Question

n 1959, the Cuban Revolution brought dramatic change to the island nation of Cuba. Led by Fidel
Castro and his supporters, the revolution overthrew the government of Fulgencio Batista, who had
ruled with strong ties to U.S. businesses and interests. Castro promised to end corruption and
improve life for ordinary Cubans. Soon after taking power, his government began nationalizing
industries and redistributing land, which angered many wealthy Cubans and U.S. companies. The
United States responded by cutting economic ties and eventually imposing a trade embargo on
Cuba. In 1961, the U.S. supported an invasion by Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs, which failed and
increased tensions. The following year, the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of
nuclear war when the Soviet Union placed missiles in Cuba. After this crisis, Cuba remained closely
aligned with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Today, the relationship between Cuba and the
United States is still complicated. The trade embargo remains in place, although some restrictions
have been eased in recent years. Diplomatic relations were restored in 2015, allowing embassies to
reopen, but political differences and economic sanctions continue to shape interactions between the
two nations.
Questions – Use the passage to answer.
Part 1: Background – The Cuban Revolution
1. When did the Cuban Revolution occur? (Give the year.)
2. Who were two key leaders of the revolution?
3. What were two goals of the revolution?
4. List one economic, one political, and one social change that occurred after the revolution.
Part 2: Impact of the Cuban Revolution
5. How did the revolution affect Cuba’s relationship with the United States?
6. Name two major events that resulted from U.S.–Cuba tensions.
7. How did the revolution influence other countries in Latin America?
Part 3: Current Relationship Between Cuba and the U.S.
8. What is the current status of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the U.S.?
9. Are there trade restrictions or an embargo? Explain briefly.
10. Describe one recent change in U.S.–Cuba relations.
Extension & Critical Thinking
A. Why do you think the Cuban Revolution still matters today? Use evidence from the passage.
B. How do historical events shape modern foreign policy? Give one example from U.S.–Cuba
relations.
© Grade 6 Social Studies | Use with classroom instruction.

Answer 1

Part 1: Background – The Cuban Revolution
1. 1959.
2. The passage names Fidel Castro as the leader; it refers also to “his supporters.” (The passage does not give a second individual’s name.)
3. End corruption; improve life for ordinary Cubans.
4. Economic change: nationalizing industries and redistributing land.
Political change: overthrow of Fulgencio Batista and establishment of Castro’s government (realignment with the Soviet Union during the Cold War).
Social change: land redistribution and policies aimed at improving life for ordinary Cubans.

Part 2: Impact of the Cuban Revolution
5. The revolution greatly worsened relations with the United States: the U.S. cut economic ties, imposed a trade embargo, and political tensions increased as Cuba aligned with the Soviet Union.
6. The Bay of Pigs invasion (1961) and the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962).
7. The passage does not give detailed examples, but it shows Cuba’s close alignment with the Soviet Union during the Cold War — a development that affected regional politics and helped inspire/support leftist movements and Cold War alignments in Latin America.

Part 3: Current Relationship Between Cuba and the U.S.
8. Diplomatic relations were restored in 2015, and embassies were allowed to reopen. However, relations remain complicated by ongoing political differences.
9. Yes. A U.S. trade embargo remains in place, although the passage says some restrictions have been eased in recent years.
10. One recent change: diplomatic relations were restored in 2015, allowing embassies to reopen.

Extension & Critical Thinking
A. The Cuban Revolution still matters today because it created long-lasting changes in U.S.–Cuba interactions: the trade embargo continues, diplomatic ties were only partially restored in 2015, and political differences and sanctions still shape relations (all points given in the passage).
B. Historical events set the context and policies that persist. Example from the passage: Cuba’s nationalization of industries and land redistribution angered U.S. businesses and helped cause the U.S. to cut ties and impose a trade embargo — a policy that still affects relations today.