Article: History of U.S.-Cuba Relations

Transcription

1 Article: History of U.S.-Cuba Relations This past December, President Obama announced the decision to reopen diplomatic and economic relations with Cuba. Diplomatic ties have been officially severed for decades, and the relationship of the U.S. and Cuba has a long and confusing history. Through eleven presidencies, Americans have watched the country s relationship with Cuba worsen, as both sides have been reluctant to make concessions to the other. The Beginning Fidel Castro first took power in Cuba in Later that year, he visited the United States and met with Vice President Nixon. At this time, both countries were still establishing their diplomatic relationship, but the American government was wary of some of Castro s communistic rhetoric. Things took a decisive turn in 1960 when Castro not only continued to strengthen his relationship with the Soviet Union, but also nationalized all American companies in Cuba and provided no compensation. It was at this time that the U.S. cut relations and imposed the first trade embargo on Cuba. Vocabulary ties = connections, relationships severed = cut off presidencies = time periods of each president reluctant = not willing to make concessions = give the other side something it wants wary = cautious, slightly suspicious rhetoric = communication things took a decisive turn = things began clearly going in a particular direction nationalized = made them the property of the national government trade embargo = a barrier to importing or exporting to/from that country

2 The Bay of Pigs In 1961, President Kennedy approved the Bay of Pigs mission where the U.S. government helped support an attempted invasion by Cuban exiles. Fidel Castro easily defeated the U.S.-backed army and began more openly supporting the Soviet Union. This became only the first of eight U.S. attempts in the 1960s to oust Castro. Each obviously ended in failure. The Cuban Missile Crisis In 1962, Cuba and the Soviet Union agreed to house Soviet nuclear missiles on the island. The U.S. released photos of the missile silos and began an international standoff with the Soviet Union. Though many feared a nuclear war would begin, both sides were able to deescalate the situation by agreeing to remove the Soviet missiles in Cuba and the U.S. missiles in Turkey. Mariel Boatlift When the U.S. government said that it would welcome Cuban refugees, it resulted in the Mariel boatlift of This was the largest arrival of Cuban refugees at one time, as approximately 125,000 people arrived on American shores. It is suspected that many of these people were individuals who Castro willingly freed from his prisons and mental institutions in order to Vocabulary exiles = people who were forced out of the country U.S.-backed = supported by the U.S. oust = force someone out of a position of power standoff = when two forces of similar power face each other without taking action deescalate = decrease the intensity refugees = people who leave a country because of war or poverty shores = the part of the land near the ocean

3 send them to the U.S. Wet Foot, Dry Foot Eventually the U.S. government adopted the wet foot, dry foot policy, which indicated that if refugees arrived on U.S. soil, they could stay. Refugees that were caught before they reached the shore were sent back. Slight changes to refugee policies, cultural exchange, and remittances have been made in the last twenty years. Despite all these tweaks, the situation remained the same as it has for over four decades. President Obama s decision ushers in a new age for U.S.-Cuba relations. This could mean greater cultural and economic exchange as well as the improvement of lives for the poorest in Cuba. However, it is still too early to tell. Vocabulary soil = in this context, another word for land or territory remittances = the sending of money to someone at a distance tweaks = tiny changes and adjustments ushers in a new age = begins a new time period it is still too early to tell = in this case, tell means know by observation Read more about the history of U.S.-Cuba relations: /the-u-s-and-cuba-a-brief-history-of-atortured-relationship

4 Comprehension Questions 1. The U.S. was suspicious because of Castro's... a. desire to attack the U.S. b. history of manipulation and violence c. ideas and philosophy 2. Which country cut off the relations? a. Cuba b. The U.S. c. The Soviet Union 3. The U.S. tried eight times to... a. remove Castro from power b. get spies into the Cuban government c. break up the alliance between Cuba and the Soviet Union 4. The missile crisis in 1962 was resolved by... a. agreeing to relax the economic sanctions b. both sides agreeing to remove missiles c. threatening nuclear war 5. U.S. policy said that Cubans could stay if... a. they agreed never to go back b. they stepped onto U.S. land c. they renounced allegiance to Castro 6. The article concludes that because of the decision to re-establish relations... a. life will improve for Cubans soon b. more U.S. citizens will visit Cuba c. we don t know yet what the effects will be

