Latin America:Cuban Revolution & Zapatistas

The Cuban Revolution

• In 1898, the US defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War and Cuba won its independence.

• For many years Cuba was the richest country in the Caribbean.

• In the 1950’s Batista was Cuba’s leader and dictator.

• Fidel Castro led a small rebel group to try and overthrow Batista in 1953. He was not successful until 1959 and is still in control.

• Castro promised . . . –To bring back free elections & a free press–Increase foreign investment–No private businesses would be taken away

• INSTEAD . . . –Castro set up a Communist system of government similar to the USSR

• The U.S. broke relations with Cuba in January 1961 due to alliance with the USSR. (Cold War)

• Hundreds of thousands of Cubans fled Cuba because of Castro’s communist policies . . . Many live in Florida today.

The Zapatistas

Who were the Zapatistas?

• Native American guerrilla movement rising up against the Mexican government.

• Guerrilla –a small group of fighters who use surprise attacks to defeat a stronger force.

• Called themselves the Zapatista National Liberation Army

•Named after Emiliano Zapata, an Indian farmer and hero of the 1910 Mexican Revolution

What did the Zapatistas protest against?

• They began their revolt just hours after NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) was signed on Jan. 1, 1994.

*NAFTA eliminated the trade barriers and tariffs between the USA, Canada and Mexico.

• Poor Mexican farmers did NOT like NAFTA because cheap corn and other food products from the US began to flood into Mexico. – This forced Mexican farmers to charge LESS for their crops.

What did the Zapatistas do?

• Seized control of 4 major towns in Chiapas (state in Mexico).– More than 100 people were killed in the fighting between the

rebels and government troops.

• Government regained control and called for a cease-fire.-Negotiations began between the government and

rebels.

What was the impact of the Zapatista movement?

• Several political reforms were put into place to improve the lives of Native Americans in Mexico.

•Housing & Education•Fair distribution of land•Laws ensuring that Native Americans were

represented in the national legislature.

•However . . . the government has been unable to meet these needs, so these farmers have formed self-governing communities to take care of themselves.