historical background, pre-1959

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    Created by
    Ruby Squires

    Cards (9)

    • Caribbean was regarded by the USA as its own ‘back yard’
    • America was determined to maintain stability there to protect its own national interests 
    • Cuban constitution gave the USA rights of intervention, and required Cuba to provide land for naval bases
    • The USA had a huge influence in the affairs of this apparently independent state but presented its relationship with Cuba as a ‘benign and benevolent one’
    • December 1956 – Fidel Castro returned from exile with this brother, Raul Castro, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara (Argentine revolutionary) and 79 supporters
    • Castro and his followers were dubbed ‘los barbudos’ – the bearded ones 
    • After a guerrilla campaign against President Batista’s regime, Castro gained lots of support
    • 1 Jan 1959 – Batista’s regime collapsed and Castro rode triumphantly into Havana (capital)
    • Immediate question: how would the USA respond to this revolution, and what impact would the response have on international relations in general?