Skip to content

Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Year 11 - History

The Cuban Revolution and its consequences

Wider Depth Study - Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils undergo a wider depth study which tells a story about a period that shaped the world we live in today: the Cold War. They look at the key events, developments, people and stories that defined the international relations in this Cold War period.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the consequences of the Cuban Revolution.

Key Notes

  • The USA was closely interested in Cuba in the mid-20th century.
  • The Batista government was very unpopular in Cuba.
  • Fidel Castro gained power in Cuba after a revolution.
  • The US opposed many of the actions of the Castro government.
  • Cuba increasingly developed trade and security relations with the USSR.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • sphere of influence: a region of the world in which one state is dominant
  • nationalised: when the government takes control of a business or property
  • embargo: an official ban on trade with another country

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Castro immediately turned to the USSR for support after the Cuban Revolution.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

The USA was closely interested in Cuba in the mid-20th century. The Batista government was very unpopular in Cuba.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'sphere of influence'

a region of the world in which one state is dominant.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: Castro immediately turned to the USSR for support after the Cuban Revolution. Correction: Castro mainly turned to the USSR for support in 1960, after the USA had already begun restricting trade with Cuba.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 11 History guide library.