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1492
Christopher Columbus claims Cuba as Spain's territory
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1526
Slaves from Africa first arrive in Cuba
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Ten Year War
Revolutionary leader, Maj. Gen. Calixto Garcia leads fight for independence from Spain. Fail to win. -
Civil revolt against spanish rule
revolt lead by José Martí and Gen. Máximo Gómez (rebels) -
Spanish-American war
A short war. U.S defeats Spain and now has control of Cuba. U.S military begins occupation on the island. -
The Platt Amendment
Established the condition that the U.S could intervene in Cuba. Allowed the U.S to lease land and create a naval base. -
Gerardo Machado elected president
Gerardo ran on the "platform of regeneration" promising to invest in Cuba's infrastructure -
Cuban Communist Party is established
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"Sergeant's revolt"
President Machado resigns. Carlos Manuel de Céspedes becomes provisional pres. but is overthrown by student led coup that was led by sgt. Fulgencio Batista -
Batista becomes the head of the army and the 'de facto' leader of cuba
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Democratic elections are held
Batista wins the presidency and implements a new constitution. Run a corrupt police state -
Batista's second term in office
Batista becomes increasingly repressive during this second term -
Fidel Castro leads uprising against Batista
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26th of July Movement
Fidel and Che Guevara join together and launch guerrilla war against Batista -
Batista leaves Cuba
Guerrilla fighters drive Batista out of Cuba. Fidel Castro becomes prime minister -
U.S businesses in Cuba are nationalized w/o compensation
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Pedro Pan
Through 1962 -
The U.S breaks relations with Cuba
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Castro states the Cuba is a communist state
Allies with the Soviet Union -
Bay of Pigs Invasion
abortive invasion by Cuban exile -
Cuban missile crisis
Castro agreed to allow the Soviet union to put nuclear missiles on the island. led to an almost nuclear war -
Cuba sends troops to Africa
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Mariel Exodus
Around 125,000 exiles flee to the U.S -
The Soviet Union collapses
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U.S tightens the embargo
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U.S agrees to admit 20,000 Cubans a year
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Trade embargo made permanent
Due to Cuba shooting down US aircraft -
Elian found on Florida coast
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Elian joins his dad in Cuba
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Obama and raul Castro talk
talk about normalizing diplomatic relations -
Fidel Castro passes away
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New president elected