Effects of U.S. Foreign Policy on Cuba - 1926 Words

Britt Pendergrast Dr. Cassell AP Lang 4th period Effects of U.S. Foreign Policy on Cuba The foreign policy of the United States toward Cuba over the past fifty years has caused many problems for the Cuban society and its people, and relations between the two nations have been at odds for decades due to the harsh foreign policy stance of the United States toward Cuba. The United States has considered Cuba as its enemy ever since July 1960 when Fidel Castro’s new revolutionary government changed everything. Castro seized privately owned land in Cuba, nationalized several privately owned companies (most of which were subsidiaries of U.S. businesses), and heavily taxed American products which led to U.S. exports being reduced greatly,†¦show more content†¦Therefore, the U.S. banned trade with and travels to Cuba and considered all countries who do engage in Cuban trade and travel to be an enemy to the U.S.† (Arcelaschi 1). When the United States learned of Cuba’s communist affiliations they did not take time to analyze the situation and quickly cut off all relations and access to the nation, which sent a message but did nothing to destroy communism. Even after a course of several decades with the harsh isolationist policy in place, Castro’s communist regime is still firmly in power. The U.S. was too quick in its decision and attempt to take out the communist government and took drastic measures by imposing a full embargo to try to solve a problem that could have been solved in a much more effective and ethical way. The relatively short distance between Cuba and the U.S. naturally led to a long and involved history of relations between the two nations, but relations between the two nations over the past fifty years have been unhealthy and harmful to both nations. The embargo imposed by the U.S. has only been damaging and unhelpful to the situation. â€Å"As a result of the new government’s nationalization policy, American investors suffered major losses and the U.S. retaliated in July 1960 by canceling planned purchases of Cuban sugar† (Crouch 70). This was the first act of neglect toward Cuba that would only quickly progress until all trade and relations were cut off with Cuba.Show MoreRelatedFrom The Dropping Of The Atomic Bombs On Japan In 19451498 Words   |  6 PagesStates of America has pursued a foreign policy of containment to curb the spread of Soviet communism throughout the world. The U.S. spent billions of dollars during the Cold War period on foreign policies of con tainment, but is criticized that these strategies were ineffective in containing the spread of communism. In 1946, The Long Telegram, put forth by the father of the containment theory, George F. 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