The native Amerindian
population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the
island by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and following its development as
a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of
African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations,
and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets
bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule, marked initially by
neglect, became increasingly repressive, provoking an independence
movement and occasional rebellions that were harshly suppressed. It was
US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 that finally
overthrew Spanish rule. The subsequent Treaty of Paris established
Cuban independence, which was granted in 1902 after a three-year
transition period. Fidel Castro led a rebel army to victory in 1959;
his iron rule has held the regime together since then. Cuba's Communist
revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America
and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. The country is now
slowly recovering from a severe economic downturn in 1990, following
the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies, worth $4 billion to $6
billion annually. Cuba portrays its difficulties as the result of the
US embargo in place since 1961.
Spanish
is spoken.
Did You Know?
- The US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased to the
US, and only mutual
agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease.