chapter 3 cuban missile crisis

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REASONS THAT DREW AMERICAN-CUBAN TENSIONS INTO THE COLD WAR

B.I: Cuba is a major producer of sugar and tobacco which is high in demand in Europe

The significance of Cuba to the USA

1. the strategic importance of the Caribbean island

The 19th century, USA was greatly concerned about expanding and guarding ( ensuring security) of its territories

The USA introduced the Monroe Doctrine in 1823 which states that further attempts by the Europea powers to colonize or to interfere in the Americas would be viewed as acts of aggression' against the USA. ( defense measure). This is meant for the USA viewed America as its own sphere of influence which will increase the trading ties throughout the region to its south. (improves trading)

Cuba is situated very near to the USA and it acts as a gateway to the Caribbean islands which is extremely important for the security of the USA.

2. safeguarding economies interests in Cuba

pro-government is being set up in Cuba: (guard USA's economic interest) - Cubans were unhappy with Americans as their economy was over-reliant on the Americans, making it vulnerable to sudden and drastic changes in the prices of sugar.

encourages American investors to invest heavily in Cuba's sugar and tobacco industries and this becomes Cuba's economic backbone.

this government in Cuba is not allowed to make alliances with other countries without the approval of the USA.

Americans could buy land in Cuba (set up plantations and build factories)

by 1926, American companies owned 60% of the Cuban sugar industry and the USA was the major market for Cuba's sugar and tobacco.

sugar and tobacco plantations were mostly owned by the wealthy upper-class Cubans who worked with the Americans investors ( Americans and wealthy Cubans would earn more money) however, the poor Cubans would remain poor. this would then result in a large economic gap between the rich Cubans and the poor Cubans.

tensions between the USA and Cuba

1. American political intervention in Cuba

The USA frequently intervened in Cuban politics.

Cubans leaders that are less obliging to the USA