The printed curriculum unit Contesting Cuba's Past and Future focuses on the Cuban perspective, and traces Cuba's history from the country's precolonial past to its most recent economic, social, and political changes. Students recreate the discussions Cubans on the island are having about their future.
Videos for Readings: The videos below follow the outline of the printed curriculum unit. The headings correspond to the headings in the student readings.
Videos for Lessons accompany lessons in the teacher's guide of the printed curriculum unit.
Scholars Online: Videos for Readings
Contesting Cuba's Past and Future
Scholars
Adrián López
Brown University [0:33]
Philip Brenner
American University [0:22]
Michael Bustamante
Council on Foreign Relations
Part 1: Colonization and Independence
Cuba Under Spanish Rule
Why is the sugar industry important to understanding Cuban history? [Adrián López Denis - 2:10]
The Struggle for Independence
The Cuban Republic
Part 2: The Cuban Revolution
Patria o Muerte (“The Fatherland or Death”)
How did Cuba become an ally of the Soviet Union? [Philip Brenner - 1:44]
Revolutionary Reforms
How did Cuba "export the revolution"? [Philip Brenner - 2:06]
Why was there tension in the Cuban–Soviet relationship? [Philip Brenner - 2:54]
How has Cuba's foreign policy connected it to the rest of the world? [Philip Brenner - 1:17]
Changes Brewing
What are two different perspectives on the Cuban revolution? [Adrián López Denis - 1:14]
What do you think were some of the accomplishments of the Cuban revolution? [Philip Brenner - 1:32]
How does the Cuban government provide free healthcare and education? [Adrián López Denis - 1:05]
How did the Cuban revolution address the issue of race? [Adrián López Denis - 1:41]
Part 3: The Special Period and Cuba Today
No es facil (“It’s not easy”)
What was life like for Cubans during the special period? [Philip Brenner - 3:56]
What is the libreta? [Adrián López Denis - 1:40]
Why are there two different currencies in Cuba? [Michael Bustamante - 3:48]
The United States and Cuba in the 1990s
What is U.S. policy towards Cuba? [Michael Bustamante - 1:53]
What is the rationale for U.S. policy towards Cuba? [Michael Bustamante - 3:01]
How do Cuban-American representatives influence U.S. foreign policy? [Adrián López Denis - 1:04]
How successful has the U.S. embargo against Cuba been? [Michael Bustamante - 1:50]
Cuba and the Cuban-American Community
What changes do some Cuban Americans hope to see in Cuba? [Michael Bustamante - 1:44]
What do Cuban Americans think about the change in leadership in Cuba? [Michael Bustamante - 1:56]
Cuba Today
What is daily life like for Cubans today? [Philip Brenner - 2:20]
What is life like in Cuba today? [Michael Bustamante - 3:07]
What do Cubans on the island think about the Cuban government? [Michael Bustamante - 3:20]
What do young people in Cuba think about the Cuban government? [Adrián López Denis - 2:04]
What issues are Cubans on the island concerned about? [Adrián López Denis - 1:40]
How are U.S.-Cuban relations today? [Philip Brenner - 2:35]
What should the United States hope for in a post-Castro Cuba? [Michael Bustamante - 1:50]
What changes did Raúl Castro make when he became president in 2008? [Michael Bustamante - 3:03]
Why should high school students learn about Cuba? [Philip Brenner - 1:55]
Why should high school students learn about Cuba? [Michael Bustamante - 1:24]