Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Stanford History Education Group: Castro and the United States

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Lesson in which students analyze primary source material to consider different ways Castro viewed the United States. Includes teacher materials, student materials, PowerPoint and original documents.
Website
BBC

Bbc Profile: Raul Castro

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief profile on Raul Castro, younger brother of Fidel Castro and his likely successor. Focused on the years between his rise to power and the present.
Website
PBS

Pbs Online News Hour: Cuba and the United States

For Students 9th - 10th
Site is an Online NewsHour report on the relations between Cuba and the U.S. Trade, trade embargo, life in Cuba, Cuban Missile Crisis, and many more topics are discussed.
Activity
University of Texas at Austin

Uta: Lanic: Fidel Castro Speech Database

For Students 9th - 10th
The University of Texas provides this searchable database of archived speeches by Cuban President Fidel Castro. Search by type, key words, or year.
Article
Council of Foreign Relations

Council on Foreign Relations: Cuba

For Students 9th - 10th
The Council on Foreign Relations provides pertinent information on Cuba. As part of an extensive website on terrorism, this article answers questions regarding Cuba, terrorism, and implications for the United States.
Primary
University of Texas at Austin

University of Texas at Austin: Lanic: Castro Speech Database

For Students 9th - 10th
Searchable and browsable database of speeches delivered by and interviews conducted with Castro over the years from 1959 to 1996. Includes recommended links for where the speeches can be found online in Spanish.
Primary
Internet History Sourcebooks Project

Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: United Nations and Ussr

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Fordham University contains actual letters between the United Nations and the USSR. These letters are attempts to reach a resolution in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Article
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Fidel Castro

For Students 9th - 10th
A short but well-done biography of the Cuban revolutionary leader. It focuses on his early revolutionary years and the development of his anti-American feelings which were not apparent at first.
Handout
National Archives (UK)

Learning Curve: Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource provides information about Cuba's history and Castro's rise to power, the development of the relationship between Cuba and the USSR, a description of the events of the crisis, Kennedy's response to the discovery of Soviet...
Primary
George Washington University

National Security Archive: Kennedy Sought Dialogue With Cuba

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of documents revealing the secret history of possible U.S. accommodation with Castro just before Kennedy's assassination, and afterwards with President Johnson. Among documents there is also an audio tape of a discussion...
Handout
Digital History

Digital History: Cuba and the Bay of Pigs Invasion

For Students 9th - 10th
In 1959, rebel leader Fidel Castro toppled Cuban dictator Fugencio Batista. In Washington, Castro told U.S. officials that "The [Cuban] movement is not a Communist movement. We have no intention of expropriating U.S. property, and any...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Portrait Gallery: The Presidency and the Cold War: John F. Kennedy

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Portait Gallery explores the actions of presidents during the Cold War. Here find President Kennedy's decisions during the Berlin Crisis, the building of the Berlin War, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Watch a video of...
Primary
Mount Holyoke College

U.s. Dept. Of State: Review of Operation Mongoose

For Students 9th - 10th
Here are the plans for Operation Mongoose, the goal of which was the overthrow of Fidel Castro and the institution of a government friendly to the United States. A very interesting document outlining how this operation could be carried out.
Article
Other

Rock Around the Blockade: History of Cuba: The Cuban Revolution

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides general information about the Cuban Revolution. Includes information about the rebels landing on the coast of Cuba, guerrilla warfare and the Sierra Maestra, and the triumph of the revolution. (Published May 7, 2011)
Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: The Impact of the Bay of Pigs Invasion on Fidel Castro

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson focuses on how the Bay of Pigs invasion influenced the attitude of Fidel Castro towards Kennedy and the United States. Includes role play, discussion, and research. Students then write a letter from Nikita Krushchev to Fidel...
Article
PBS

Pbs News Hour: Fidel Castro, Cuban Revolutionary and Communist Leader, Dead at 90

For Students 9th - 10th
November 25, 2016, Fidel Castro, Cuba's long-time revolutionary leader passed away. Emotions over his death are mixed across Cuba and beyond.
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Cuba

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the culture of Cuba. Gives basic information on topics such as geography, ethnic makeup, languages, symbolism, economy, food, customs, social stratification, family life, education, religion, politics, etc. (Note:...
Unit Plan
CommonLit

Common Lit: Recalling Castro's Ascension and Cia Reaction

For Students 9th - 10th
A learning module that begins with "Recalling Castro's Ascension - and CIA Reaction" by Tom Gjelten, accompanied by guided reading questions, assessment questions, and discussion questions. The text can be printed as a PDF or assigned...
Handout
AllRefer

All Refer: Reference: Cuba: Introduction & Country Profile

For Students 9th - 10th
Presented here is reference material for learning about Cuba including a map, flag, and information concerning geography, history, government, economy, and the people.
Handout
BBC

Bbc: Castro: The Great Survivor

For Students 9th - 10th
This brief biography of Fidel Castro focuses on the years between his rise to power and the present. Also provides links to related subjects.
Handout
BBC

Bbc: News: Timeline: Cuba

For Students 9th - 10th
The BBC provides a timeline of key events in Cuban history starting in 1492 when Christopher Columbus claimed Cuba for Spain until the present. Video and audio news included.
Handout
Alabama Humanities Foundation

Encyclopedia of Alabama: Bay of Pigs Invasion and the Ang

For Students 9th - 10th
Detailed discussion of the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba and the controversial role played by the Alabama Air National Guard.
Graphic
Curated OER

Bbc: Raul Castro and Fidel Castro

For Students Pre-K - 1st
An image of Raul Castro and Fidel Castro
Article
New York Times

New York Times: Guantanamo Bay Naval Base

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] An account of Guantanamo Bay Naval and Prison Base in Cuba. From its beginnings in 1903 when the USA leased land from Cuba to its virtual isolation once Castro and American broke relations, followed by...

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