Cuba War and Peace: Essential Questions (2016)

Students (grades 8-12+) will understand the key geopolitical, historical, social and internal dynamics of U.S-Cuba relations, 1895-present.  Learners evaluate the role of geography, imperialism, slavery, island ethnicity, resources and power, which have shaped Cuba’s culture over time. Students consider the causes and consequences of the Cuban Revolution, including the Batista regime, independence movements of Latin America and Cold War geopolitics. Particular attention is paid to the Eisenhower, Castro, Khrushchev and Kennedy administrations, including the Bay of Pigs incident, Cuban Missile Crisis and the Trading with the Enemy Act that has criminalized travel to Cuba since 1960.