CUBA

15^th Century
The Age of Exploration. Cuba's location makes it a convenient stopping place for explorers on their way to the New World.

1511-1524
Diego Velazquez lands on the eastern tip of Cuba and establishes the first permanent settlement. The encomienda system is introduced in order to Christianize the natives.

1519
Hernan Cortes sails from Cuba to conquer the Aztec Empire in Mexico.

16^th Century
Living conditions remain rudimentary during the colonial period. The Indian population starts to diminish and most that come to the island are only passing through on their way to Mexico or South America. This has a profound effect on the general population. In 1544, there are less than 7000 inhabitants. Black slaves quickly outnumber the Spanish. The importation of slaves declines as the gold reserves are exhausted. Smugglers and pirates make regular visits to the island. Throughout the century the Caribbean is subjected to numerous attacks from foreign parties seeking to take over Spanish colonies.
*Lucia (Part One)

17^th Century
The English, French, Dutch and Portuguese settle throughout the Caribbean and continue to make attacks on Spanish territories. Cuba is especially vulnerable now because attacks are launched from much closer territories. Pirating gives way to the Buccaneers, mercenaries with no allegiances.
Havana begins to grow as a result of the passing fleets. Industries such as cattle farming and vegetable and fruit cultivation thrived. Land was distributed into collectives in an attempt to encourage small-scale land ownership. Cuba proves to be the ideal place to cultivate tobacco and as the demand for it increases, tobacco farming becomes an important industry.

1717
Government monopolies are instituted to control tobacco production.

1720s
Tobacco farmers engage in an armed rebellion against the Spanish monopolies but the policy continues.

1750-1800
A class system emerges in Cuba. Industry owners, merchants and lawyers are at the top while the black slaves that work primarily on sugar plantations, are at the bottom of this scale. Some slaves manage to escape and join organizations that oppose slavery.
The establishment of the U.S. in 1776 provides a prime market for Cuban products. Towards the end of the 18^th century, the English occupy Cuba for a brief period. Sugar becomes a dominant industry as slave uprisings occur on Haitian plantations. By the end of the century, the importation of slaves becomes limitless.
*The Last Supper

1790s
The beginning of Cuba's Golden Century. The Creole planter class establishes several organizations to promote discussion and learning. The first newspaper is started, Papel Periodico.

1812
A particularly bloody revolt takes place by the tobacco farmers prompting the Spanish to lift the government monopoly on the industry.

1820-1830
The sugar, coffee and tobacco industries continue to grow and prosper despite some setbacks. In 1821, slave importation is suppressed interrupting the flow of labor.
Poets begin to speak out in favor of nationalism. Some are executed and others are sent into exile.

1840s
Cubans worry about the recent series of slave uprisings, not wanting to submit to the same fate as Haiti, they work to maintain their colonial status.

1850s
Opinions waver over Cuba's annexation to the U.S. Many Cubans do not believe it is the correct way to go about breaking ties with Spain.

1865
The Partido Reformista is formed.

1868
The War for Independence is initiated by Creole landowners, lawyers and professionals but is mostly fought by the peasants and blacks.

1880s-1890s
Jose Marti seeks to organize the Cuban people in a revolution against Spanish colonialism and for an independent republican government. Marti was particularly concerned with lessening the dependence on industry and loosening ties with the U.S. He dies in 1895, before a resolution is met.

1898
The U.S. intervenes by declaring war on Spain. The Spanish-American war ends quickly and the U.S. occupies Cuba for a brief period.

1901-1902
Cuba drafts a Constitution that bears the Platt Amendment. This Amendment outlines the relationship that is to take place between the U.S. and Cuba. While Cuba is effectively liberated, the U.S. maintains what some feel is an overwhelming presence. Tomas Estrada Palma, a successor of Marti's in the Cuban Revolutionary Party, becomes the first president of the new republic.

1903-1920
Although conditions are favorable for the new republic, there is a lack of national sentiment and corruption within the polls. Many Cubans assume a dependence on the U.S. as established in the Platt Amendment. A series of U.S. interventions in Cuban affairs only bolsters this notion that the U.S. will bail them out of any situation.

1920s
A new nationalist sentiment forms among the students and intellectuals fostering revolutionary ideas of academic reform. Emerging groups are influenced by the Cordoba Reform Movement in Argentina, as well as the Mexican and Russian revolutions. By mid-decade the Cuban Communist Party is formed.

