The Domestic Scene The limited economic changes introduced by Gen. Raúl Castro in Cuba encouraged some observers to proclaim the end of communism and the dismantling of the totalitarian system in the island. Notwithstanding Raúl Castro’s own statements that he was not elected to restore capitalism, these observers insisted on their belief that economic reforms …
1492 Christopher Columbus discovered and explored Cuba. 1508 Sebastián de Ocampo circumnavigated and explored the island. 1511 Diego Velázquez conquered the native peoples and established various settlements. 1519 Havana was relocated from its original site on the Gulf of Batabanó to its present location on the north coast. 1523 Blacks were brought from Africa to work the …
1902 The Republic was proclaimed and U.S. intervention ended. 1903 U.S.-Cuban Treaty signed whereby the United States obtained Guantanamo base. 1905 President Estrada Palma obtained a second term by defeating liberal candidate Jose Miguel Gomez. 1906 Guerrita de Agosto, a Liberal Party uprising, hastened U.S. intervention. 1906-09 Second U.S. intervention. 1908 Liberal candidate Jose Miguel Gomez won election to a …
1959 Fidel Castro assumed command and began consolidation of power. Castro visited Caracas, the United States, Canada, and Buenos Aires. First Agrarian Reform Law promulgated. Castro became prime minister and replaced Manuel Urrutia with his hand-picked candidate, Osvaldo Dorticós. Major Camilo Cienfuegos died in a plane crash. Major Huber Matos sentenced to twenty years in …
