To sum it up: The United States’ pride is hurt.
Oof. I can already see those anti-castro people throw bananas at me from their warm coast in Florida. Mouhaha. Well, yes it’s true. Let’s go through history and have a good laugh, shall we?
So! Early 18th century, Cuba which was still a Spanish colony and the North American mainland began to do some illegal trading in order to elude colonial taxes. More this pattern went on, and more Cuba became prosperous. Obviously, the States really liked sugar and tobacco! Eventually Spain opened Cuban ports to North American commerce officially and the colony became highly dependent on trade.
Then, around 1820, you have Thomas Jefferson who realizes the potential of Cuba and states “the most interesting addition which could ever be made to our system of States” while John C. Calhoun, Secretary of war (no less!) declares that the United States “ought, at the first possible opportunity, to take Cuba”. Oooh, already, the intents are starting to show. They were even talking of an annexation of Cuba within half a century.
Around 1877, the United Stated represented about 82% of Cuba’s total exports. That sort of power gave to the US a control over prices and of course, production levels. It has been noted by some traveller that “The trade of the country is falling into the hands of foreigners, Havana will soon be as American as New Orleans.” Americans were moving in, and tried to abuse the weak economy of the country during the Ten Years’ War. Obviously, things haven’t changed that much…
Around the rebel war of independence of 1897, William McKinley (US President) offered to buy Cuba for $320 million. The rejection of the offer along with an explosion that sunk one of the US battleship, led to the Spanish-American War which has been closed with the signature of the Treaty of Paris. It meant that finally, Cuba was no more a colony of Spain but was pretty close to becoming part of the U.S. In order to succeed, the US-owned “Island of Cuba Real Estate Company” opened for business to sell Cuban land to Americans. HAHA. Also, U.S. military was on the island until Cuba was finally granted formal independence, in 1902. Is it me or the patterns REALLY didn’t change changed in over a century?
Anyway! We all know the U.S. wouldn’t have withdrawn for no reason or with no gain. As such, Cuba had to sign the Platt Amendment which basically stated that the U.S. government could intervene in Cuban political, economic and military affairs if necessary. That Amendment was to be respected for the next 33 years and needless to say that most Cubans didn’t like it at all. Another consequence of the amendment gave the States continued use of the southern portion of Guantanamo Bay, where the United States Naval Station was established.
In 1912, U.S. forces returned to Cuba to quell protests by Afro-Cubans against discrimination. Around 1926, 60% of the Cuban sugar industry was owned by U.S. Companies, 95% of the total Cuban crop was imported. In 1933, the rebels overthrew the government in place and Roosevelt panicked. He ordered 29 warships to Cuba and Key West, and warned U.S. Marines for use if necessary. The rebel leader assumed presidency of the island and immediately nullified the Platt Amendment. That was the beginning of “Cuba’s communist! Cuba’s irresponsible!” cries from the U.S., as they refused to recognize the new president’s government.
General Batista was a close friend of the U.S. and when he became President of Cuba for two terms, he made sure the two countries would co-operate as much as possible. Batista’s second spell as President is known to be initiated by a military coup planned in Florida, and President Truman quickly acknowledged Batista’s return and offered military and economic aide. Basically, the U.S. were dominating Cuba at that time, through private U.S.-owned companies. Still, we recognize the imperialist habit.
We also have this wonderful quote that was said while Castro took over Cuba with the rebels, that was said by U.S. State advisor William Wieland: “I know Batista is considered by many as a son of a bitch…but American interests come first… at least he was our son of a bitch.” So…great!
So in 1959, when the great Cuban revolution was finally over and Batista’s government was disbanded, President Eisenhower officially recognized the new Cuban government but quickly started to get worried about the large reforms and nationalization of US-owned industries. Who wouldn’t be! You treat people wrong, the abused says ok, that’s enough, go back home. Here, take a few pennies for the trouble. At least we will be happy and we’ll finally work to benefit our economy, not yours.
So when Castro met with Vice-president Nixon, he outlined his reform plans for Cuba. The U.S. started to freak out, seeing how it would be a threat to the U.S. business relation with the island. They started to restrict relations with Cuba at that time. In fact, Ambassador Bonsal met Fidel Castro to express “serious concern at the treatment being given to American PRIVATE INTERESTS in Cuba both agriculture and utilities.” You have to understand that, at that time, everything or so, was U.S. owned, any country that wants a bit of independency, got to take control of what she produces in order to be self-sufficient and not clingy to some other, just like the child has to eventually move out of the parents’ house and earn his own money to covers his own needs.
As Castro continued to reform things, trade restrictions on Cuba increased. Eventually, it reached a point where the island got in huge problems since they were unable to get petrol or other important resources. The U.S. Embargo got more and more prominent and Eisenhower authorized from behind closed doors the CIA to organize, train and equip Cuban refugees as a guerilla force to overthrow Castro. In 1960, the embargo was completed since every single time Cuba’s government was nationalizing a U.S.-owned company, the U.S. government was taking countermeasures. As a result, Cuba found new allies in the Soviet Union.
It’s hard to skip the beautiful failure of about 1500 CIA Cuban exiles trying to invade the island from the Bay of the Pigs. Kennedy declaring publically his responsibility for the event, pissed off the Cubans and they literally kicked the invaders out. Needless to say that the United States wouldn’t take that as a small offense, and they started to plan more and more ways to overthrow their neighbour’s government. Failure as the ultimate signature, all the next presidents tried to have Castro murdered, for a total of -638- times! Funny when you think that he just retired because he is actually greatly ill, and it’s by no mean because of the States.
So when we hear that the U.S. government still spends, in 2008, millions of dollars to try to conquer Cuba, with wronged propaganda filled with lies, insane plans and preparation of coup against their leadership…we can easily conclude that the U.S. still doesn’t accept the defeat. Thanks to Obama though, if he does manage to get elected, that stupid Embargo and manipulation of other countries will finally stop. Because not only are the U.S. snubbing Cuba and trying to get involved in what doesn’t concern them, but they also threaten other countries to stop business with them or punish them for dealing with Cuba.
Of course, Canada being on the top list of those doing business with Cuba, and first provider of oil for the U.S. …I guess they are choosing who they are snubbing. After all, American interests come first!
Cuba, will never be part of the United States so now, please, stop acting like children, damn presidents! Also, if you will excuse me…I will go wait by the door, the CIA should arrive soon…
-Sabbi
