[Music] after decades of hostility embargoes and
after decades of hostility embargoes and
after decades of hostility embargoes and travel bans can these two nations figure
travel bans can these two nations figure
travel bans can these two nations figure out how to play nice welcome to
out how to play nice welcome to
out how to play nice welcome to watchmojo.com down ten crucial facts you
watchmojo.com down ten crucial facts you
watchmojo.com down ten crucial facts you should know about Cuban US relations
should know about Cuban US relations
should know about Cuban US relations number 10 how was Cuba formed the island
number 10 how was Cuba formed the island
number 10 how was Cuba formed the island of Cuba was colonized by Spain
of Cuba was colonized by Spain
of Cuba was colonized by Spain shortly after Christopher Columbus
shortly after Christopher Columbus
shortly after Christopher Columbus reached the Americas and remained a
reached the Americas and remained a
reached the Americas and remained a Spanish colony until after 1898
Spanish colony until after 1898
Spanish colony until after 1898 spanish-american war that war was in
spanish-american war that war was in
spanish-american war that war was in turn caused by the Americans decision to
turn caused by the Americans decision to
turn caused by the Americans decision to intervene in the Cuban War of
intervene in the Cuban War of
intervene in the Cuban War of Independence which began in 1895 thanks
Independence which began in 1895 thanks
Independence which began in 1895 thanks in large part to the shadowy sinking of
in large part to the shadowy sinking of
in large part to the shadowy sinking of the USS Maine Navy ship near Havana and
the USS Maine Navy ship near Havana and
the USS Maine Navy ship near Havana and fantastical propaganda and yellow
fantastical propaganda and yellow
fantastical propaganda and yellow journalism put forth by news men like
journalism put forth by news men like
journalism put forth by news men like Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph
Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph
Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst ultimately Spain initiated the
Hearst ultimately Spain initiated the
Hearst ultimately Spain initiated the peace process when it was clear they
peace process when it was clear they
peace process when it was clear they were to be defeated and on December 10th
were to be defeated and on December 10th
were to be defeated and on December 10th 1898 the US and Spain each signed the
1898 the US and Spain each signed the
1898 the US and Spain each signed the Treaty of Paris this Agreement gave the
Treaty of Paris this Agreement gave the
Treaty of Paris this Agreement gave the Americans control of Puerto Rico Guam
Americans control of Puerto Rico Guam
Americans control of Puerto Rico Guam and the Philippine Islands indefinitely
and the Philippine Islands indefinitely
and the Philippine Islands indefinitely and of Cuba temporarily by 1902 Cuba was
and of Cuba temporarily by 1902 Cuba was
and of Cuba temporarily by 1902 Cuba was ready to administer itself and control
ready to administer itself and control
ready to administer itself and control was passed to a native government number
was passed to a native government number
was passed to a native government number 9 how did the current Cuban government
9 how did the current Cuban government
9 how did the current Cuban government come to power after leading a revolt in
come to power after leading a revolt in
come to power after leading a revolt in 1933 to remove the established
1933 to remove the established
1933 to remove the established government rule hence EO Batista himself
government rule hence EO Batista himself
government rule hence EO Batista himself came to power as president of Cuba
came to power as president of Cuba
came to power as president of Cuba backed by the democratic socialist
backed by the democratic socialist
backed by the democratic socialist coalition known for his progressive
coalition known for his progressive
coalition known for his progressive policies he remained in the post for
policies he remained in the post for
policies he remained in the post for four years in 1952 he decided again to
four years in 1952 he decided again to
four years in 1952 he decided again to run for the presidency and facing the
run for the presidency and facing the
run for the presidency and facing the prospect of defeat staged a military
prospect of defeat staged a military
prospect of defeat staged a military coup which allowed his return to power
coup which allowed his return to power
coup which allowed his return to power over the next seven years
over the next seven years
over the next seven years Batista ignored his previously reformist
Batista ignored his previously reformist
Batista ignored his previously reformist policies and instead became a de facto
policies and instead became a de facto
policies and instead became a de facto dictator seeking to amass personal
