A Very Brief History of Cuba

Countries that were once colonies went through various stages of evolution in order to develop economically, politically, and culturally while gaining independence. Cuba, a former colony of Spain, has changed drastically throughout the years. Although in some cases, colonialism has had a positive effect on the country in the area regarding education and health care and on the other hand, has created an economic gap between the citizens. The government, social structure, and economy in the country can be compared and contrasted throughout the pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial years.

Pre-Colonial

First Settlers

Knowledge of the native peoples in Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean, prior to the colonial era derives from the accounts of contemporary Spanish writers and from archaeological examinations as oppose to written records since there were no evidence of them. The earliest knowledge of individuals immigrating to Cuba dates back to around 4200 BC. After arriving in four waves of migration from continental America, three different indigenous groups inhabited the island: the Tainos, the Ciboneys, and the Guanajatabeyes.

Economy

The first tribe, the Guanajatabeyes, arrived in the south coast region from North America. They were mainly food and fruit gatherers, and lived on a diet primarily consisting of sea mullusks. Coming from Central and North America, the Ciboneys had evidence of their settlement found around the north and centre of the island where they were hunters and gatherers, living on fish and other seafood, birds, and small rodents. Although they did not cultivate plants, they gathered wild fruit. The largest group of natives in Cuba, the Taino, arrived in the 1400s when they would fish, hunt, and grow ...

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...ns elected Cuba to join the Human Rights Council in November of 2013. On another note, in May of 2013, Cuba declared that it would consider allowing the U.N. investigators to examine accusations of torture and repression, and allowing the Red Cross officials to access the prisons in the country for the first time in nearly 25 years.

Cuba has come an exceptional way economically, politically, and culturally since its discovery in 4200 BC. According to a recent MDG Report Card by the Overseas Development Institute, Cuba is among the top twenty performing countries in the world. As a former colony of Spain, Cuba was under their domination for 388 years before gaining independence. One cannot predict the future of the country, but by looking at the history of Cuba from its pre-colonial era to the present, it is clear that it will be written by charismatic Cuban leaders.