5 Vocabulary Quiz Complete the sentences with words from the box: backed reluctant ties concessions severed tweaks presidencies shore wary refugees 1. from the war are pouring into neighboring countries. 2. Doctors are of this new weight-loss drug; it hasn't been thoroughly tested yet. 3. Don't swim too far out - stay close to. 4. He survived the accident, but his left leg was below the knee. 5. She was adopted as a baby and she has no with her biological parents. 6. The economy has been strong throughout the past three. 7. The editor would like to make a few to the article before publication. 8. This is a big decision; I'm to make it until I have more information. 9. This organization is very strong. It's by a number of influential politicians. 10. You can't have your own way all the time when you're in a relationship. You have to make some to your partner.

6 Listening Practice Fill in the boxes as you listen. Then check your answers with the full article text. This past December, President Obama the decision to reopen diplomatic and economic relations with Cuba. Diplomatic ties have been officially severed for decades, and the relationship of the U.S. and Cuba has a long and history. Through eleven presidencies, Americans have watched the country s relationship with Cuba, as both sides have been reluctant to make concessions to the other. The Beginning Fidel Castro first power in Cuba in Later that year, he visited the United States and met with Vice President Nixon. At this time, both countries were still their diplomatic relationship, but the American government was wary of some of Castro s communistic rhetoric. Things took a decisive turn in 1960 when Castro not only continued to his relationship with the Soviet Union, but also nationalized all American companies in Cuba and provided no. It was at this time that the U.S. cut relations and imposed the first trade embargo on Cuba. The Bay of Pigs In 1961, President Kennedy approved the Bay of Pigs where the U.S. government helped support an attempted invasion by Cuban exiles. Fidel Castro easily the U.S.-backed army and began more openly supporting the Soviet Union. This became only the first of eight U.S. attempts in the 1960s to oust Castro. Each obviously ended in.

7 The Cuban Missile Crisis In 1962, Cuba and the Soviet Union to house Soviet nuclear missiles on the island. The U.S. released photos of the missile silos and began an international standoff with the Soviet Union. Though many a nuclear war would begin, both sides were able to deescalate the situation by agreeing to remove the Soviet missiles in Cuba and the U.S. missiles in Turkey. Mariel Boatlift When the U.S. government said that it would welcome Cuban refugees, it in the Mariel boatlift of This was the largest arrival of Cuban refugees at one time, as approximately 125,000 people arrived on American shores. It is suspected that many of these people were individuals who Castro willingly freed from his and mental institutions in order to send them to the U.S. Wet Foot, Dry Foot Eventually the U.S. government the wet foot, dry foot policy, which indicated that if refugees arrived on U.S. soil, they could stay. Refugees that were before they reached the shore were sent back. Slight changes to refugee policies, cultural, and remittances have been made in the last twenty years. Despite all these tweaks, the situation the same as it has for over four decades. President Obama s decision ushers in a new age for U.S.-Cuba relations. This could mean greater cultural and exchange as well as the improvement of lives for the poorest in Cuba. However, it is still too early to tell.

8 Writing Task The U.S., which is strongly capitalistic, was concerned about Castro s communistic beliefs. What are the advantages and disadvantages of capitalism and communism/socialism? Which philosophy do you tend to prefer, and why? Write 2-3 paragraphs, then send me your text at shayna@espressoenglish.net for feedback and correction! Answers Comprehension Questions 1. c 2. b 3. a 4. b 5. b 6. c Vocabulary Quiz 1. refugees 2. wary 3. shore 4. severed 5. ties 6. presidencies 7. tweaks 8. reluctant 9. backed 10. concessions