The Foreign Policy of the Cuban Revolution: 1959 The Turning Point

Session Submission Type: Panel

Abstract

The year 1959 was a turning point in the history of the Cuban Republic. The triumph of the Cuban Revolution marked the beginning of a process of profound socio-economic and political transformations for the island stateSuch actions amounted to a strong and swift structural transformation that began incorporating new property and class relations; these actions also limited the possibilities for private capital accumulation. This also meant transformations and new challenges for the new government in the foreign policy inthe western hemisphere—a geo-political space that had been a Monroe Doctrine-inspired United States hegemonic domain- and beyond. By looking at selected cases of foreign policy dyads and one of its main characteristics the presentation will reflect of some of the challenges facing the new government from 1959.

Sub Track

• International Relations

Session Organizer

• Raúl Rodríguez Rodríguez, Universidad de La Habana

Chair

• John M Kirk, Dalhousie University

Discussant

• Lana Wylie, McMaster University

Individual Presentations

• Canada and Cuba: Engagement and Dialogue - Raúl Rodríguez Rodríguez, Universidad de La Habana

• Spain and Cuba: A very special relationship. - Joaquín Roy, University of Miami

• Havana, Moscow and Global Politics - Mervyn John Bain, Universidad de Aberdeen