1930-1934
The "re-election" of President Gerardo Machado is met with much opposition, especially within the student population. Machado is eventually overthrown, with the help of U.S. intervention. Fulgencio Batista heads the army in a competition with the students ("The Generation of 1930") for ruling power. Many social and economic reforms are proposed, particularly in the field of labor. In 1934, Batista is effectively given power and the U.S. openly supports his leadership.
*Lucia (Part Two)

1935-1940
Student opposition to the government remains strong as Batista reinstates many of Machado's associates. A major labor strike is staged but Batista's military forces prove too strong. With Batista's influence being felt through the use of "puppet presidents", he began to institute many social reforms. Batista's rule was not without corruption but there was an effort made to improve conditions among the people. A new constitution was adopted in 1940.

1940s
Batista is elected president and gains support from a range of political forces. Cuba strengthens ties with the U.S. during WW II. Batista's presidential successors are confronted by their former allies in the anti-Machado campaign. Several urban, revolutionary groups made up of members of the Generation of 1930, rise to prominence. Fidel Castro attends high school in Havana and is influenced by totalitarian ideals.

1950s
The Ortodoxo party gains power in the political arena. They advocate social justice, economic independence and nationalism. Once again the student population has a party to stand behind. However, the leader of the Ortodoxo party shoots himself during a live radio address. Castro runs as an Ortodoxo candidate for the House of Representatives. Batista shocks the country by staging a military coup. Batista's dictatorship has a stabilizing effect on the economy but he never really gains the loyalty of the people. Castro supports the move to use violence against Batista, but his initial attack is a failure. Student riots and acts of terrorism are met with counterterrorist acts by the government. Towards the end of the decade the university closes for nearly three years. The U.S. enacts an arms embargo. Batista's regime weakens and is overthrown.

1960s
The beginning of Castro's socialist regime. Women are given a more militant role within society. Castro emphasizes his anti-U.S. sentiments. The Cuban Communist Party becomes the official party. The Rebel Army is formed concurrently with a National Militia.
*For the First Time, 79 Springtimes, Death of a Bureaucrat, Lucia (Part Three), I Am Cuba

1960
Cuba signs a trade agreement with the Soviet Union as the U.S. enacts a trade embargo. The U.S. trains Cuban exiles pending an attack on Castro's regime. Guerilla groups form throughout Cuba. The Bay of Pigs Invasion occurs on April 17^th.

1962
Cuba's ties to the Soviet Union grow stronger following the failed Invasion attempt. The Cuban Missile Crisis comes to a head in October.

1964
The OAS votes to sever any remaining ties with Cuba. Mexico refuses claiming support for Cuba's "self-determination." Relations with the Soviet Union are somewhat strained as Castro sets up allegiances with China and attempts to impose his revolutionary might throughout Latin America.

1970s
Castro focuses on effecting revolution in Central America and Africa. The Allende regime in Chile is overthrown. The Sandinista victory in Nicaragua is a testament to Castro's advocation of violence and guerilla warfare. Development and expansion of the Communist Party of Cuba takes place. The Armed Forces' role is downplayed as a professional military is established. Castro expounds his anti-bureaucratic sentiments.

1980s
The Revolution reaches a critical stage. Ration lines are long and employment is low. Cubans begin to grow weary about the declining social situations but they remain in favor of Castro's leadership. Violent rebellion for the revolution remains the cornerstone of Castro's foreign policy. Castro sides with Argentina in the Falklands War. Ties with the Soviet Union remain strong and relations with China improve. The U.S. starts to realize that Castro's actions are not motivated by the economy, which is continuously disrupted by revolutionary mobilization. The per capita debt becomes the highest in Latin America (four times Brazil's).

1990s-Present
The collapse of communism in the Soviet Union has devastated Cuba's economy. Castro gives more power to the military to enact economic reform. Many reforms have been instituted to try and alleviate the strain that has been placed on the people. Free agricultural markets are allowed in an effort to avoid a food shortage. The number of visas issued to travelers going to the U.S. is also increased as a way to bring money and goods to relatives on the island. In the early 1990s the U.S. accepted Cuban refugees that sailed from Cuba on rafts. More recently, these rafts have been intercepted and sent back to the island if clear cases of political persecution cannot be shown. Castro has also recently cutback on economic reforms maintaining Cuba's communist stance as the U.S. has tightened its own restrictions on the country.
*The Greening of Cuba, Strawberry and Chocolate, Bitter Sugar, Guantanamera

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