BUPS/ BIS Model United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 2010 Forum: Issue:
Executive Board 2 (Finance) Ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba
Background Information - Cuba under Spanish rule Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492, the island of Cuba was a colony of the Spanish Kingdom for about 400 years (1511-1898) after the first western settlements started in 1511. Under the Spanish rule the indigenous people of the island were ruthlessly exploited to work for them in the fields and mines of the island to enrich the colonists. It is known that the tradition of an economy based on agriculture, mining and exports- specifically sugar, coffee and of course tobacco- was built in those days. With many European brought diseases sweeping up the indigenous population the Spanish and the British brought African slaves into the island to work for them.
The independence movement unlike other Spanish colonies started much later in Cuba in the late 19th century. Although the first couple of attempts failed to succeed, Jose Marti, the founder of Cuban Revolutionary Party, drove his forces against the Spanish and carried out a successful rebellion. Marti failed to see the succession of his Party but Cuba gained her independence from the Spanish right after the Spanish- American War with the Treaty of Paris (1898) and from the Americans in 1902.
- Pre-Revolutionary Cuba
Research Report / Page 1 of 16