dictator seeking to amass personal
dictator seeking to amass personal wealth allowing organized crime to
wealth allowing organized crime to
wealth allowing organized crime to flourish and transforming the country
flourish and transforming the country
flourish and transforming the country into a police state that saw the
into a police state that saw the
into a police state that saw the execution
execution
execution of an estimated 20,000 people over his
of an estimated 20,000 people over his
of an estimated 20,000 people over his tenure shortly after Batista seized
tenure shortly after Batista seized
tenure shortly after Batista seized power young rebels like Fidel Castro and
power young rebels like Fidel Castro and
power young rebels like Fidel Castro and his brother Raul initiated a plan to
his brother Raul initiated a plan to
his brother Raul initiated a plan to overthrow him eventually gaining the
overthrow him eventually gaining the
overthrow him eventually gaining the support of Ernesto Che Guevara while
support of Ernesto Che Guevara while
support of Ernesto Che Guevara while their plans during the Cuban Revolution
their plans during the Cuban Revolution
their plans during the Cuban Revolution failed at the end of 1958 the United
failed at the end of 1958 the United
failed at the end of 1958 the United States told Batista they could no longer
States told Batista they could no longer
States told Batista they could no longer support him and suggested he flee the
support him and suggested he flee the
support him and suggested he flee the country which he did Fidel Castro then
country which he did Fidel Castro then
country which he did Fidel Castro then took over as Prime Minister installing
took over as Prime Minister installing
took over as Prime Minister installing his own man as president number eight
his own man as president number eight
his own man as president number eight what is the political party of Cuba
what is the political party of Cuba
what is the political party of Cuba Fidel Castro has been a huge part of
Fidel Castro has been a huge part of
Fidel Castro has been a huge part of Cuban politics since he helped oust
Cuban politics since he helped oust
Cuban politics since he helped oust Batista in 1959 his legacy as a
Batista in 1959 his legacy as a
Batista in 1959 his legacy as a politician and revolutionary is firmly
politician and revolutionary is firmly
politician and revolutionary is firmly entrenched in Cuban history as he’s
entrenched in Cuban history as he’s
entrenched in Cuban history as he’s taken on many positions in the almost 50
taken on many positions in the almost 50
taken on many positions in the almost 50 years he served in office acting as
years he served in office acting as
years he served in office acting as prime minister from 1959 to 1976 and as
prime minister from 1959 to 1976 and as
prime minister from 1959 to 1976 and as president from 1976 till 2008 he’s known
president from 1976 till 2008 he’s known
president from 1976 till 2008 he’s known for converting Cuba into the first
for converting Cuba into the first
for converting Cuba into the first communist state in the West during his
communist state in the West during his
communist state in the West during his reign he reformed Cuban society by
reign he reformed Cuban society by
reign he reformed Cuban society by providing free health care and education
providing free health care and education
providing free health care and education to Cubans by promising employment to all
to Cubans by promising employment to all
to Cubans by promising employment to all citizens and by overseeing the
citizens and by overseeing the
citizens and by overseeing the nationalization of enterprises and
nationalization of enterprises and
nationalization of enterprises and assets that were previously owned by
assets that were previously owned by
assets that were previously owned by foreign entities primarily the US
foreign entities primarily the US
foreign entities primarily the US however with an American trade embargo
however with an American trade embargo
however with an American trade embargo in place the Cuban economy struggled
in place the Cuban economy struggled
in place the Cuban economy struggled Fidel Castro was succeeded as president
Fidel Castro was succeeded as president
Fidel Castro was succeeded as president of Cuba by his brother Raul in 2008
of Cuba by his brother Raul in 2008
of Cuba by his brother Raul in 2008 number 7 what led the u.s. to break ties
number 7 what led the u.s. to break ties
number 7 what led the u.s. to break ties with Cuba the Cuban Revolution proved to
with Cuba the Cuban Revolution proved to
with Cuba the Cuban Revolution proved to be a defining moment in relations
be a defining moment in relations
be a defining moment in relations between the United States and Cuba
between the United States and Cuba
between the United States and Cuba Castro was offended that the Americans
Castro was offended that the Americans
Castro was offended that the Americans had supported Batista through the
