Philosophy of Education and Educational Philosophy
Cuba lesson
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CUBA
The Cuban Revolution
Cuba, the largest island in the West Indies, lies about 90 miles south of Key West, Florida.
Ruled by President Fidel Castro since 1959, it is the only communist country in the Americas.
Castro’s Failed Coup
1. In 1953 a young lawyer named Fidel Castro and a small band of rebels tried to overthrow the
Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. Castro wanted to make Cuba a democratic country.
a. Give your map a title. Across the top of the map, write CUBAN REVOLUTION.
b. With your finger, outline Cuba.
2. Castro and the rebels attacked the Moncada army barracks in Santiago de Cuba.
a. On the map, on the eastern end of the island, near Santiago de Cuba, write ✷ 1953.
b. Batista’s soldiers captured and imprisoned Castro on the Isle of Youth, south of the main
island, for two years. Below the Isle of Youth, write 1953–1955 PRISON.
Castro’s Victory
3. In 1955 Castro was released from prison and went into exile in Mexico.
a. Draw an arrow from the Isle of Youth west to Mexico. Above the arrow, write 1955 EXILE.
b. While in Mexico, Castro trained a guerrilla army of supporters. In 1956 Castro and about
80 rebels boarded a boat and sailed from Mexico to a beach in southwestern Cuba. Draw
an arrow from Mexico to 20°N, 77°W, just south of Manzanillo. West of the coast, write
1956 LANDING.
c. Most of the rebels were imprisoned or killed, but Castro and about a dozen followers
escaped to mountains east of Manzanillo. What is the name of that mountain range?
_________________________________________
d. In 1957 the rebels renewed their guerrilla war against Batista. Below the mountains, write
✷ 1957–1958 WAR.
4. By 1958 Castro’s forces had grown into an army of 9,000, while Batista’s government had lost the
support of the Cuban people and the United States.
a. In December rebels captured Santa Clara. Santa Clara is near 22°N, 80ºW. Draw an arrow
from the mountains northwest to Santa Clara.
b. At Santa Clara, write ✷ 1958.
c. In the legend, circle the symbol of national capital. Now circle the symbol on the map. On
January 1, 1959, Castro’s forces captured the capital of Cuba, _____________________.
d. Draw an arrow from Santa Clara to the capital. Above the capital, write 1959 VICTORY.
MAPS OF
THE MONTH