an Indian farmer and hero of the 1910 Mexican Revolution
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.
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.
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.