had supported Batista through the
had supported Batista through the revolution the Americans on the other
revolution the Americans on the other
revolution the Americans on the other hand were worried that Castro’s
hand were worried that Castro’s
hand were worried that Castro’s communist ideology would spread to other
communist ideology would spread to other
communist ideology would spread to other Latin American countries that coupled
Latin American countries that coupled
Latin American countries that coupled with the Cubans relationship with the
with the Cubans relationship with the
with the Cubans relationship with the USSR engendered mistrust with the US as
USSR engendered mistrust with the US as
USSR engendered mistrust with the US as the country was locked in the cold war
the country was locked in the cold war
the country was locked in the cold war with the Soviets a war that had no
with the Soviets a war that had no
with the Soviets a war that had no full-scale fighting but which lasted
full-scale fighting but which lasted
full-scale fighting but which lasted decades and involved psychological
decades and involved psychological
decades and involved psychological warfare and an arms race and so on
warfare and an arms race and so on
warfare and an arms race and so on October 19th 1960
October 19th 1960
October 19th 1960 Eisenhower administration placed an
Eisenhower administration placed an
Eisenhower administration placed an embargo on exports to Cuba
embargo on exports to Cuba
embargo on exports to Cuba with the exception of food and medicine
with the exception of food and medicine
with the exception of food and medicine this restriction was expanded within a
this restriction was expanded within a
this restriction was expanded within a few years to include all imports the
few years to include all imports the
few years to include all imports the u.s. aimed to use this embargo as a tool
u.s. aimed to use this embargo as a tool
u.s. aimed to use this embargo as a tool to force the Cubans towards
to force the Cubans towards
to force the Cubans towards democratization and to improve their
democratization and to improve their
democratization and to improve their human rights record number six why did
human rights record number six why did
human rights record number six why did the u.s. attack Cuba because of their
the u.s. attack Cuba because of their
the u.s. attack Cuba because of their leery nassif the direction in which
leery nassif the direction in which
leery nassif the direction in which Castro was leading the country u.s.
Castro was leading the country u.s.
Castro was leading the country u.s. President Dwight D Eisenhower approved a
President Dwight D Eisenhower approved a
President Dwight D Eisenhower approved a plan to overthrow the Cuban government
plan to overthrow the Cuban government
plan to overthrow the Cuban government with thirteen million dollars allocated
with thirteen million dollars allocated
with thirteen million dollars allocated to the CIA to fund the operation when
to the CIA to fund the operation when
to the CIA to fund the operation when John F Kennedy took office in January
John F Kennedy took office in January
John F Kennedy took office in January 1961 he was informed of the plan and
1961 he was informed of the plan and
1961 he was informed of the plan and gave his approval for the mission to
gave his approval for the mission to
gave his approval for the mission to move forward on April 17 1961 the
move forward on April 17 1961 the
move forward on April 17 1961 the Americans attacked the Bay of Pigs
Americans attacked the Bay of Pigs
Americans attacked the Bay of Pigs although the Americans initially
although the Americans initially
although the Americans initially overwhelmed the Cubans in number
overwhelmed the Cubans in number
overwhelmed the Cubans in number fighting lasted two days with Cuban
fighting lasted two days with Cuban
fighting lasted two days with Cuban forces eventually overtaking the
forces eventually overtaking the
forces eventually overtaking the paramilitaries and sending them back to
paramilitaries and sending them back to
paramilitaries and sending them back to the United States it was an
the United States it was an
the United States it was an embarrassment for the Kennedy
embarrassment for the Kennedy
embarrassment for the Kennedy administration and led to several
administration and led to several
administration and led to several in-depth investigations number five who
in-depth investigations number five who
in-depth investigations number five who were the Cubans allies Castro modeled
were the Cubans allies Castro modeled
were the Cubans allies Castro modeled his Cuba and brand of communism after
his Cuba and brand of communism after
his Cuba and brand of communism after that of the Soviet Union he formed even
that of the Soviet Union he formed even
that of the Soviet Union he formed even closer ties to the USSR after the u.s.
closer ties to the USSR after the u.s.
