History of Cuba - Guanajatabey, Sugar Trade and Raul Castro
Guide To The History Of Cuba
The first occupants of Cuba were the Guanajatabey, a people who had migrated to the island from South America. Their primary occupation was the cultivation of cohiba (tobacco). They lived in tents made of palm leaves all over Cuba, until Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba, while under the assumption that it was a part of Asia.
Because the Spanish were under Papal orders to conquer and convert, Spain waged a three year battle against the natives, and eventually won, despite facing stiff resistance. Under Spain’s aegis, tobacco and sugar became Cuba’s main exports. In fact, the Cubans were responsible 
for showing the Spanish how to cultivate tobacco and convert them into cigars.
As a result of the booming sugar trade, the Spanish brought in African slaves, who held the Cuban economy together for a long time before slavery was finally abolished. In 1898, the US helped Cuba in the Spanish-American war and in 1902, Cuba became an independent nation.
The first president of independent Cuba was Estrada Palma and the country had a relatively smooth political run until 1933, when the government was overthrown by Fulgencio Batista, a military leader. Batista eventually became president in 1940 and is known for his enforcement of a police state.
One of the most significant figures in Cuban political history to date is Fidel Castro. Castro started a guerrilla war against the government, with the help of his brother Raul and Che Guevara, the legendary and revolutionary Argentinean. The final nail in Batista’s political coffin came when the United States withdrew support to his government in 1956 and he was forced into exile. Castro remains in power to this day.
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Further Information:
- While in Havana, make sure to also visit the beaches including Cayo Coco Beach and Cayo Largo beach on the islands.
