caribbean current events skits

Caribbean Current EventsCaribbean Current Events Skits: Background InfoSkits: Background Info

By Christine LeeBy Christine Lee& Lisa Vagnoni& Lisa Vagnoni

Cuba: Cuban Missile CrisisCuba: Cuban Missile Crisis

October 14th – 28th, 1962 The most frightening clash of the Cold War US spy airplanes detect Soviet nuclear

missiles in Cuba – in range to hit US Oct 16: President JFK demands removal of

the nuclear weapons US blockade Soviet ships headed for Cuba Confrontation ends when Soviets withdraw

missile, and US promises not to invade Cuba

Cuban Missile Launch SiteCuban Missile Launch Site

The Cabinet RoomThe Cabinet Room

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Focus / QuestionsFocus / Questions

Tensions with Communist countries Soviet Union vs. United States Universal impact of nuclear weapons

How do nuclear weapons affect the world today?

Jamaica: Hurricane GilbertJamaica: Hurricane Gilbert

September 12, 1988 Tore directly through the island Caused inland flooding Destroyed crops, buildings, roads Hotels and clubs were left in shambles Damaged half of entire water supply Damage: $4 billion Casualty: 45 people Homeless: 500,000 people

Hurricane GilbertHurricane Gilbert

Hurricane Gilbert’s PathHurricane Gilbert’s Path

Jamaica: Hurricane IvanJamaica: Hurricane Ivan

September 11-12, 2004 Caused severe wind and flood damage Looters roamed the streets of Kingston Robbed emergency workers at gunpoint Damage: $360 million Casualty: 17 people Homeless: 18,000 people

Hurricane IvanHurricane Ivan

Hurricane Ivan’s PathHurricane Ivan’s Path

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Focus / QuestionsFocus / Questions

Vulnerability of Caribbean islands to frequent natural disasters

How do natural disasters affect the economy of Caribbean countries?

How can these Caribbean islands prepare for future natural disasters?

The Bahamas: Urban Renewal The Bahamas: Urban Renewal Community ProjectCommunity Project

Created Prime Minister & Police Commissioner; launched in 2002

Attacks problems in inner-city communities Crime, poor housing, unemployment,

illiteracy, homeless, HIV/AIDS Removed abandoned vehicles & buildings,

dismantled street drug peddling groups, arrested a number of criminals

Community-based partnership & problem solving approach improved quality of life

Tackled the root causes of crime & violence

City SlumsCity Slums

Bahamian Police Help OutBahamian Police Help Out

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Focus / QuestionsFocus / Questions

Political and economic stability compared to other Caribbean countries, but very prone to social problems

How do the Caribbean nations contrast with their common façade (i.e. on travel brochures)?

Dominican Rep: Parsley MassacreDominican Rep: Parsley Massacre

1937 Massacring of Haitians Suffering from farmable land shortages,

Haitians migrated into DR DR dictator, Rafael Trujillo (ruled 1930-61)

ordered his army to wipe out the Haitian population in the borderlands of DR

Resulted in death of 19-20,000 Haitians Lasted five days: Oct 2nd – 8th, 1937 Today: about a million illegal Haitian

immigrants live in DR

Rafael TrujilloRafael Trujillo

HispaniolaHispaniola

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Focus / QuestionsFocus / Questions

Continuing problem of immigration Effects of dictatorship Dictatorship is in Cuba & was in Haiti

What are the effects of illegal immigration in the country (DR)?

What kind of problems can be seen in the country of emigration (Haiti)?

Haiti: AristideHaiti: Aristide

Feb 1990: elected president Sept 1991: overthrown by a military coup;

Aristide is forced into exile 1991-94: Cédras regime Oct 1994: returns to finish his term in

office; wins the support of lower classes, but unpopular among upper classes

Feb 2001: elected president again, but economy suffers with social discords

Feb 2004: exiled again to S. Africa

Jean-Bertrand AristideJean-Bertrand Aristide

Haitian ProtestsHaitian Protests

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Focus / QuestionsFocus / Questions

Political instability The divide between wealthy & poor

Why do countries that gained independence much earlier suffer more from political instability and severe economic problems than the countries that gained independence much later?