closer ties to the USSR after the u.s. put in place the trade embargo instead
put in place the trade embargo instead
put in place the trade embargo instead of facing economic ruin Cuba forged
of facing economic ruin Cuba forged
of facing economic ruin Cuba forged trade ties with the Soviets in addition
trade ties with the Soviets in addition
trade ties with the Soviets in addition both Castro and Soviet leader Nikita
both Castro and Soviet leader Nikita
both Castro and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev feared that the US would
Khrushchev feared that the US would
Khrushchev feared that the US would invade Cuba after their failed attempt
invade Cuba after their failed attempt
invade Cuba after their failed attempt at the Bay of Pigs that coupled with the
at the Bay of Pigs that coupled with the
at the Bay of Pigs that coupled with the fact that the Americans had placed
fact that the Americans had placed
fact that the Americans had placed ballistic missiles in both Italy and
ballistic missiles in both Italy and
ballistic missiles in both Italy and Turkey led to the Cuban Missile Crisis
Turkey led to the Cuban Missile Crisis
Turkey led to the Cuban Missile Crisis which began on October 14th 1962 the
which began on October 14th 1962 the
which began on October 14th 1962 the Soviets deployed nuclear weapons to Cuba
Soviets deployed nuclear weapons to Cuba
Soviets deployed nuclear weapons to Cuba to deter the Americans from invading the
to deter the Americans from invading the
to deter the Americans from invading the closest the Cold War ever came to
closest the Cold War ever came to
closest the Cold War ever came to escalating to all-out nuclear war this
escalating to all-out nuclear war this
escalating to all-out nuclear war this conflict forced discussions between
conflict forced discussions between
conflict forced discussions between Kennedy and Khrushchev throughout
Kennedy and Khrushchev throughout
Kennedy and Khrushchev throughout October finally an agreement was reached
October finally an agreement was reached
October finally an agreement was reached wherein the Soviets and the US would
wherein the Soviets and the US would
wherein the Soviets and the US would each dismantle their weapons and the
each dismantle their weapons and the
each dismantle their weapons and the Americans would agree never to invade
Americans would agree never to invade
Americans would agree never to invade Cuba without incitement
Cuba without incitement
Cuba without incitement number four what is Cuba’s current state
number four what is Cuba’s current state
number four what is Cuba’s current state in the following years Cuba relied
in the following years Cuba relied
in the following years Cuba relied heavily on the Soviet Union in terms of
heavily on the Soviet Union in terms of
heavily on the Soviet Union in terms of Economic Development with trade between
Economic Development with trade between
Economic Development with trade between the two totaling upwards of eight point
the two totaling upwards of eight point
the two totaling upwards of eight point five billion dollars in 1989 however
five billion dollars in 1989 however
five billion dollars in 1989 however this trade decreased by over 90 percent
this trade decreased by over 90 percent
this trade decreased by over 90 percent in the early 90s as the Soviet Union
in the early 90s as the Soviet Union
in the early 90s as the Soviet Union tried to prop up its own struggling
tried to prop up its own struggling
tried to prop up its own struggling economy the dissolution of the Soviet
economy the dissolution of the Soviet
economy the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 immediately shook the
Union in 1991 immediately shook the
Union in 1991 immediately shook the Cuban economy leading to a period of
Cuban economy leading to a period of
Cuban economy leading to a period of great strife referred to as the special
great strife referred to as the special
great strife referred to as the special period which saw drastic changes in
period which saw drastic changes in
period which saw drastic changes in lifestyle diet industry and more sweep
lifestyle diet industry and more sweep
lifestyle diet industry and more sweep the country eventually Cuba formed
the country eventually Cuba formed
the country eventually Cuba formed greater economic ties with other Latin
greater economic ties with other Latin
greater economic ties with other Latin American countries notably Bolivia and
American countries notably Bolivia and
American countries notably Bolivia and Venezuela the country has also built up
Venezuela the country has also built up
Venezuela the country has also built up its tourism industry significantly using
its tourism industry significantly using
its tourism industry significantly using the proceeds from that sector to bounce
the proceeds from that sector to bounce
the proceeds from that sector to bounce back
back
back despite travel restrictions on some
despite travel restrictions on some
despite travel restrictions on some countries number three why did the u.s.
countries number three why did the u.s.
