20th Century Issues in Latin America and the Caribbean
Instructions: Answer the questions on this paper in the space provided as you:
A. Complete a “picture walk” of the article, 20’th Century issues in Latin America and the Caribbean. (This will allow you to answer questions 1-13.)
B Read the article, 20’th Century issues in Latin America and the Caribbean. (This will allow you to answer the remainder of the questions.)
1. How far from the tip of Florida is the country of Cuba located? 90 miles
2. Who was Cuba’s dictator in the 1950’s? Fulgencio Batista
3. Who became the Cuban dictator in 1959? Fidel Castro
4. How did he become dictator? By overthrowing Batista
5. What happened to some American owned hotels in Cuba? They were taken over by the
government
6. What type of trade barrier did the USA impose on Cuba? embargo
7. Why was there almost a nuclear war between the Superpowers? Because Castro permitted the
Soviets to build missile launch complexes on Cuba which could send missiles to the US
8. What kinds of people did Castro allow to come to the USA? prisoners/criminals
9. Why did many Cubans die when trying to flee by boat to the USA? The boats were overcrowded and
not safe
10. Who will follow Fidel Castro as the next dictator in Cuba? Raul Castro, Fidel’s brother
11. Which country had more food exports in 2002, Mexico or the USA? USA
12. What did the Zapatistas do the day that NAFTA took effect? they took control of several towns in
southern Mexico
13. What modern technology do the Zapatista’s use to gain international support for their cause? internet
14. Cuba exported most of which crop it grew to the USA, prior to Castro taking power? Sugar cane
15. Why were many people unhappy with the rule of Fulgencio Batista? much poverty, little
education and health care
MORE ON BACK
16. What kind of government did Castro create in Cuba? communist
17. Under Fidel’s rule, what happened to all privately owned property in Cuba? It was seized by the
government
18. What freedoms did Cubans lose under Fidel’s rule? Rights to protest, freedom of the press, speech,
ownership of property, vote, religion
19. What country became Cuba’s close alley once the USA placed an embargo on the country?
Soviet Union
20. In what ways did the Cuban people benefit under Castro’s rule? Better health care and education,
especially for women and blacks who got better jobs.
21. In what ways did the US government try and keep the pressure on Cuba? Did not allow Americans
to travel to or from Cuba, and tried to keep other countries from trading with the Cubans.
22. What did Cuba want to spread to other Latin America countries? communism
23. What did US president John F. Kennedy demand when he found out the Soviets had constructed
missile launch sites in Cuba? He demanded they be removed, or said we would invade.
24. What caused a big strain on relations between the US and Cuban governments in the 1980’s and
1990’s? Castro “allowed” many undesirable people to escape Cuba and come to the US
25. Who is the planned replacement for Fidel Castro? Raul Castro
26. What do the Zapatistas support? improved rights and living conditions for Mexico’s indigenous
people.
27. Why did the Zapatistas not like NAFTA? They were afraid cheap farm products would come into
Mexico from the US, and Mexican farmers would be hurt as they would not be able to compete
28. What do the Zapatistas still want for Mexico’s indigenous people? Improved health care, housing,
education, and jobs