Took advantage of Cuban workers (apex)
The United States refused to trade with Cuba.
Many factors contributed to tensions between the U.S. and Cuba in the 1950s. Cuba's army was growing, Cuba was impoverished by communism coming to power, and American businesses were nationalized.
Many factors contributed to tensions between the U.S. and Cuba in the 1950s. Cuba's army was growing, Cuba was impoverished by communism coming to power, and American businesses were nationalized.
The US promtly ended diplomatic relations and created an embargo against Cuba that still stands today.
To profit from the sugar trade
American businesses heavily invested in Cuba during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in industries such as sugar, tobacco, and mining. By the 1950s, U.S. companies controlled a significant portion of Cuba's economy, including utilities and oil refineries. However, the Cuban Revolution in 1959 led to the nationalization of these businesses and strained U.S.-Cuba relations, resulting in economic sanctions and trade embargoes that persist to this day.
When Fidel Castro seized American businesses in Cuba, the US broke off all diplomatic relations with Cuba. On October 19, 1960, the US imposed a trade embargo against Cuba on everything except food and medicine. On February 7, 1962, the embargo was extended to include all imports. The embargo still stands today.
The US put embargos in place. Some of them were supported by the United Nations. The US continues to enforce an embargo on trade and goods to and from Cuba.
Coffee and Sugar
You have to own all the businesses in cuba
The main goal of American businesses in Cuba was to capitalize on the island's abundant natural resources, particularly sugar, tobacco, and minerals, which were highly profitable. American investments aimed to establish a strong economic presence and control over key industries, facilitating access to the U.S. market. Additionally, businesses sought to benefit from Cuba's strategic location and its potential as a tourism destination. Overall, the focus was on maximizing profits and expanding influence in the Caribbean region.
The U.S. helped Fidel Castro come to power in Cuba in 1959. The U.S. became angered by Castro's refusal to allow free elections as he had previously promised. Castro further angered the U.S. by nationalizing American businesses and interests in Cuba, and by turning to the Soviet Union for finanacial and military support.