QUIZ: Castro

There will be a quiz over the Castro unit on Friday 12/1. You will be required to answer two of the following prompts, assigned at random. There will also be a document analysis section.

• "The main reason Castro came to power in 1959 was because of Batista's mistakes." To what extent do you agree?
• Examine two of Castro's social policies.
• Using specific examples, explain the shifts in Cuba economic policies through time. Include a discussion of Communist and Capitalist economic systems.
• Evaluate the methods Castro used to maintain power. Include foreign and domestic affairs.
• Explain the cause, course, and consequences of either The Bay of Pigs Invasion or Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile Crisis

Agenda 11/16:

Students learned about the Bay of Pigs invasion and Cuban Missile Crisis. I emphasized that both events served to empower Castro's status as he made himself look like a hero that had repelled the United States. These events also gave Castro the justification to repress the Cuban population, repression political dissent, eliminating free press, and greater control of the country.

Early Reforms and the USSR

Agenda 11/14:

1. Students read pages 68-73 in Pearson focusing on the costs and benefits of Castro's regime in the early 60s. 
2. Students also identified major events that helped solidify the Cuban-Soviet relationship.
3. Lastly, students analyzed a series of documents preceding the Bay of Pigs invasion and prepared brief presentations from their group's perspective to the John F. Kennedy group, recommending different actions in dealing with Castro.

DUE: 
Castro Vocab Quiz - 11/16

To the Cuban Revolution

Agenda 11/7:

1. Students learned about Fidel Castro's imprisonment after the failed attack on the Moncada barracks. They read excerpts from his book, History Will Absolve Me, highlighting problems and solutions identified by Fidel Castro.
2. Students read Pearson pgs. 60-63 about the Cuban Revolution, keeping track of Batista's Weaknesses and the Rebel's Strengths on a t-chart.

Mao Quiz and Intro to Castro

Agenda 10/28-11/6:

1. Students took a quiz on Mao.
2. Students began looking at Cuba. I gave a brief lecture about the Spanish-American war and events leading up to the Cuban Revolution [below].
3. Students participated in a mixer activities about different people involved in Cuban history.
4. Students learned about pre-Revolution Cuba, reading this article.

Cuban Revolution Context: