Communism in Communism in CubaCuba

HOW WELL IS IT HOW WELL IS IT WORKING?WORKING?

Who is Fidel Castro?Who is Fidel Castro?

He was born to a wealthy family and He was born to a wealthy family and received a law degree.received a law degree.

He disliked the political and He disliked the political and corporate influences of the U.S. in corporate influences of the U.S. in Cuba.Cuba.

Other children picked on him Other children picked on him because of his childhood.because of his childhood.

He got involved in politics in college.He got involved in politics in college.

How Did Castro Come to How Did Castro Come to Power?Power?

He helped in the Cuban Revolution He helped in the Cuban Revolution which overthrew Bautista (who was which overthrew Bautista (who was backed by the U.S.)backed by the U.S.)

He then rose through the ranks He then rose through the ranks (Prime Minister, Secretary of the (Prime Minister, Secretary of the Communist Party, President of the Communist Party, President of the Council of State).Council of State).

How Has the U.S. Tried to How Has the U.S. Tried to Get Rid of Communist Get Rid of Communist

Cuba?Cuba? Bay of Pigs-Bay of Pigs- Cuban exiles were Cuban exiles were

trained to take back their country trained to take back their country and failed.and failed.

Assassination Attempts by CIA- Assassination Attempts by CIA- 638638

Embargo-Embargo- We can not send Cuba We can not send Cuba any goods and we will not buy any any goods and we will not buy any goods from them.goods from them.

Cuba and the Soviet Union Cuba and the Soviet Union as BFFs!as BFFs!

The Soviet Union put missiles in Cuba The Soviet Union put missiles in Cuba (90 miles South of Key West) and (90 miles South of Key West) and caused the Cuban Missile Crisis.caused the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Soviets provided military and The Soviets provided military and economic aid to Cuba.economic aid to Cuba.

Cuba had the Soviets’ back when they Cuba had the Soviets’ back when they invaded Czechoslovakia.invaded Czechoslovakia.

They stopped being friends after They stopped being friends after Gorbachev changed economic policies Gorbachev changed economic policies in the USSR.in the USSR.

Castro’s new BFFCastro’s new BFF

Hugo Chavez sends oil to Cuba in Hugo Chavez sends oil to Cuba in exchange for Cuban doctors.exchange for Cuban doctors.

Both Anti-American.Both Anti-American.

Cuba and ChinaCuba and China

China is Cuba’s 2China is Cuba’s 2ndnd largest trading largest trading partner, after Venezuela.partner, after Venezuela.

China has given Cuba 1,000 buses.China has given Cuba 1,000 buses. China has given Cuba 30,000 new China has given Cuba 30,000 new

refrigerators.refrigerators. China gave Cuba equipment to block China gave Cuba equipment to block

radio signals from an anti-Cuban radio signals from an anti-Cuban radio station.radio station.

Life in Communist ChinaLife in Communist China

You needed certificates to get You needed certificates to get married, have kids, change jobs, married, have kids, change jobs, and move around the country.and move around the country.

Buying a TV or getting a phone Buying a TV or getting a phone line required many steps and a line required many steps and a lot of time.lot of time.

Waiters get basic salaries, so Waiters get basic salaries, so they are less likely to give good they are less likely to give good service.service.

Daily Life in Daily Life in CubaCuba

WHEN A PERSON WHEN A PERSON WAKES UP IN CUBA, WAKES UP IN CUBA,

THEY ONLY HAVE TWO THEY ONLY HAVE TWO PROBLEMS: PROBLEMS:

LUNCH AND DINNER.LUNCH AND DINNER.

Monthly SalariesMonthly Salaries

How much do you think a worker How much do you think a worker makes in Cuba every month?makes in Cuba every month?

$20$20

(440 pesos)(440 pesos)

How Much Do Things Cost How Much Do Things Cost in Cuba?in Cuba?

Shoes- 500 pesos ($25)Shoes- 500 pesos ($25)

Bunch of Bananas/Avocados-40 pesosBunch of Bananas/Avocados-40 pesos

1 Liter of Cooking Oil-54 pesos ($2)1 Liter of Cooking Oil-54 pesos ($2)

Taxi ride through the city- 10 pesos Taxi ride through the city- 10 pesos (workers earn 18 pesos/day)(workers earn 18 pesos/day)

Yeah, but the Yeah, but the food is free…food is free…

The Ration Card Only The Ration Card Only Supplies 12 Days Worth Supplies 12 Days Worth

of Foodof Food

A Month’s Ration CardA Month’s Ration Card

RiceRice 6 pounds6 pounds

BeansBeans 20 ounces20 ounces

White SugarWhite Sugar 3 pounds3 pounds

Dark SugarDark Sugar 3 pounds3 pounds

Milk (under 7)Milk (under 7) 1 Liter/day1 Liter/day

Eggs*Eggs* 12 (only Sept-Dec)12 (only Sept-Dec)

Potatoes/BananasPotatoes/Bananas 15 pounds15 pounds

MeatsMeats

Meat is distributed every 15 days and Meat is distributed every 15 days and rotated:rotated:

Beef- ½ pound per personBeef- ½ pound per person

Chicken -1 pound per personChicken -1 pound per person

Other NecessitiesOther Necessities

Toilet paper- 2 rolls per person Toilet paper- 2 rolls per person every monthevery month

1 bar of laundry soap (every 2 1 bar of laundry soap (every 2 months)months)

1 bar of bath soap (every 2 months)1 bar of bath soap (every 2 months) 1 tube of toothpaste (every two 1 tube of toothpaste (every two

months for three people)months for three people)

Ways to Get What You Ways to Get What You NeedNeed

Work in the tourist industryWork in the tourist industry Drive a taxi (it costs $400 to get a taxi Drive a taxi (it costs $400 to get a taxi

license)license) Have family in Miami that sends you Have family in Miami that sends you

moneymoney Stealing from the governmentStealing from the government Trading services or goods with Trading services or goods with

friends/neighborsfriends/neighbors Cafeteria workers bring food homeCafeteria workers bring food home