Question

I need one of these but I didn't understand the lesson today! Can you go over one of the concepts? I have NO CLUE!

What was one good thing about import-substitution led industrialization? What was one bad thing?
Do you think the United States should have become involved in civil wars in Central America? Why or why not?
Who was Fidel Castro and how did he come to power?
Predict what you think will happen to Cuba now that Castro is ill and has turned over power to his brother, Raul.
Does the existence of a communist country within ninety miles of the U.S. bother you? Why or why not?

Answer 1

So go over all of these?

Answer 2

I only have to prove understood one of the concepts

Answer 3

Import substitution industrialization or "Import-substituting Industrialization" (called ISI) is a trade and economic policy that advocates replacing imports with domestic production, one good thing is more jobs for people in a chosen area, one bad thing is the lack of free trade.

Answer 4

so what is 'free trade'?

Answer 5

#2 --- Yes we should have. It certainly benefited the U.S. greatly. However, if you are a central american sympathizer, then most likely you would not support US involvement.
Either way, the US-sponsored coups of several central American countries did indeed help install Democracy in an area of the world that was easily susceptible to primitive types of government.

Answer 6

Here's a ton about Fidel Castro --- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidel_Castro

Here is all about him (:

* On 26 July 1953, 160 young militants attacked the Moncada barracks in Santiago. Half of them died, most after torture. Many went to prison. Fidel Castro's brother Raul explained the event: 'It was not a putsch designed to score an easy victory without the masses. It was a surprise action to disarm the enemy and arm the people, with the aim of beginning armed revolutionary action% it marked the start of an action to transform Cuba's political, economic and social system and put an end to the foreign oppression, poverty, unemployment, ill health and ignorance that weighed upon our country and our people.'
* Fidel Castro was among those captured and imprisoned. In his defense speech, immortalized as 'History will absolve me', Castro identified three social forces that would determined his revolutionary strategy and alliances.

'The big landowners, reactionary clergy and transnational corporations represented by Batista.'

'The national bourgeoisie, capitalists in contradiction with imperialism, but among whom only the most progressive would support a revolution.'

The masses, 'the 600,000 Cubans without work%. The 500,000 farm laborers who live in miserable shacks,% the 100,000 small farmers who live and die working land that is not theirs,% the 30,000 teachers and professors,% so badly treated and paid; the 20,000 small businessmen weighed down by debts; the 10,000 young professional people who find themselves at a dead end% These are the people, the ones who know misfortune, and are therefore capable of fighting with limitless courage.'

* Following protests and in an attempt to court legitimacy, Batista released Castro and the other survivors of Moncada in May 1955. Castro left for Mexico amid rising repression and there met the Argentinian doctor Che Guevara.


The Revolution begins

* On 25 November 1956, the tiny yacht Granma set sail for Cuba. Castro said, 'We will be free, or we will be martyrs.' 82 waded ashore to do battle with Batista's thousands of US-equipped troops. They were immediately strafed by Batista's planes. Tramping through swamps, sucking sugar cane for moisture and nutrition, they were betrayed by their guide and ambushed.
* 12 partisans regrouped and began guerrilla warfare in the mountains of the Sierra Maestra. On 21 August 1958, Castro ordered Che and Camilo Cienfuegos to lead two columns down from the Sierra Maestra.
* Batista fled Havana at 2am on 1 January 1959. A military junta replaced him. Camilo and Che continued to lead their guerrilla columns into Havana. Workers and peasants all over Cuba responded to Castro's call for a general strike. The Revolution triumphed.
* 20,000 people had been killed in the liberation war. As he entered Havana on 8 January, 32-year-old Castro reportedly ordered 50,000 rifles and machine guns to be imported to defend the Revolution.
* At the time of the Revolution, the largely rural population had an average annual income per person of $91.25 - an eight of that of Mississippi, the poorest state in the USA. Only 11% of Cuba drank milk, 4% ate meat, 2-3% had running water, and 9.1% had electricity. 36% had intestinal parasites, 14% had tuberculosis, and 43% were illiterate.
* On 2 January 1959, the government announced that 50-60% of casino profits would be directed to welfare programs. The first of a series of land reforms was enacted on 17 May. Large estates were expropriated and turned into state farms. The US United Fruit Company was dispossessed without compensation. Land was turned over to small farmers, sugar cane farms were made into cooperatives.
* The Cuban government offered to discuss compensation for US-owned farms and mineral properties. The US Secretary of State declined the offer.

Answer 7

AWESOME! Thanks you SOOOOOO much!!!!