A Little Cuban History

Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba, one of the largest Caribbean islands, in 1492. In the The Papal bull of 1493, Pope Alexander the sixth commanded Spain to conquer and colonize pagans, so Spain took over Cuba. African slaves were imported to work plantations as the native Indian poplulation died out. Despite series of rebellions in the 19th century that threatened to end Spanish rule, Spain still held control over Cuba. But in 1902, Cuba finally gained formal independence as a result of the Spanish-American war, which caused Spain to withdraw from Cuba. From 1924-1933 Cuba suffered under Gerard Machado's authoritarian rule, till he was conquered by a student uprising. Fulgencio Batista then took over Cuba. In 1952 Carlos Prio became Cuba's democraticaly elected president, but was ousted by Batista. In 1953 group of anti-Batistas revolted against President Fulgencio Batista with an unsuccessful attack on the Moncada army barracks in eastern Cuba. Castro was among the moncadistas and ousted Batista six years later. Castro was imprisoned on the Isle of Pines after the attack at Moncada. In 1956 Fidel Castro landed on coast of Cuba with a small armed force to overthrow dictator Fulgencio Batista. In 1959 Castro led the revolutionaries in victory over Batist, and he fled to the Dominican Republic. Castro proclaimed a new Cuban constitution and was declared leader.In 1961 Castro declared Cuba a socialist state. In July 31st he transferred his powers to his brother, Raul Castro. He declared he would neither seek nor accept a new term as president.

Sources: Wikipedia, historyofnations.net,spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk, timelines.ws/countries