countries number three why did the u.s. suddenly change its policy on Cuba in a
suddenly change its policy on Cuba in a
suddenly change its policy on Cuba in a move that was a long time coming on
move that was a long time coming on
move that was a long time coming on December 17 2014 President Barack Obama
December 17 2014 President Barack Obama
December 17 2014 President Barack Obama announced his plan to normalize
announced his plan to normalize
announced his plan to normalize relations between the u.s. and Cuba
relations between the u.s. and Cuba
relations between the u.s. and Cuba signifying a major first step in
signifying a major first step in
signifying a major first step in bridging the gap between the nations the
bridging the gap between the nations the
bridging the gap between the nations the two countries had been engaged in secret
two countries had been engaged in secret
two countries had been engaged in secret talks that occurred in places like
talks that occurred in places like
talks that occurred in places like Canada and the Vatican for a year
Canada and the Vatican for a year
Canada and the Vatican for a year previous with the Pope having direct
previous with the Pope having direct
previous with the Pope having direct involvement in the meetings referred to
involvement in the meetings referred to
involvement in the meetings referred to as the Cuban thaw this historic and
as the Cuban thaw this historic and
as the Cuban thaw this historic and sweeping policy change was scheduled to
sweeping policy change was scheduled to
sweeping policy change was scheduled to include the lifting of the trade embargo
include the lifting of the trade embargo
include the lifting of the trade embargo as well as the slackening of travel and
as well as the slackening of travel and
as well as the slackening of travel and immigration restrictions these moves
immigration restrictions these moves
immigration restrictions these moves were set to impact Cuban society in a
were set to impact Cuban society in a
were set to impact Cuban society in a huge way number 2 how did the u.s. react
huge way number 2 how did the u.s. react
huge way number 2 how did the u.s. react to this announcement the White House
to this announcement the White House
to this announcement the White House announcement led to a quick division in
announcement led to a quick division in
announcement led to a quick division in opinions between the two major political
opinions between the two major political
opinions between the two major political parties in the United States the
parties in the United States the
parties in the United States the Republicans and the Democrats the more
Republicans and the Democrats the more
Republicans and the Democrats the more vocal opinions were drawn from 2016 US
vocal opinions were drawn from 2016 US
vocal opinions were drawn from 2016 US presidential contenders who viewed the
presidential contenders who viewed the
presidential contenders who viewed the subject as a potential platform upon
subject as a potential platform upon
subject as a potential platform upon which they could base their campaigns as
which they could base their campaigns as
which they could base their campaigns as for the thousands of Cuban exiles
for the thousands of Cuban exiles
for the thousands of Cuban exiles residing in the United States after
residing in the United States after
residing in the United States after having fled the country since the sick
having fled the country since the sick
having fled the country since the sick these opinions were also divided but
these opinions were also divided but
these opinions were also divided but angry debates within the community
angry debates within the community
angry debates within the community sparked protests and the generation gap
sparked protests and the generation gap
sparked protests and the generation gap was evident between older Cubans who
was evident between older Cubans who
was evident between older Cubans who left the country and mistrust the Castro
left the country and mistrust the Castro
left the country and mistrust the Castro government and the younger generation
government and the younger generation
government and the younger generation that was born in the United States
that was born in the United States
that was born in the United States number one how will this end in his
number one how will this end in his
number one how will this end in his final State of the Union address
final State of the Union address
final State of the Union address President Obama stated that the u.s. was
President Obama stated that the u.s. was
President Obama stated that the u.s. was ending a painfully out-of-date policy
ending a painfully out-of-date policy
ending a painfully out-of-date policy the two countries then embarked on a
the two countries then embarked on a
the two countries then embarked on a series of high-level discussions in an
series of high-level discussions in an
series of high-level discussions in an effort to advance towards reciprocal
effort to advance towards reciprocal
effort to advance towards reciprocal trade and travel agreements after 50
trade and travel agreements after 50
trade and travel agreements after 50 years of silence and mistrust on both
years of silence and mistrust on both
years of silence and mistrust on both sides officials are now inching toward
sides officials are now inching toward
sides officials are now inching toward rebuilding the estranged relationship to
rebuilding the estranged relationship to
rebuilding the estranged relationship to create a collaborative and prosperous
create a collaborative and prosperous
create a collaborative and prosperous future did these facts surprise you to
future did these facts surprise you to
future did these facts surprise you to vote for which new story is covered next
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