Discover the rich history of Cuba from its colonial period through its independence movements, culminating in the Cuban Revolution. Students will explore the key events, actors, and forces that have shaped Cuba, including José Marti, Fidel Castro, the Cuban Missile Crisis and more!
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
An overview of the history of Cuba from the colonial era to the present day - see the topics below.
What will we cover?
Session 1: Colonial Cuba • Spanish colonisation (1492 onwards) • Understanding Cuba's sugar economy and the role of slave labour (17th - 19th centuries)
Session 2: Struggle for Independence • Discontent with Spanish rule • Wars of independence • The Spanish-American War
Session 3: The Republic vs US Influences • The Republic of Cuba • US influences and economic dependency
4. Rise of Nationalism and Political Turmoil • Cuban nationalism and growing Anti-US sentiments • Fulgencio Batista's rise to power
5.The Cuban Revolution • Origins and early movements • Fidel Castro and Che Guevara • Fall of Batista and revolutionary victory
6.Consolidation and Development of the Revolutionary State • Revolutionary reforms • Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961) • The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962).
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Evaluate how and why Cuba became a colony Assess the reasons for independence Explain US-Cuba relations in the C20th and their siginficance for the history of Cuba Evaluate the significance of the Cuban Revolution and the impact of Fidel Castro's regime on Cuba Assess the historical impact of key events like the Cuban Missile Crisis.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Introductory course - all welcome. A wilingness to engage in any class debates/discussions and activities is essential.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Interactive lectures - reading is provided and recommended but is not mandatory.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other costs. Pen and paper if you wish to take notes.
Dr. Maísa Edwards holds a Joint International Relations PhD from King’s College London and the University of São Paulo. Her doctoral research focused on Brazil, the Zone of Peace and Cooperation of the South Atlantic and the South Atlantic region. She also has an MSc in Brazil in Global Perspective from King’s College London and a first degree in French and Spanish from University College London. Maísa also has a keen interest in multilingual and multicultural literature and has run the Talk Books With Me (@talk_books_with_me) project since February 2021.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/cuba-from-colony-to-revolution2938836Cuba: from Colony to Revolutionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/america-40s-HCC04-1024.jpg139139GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Caribbean & Americas/Courses/vm/Latin American season/Courses/Online courses228511771178118013488173112285117711781653<p>Discover the rich history of Cuba from its colonial period through its independence movements, culminating in the Cuban Revolution. Students will explore the key events, actors, and forces that have shaped Cuba, including José Marti, Fidel Castro, the Cuban Missile Crisis and more!</p>002938797Cuba: from Colony to Revolution139139https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/america-40s-HCC04-1024.jpgInStockEveningTueOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-21T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHWH222139139Cuba: from Colony to Revolution13990139Maisa Edwardscuba-from-colony-to-revolution/hwh222-2526<p>Discover the rich history of Cuba from its colonial period through its independence movements, culminating in the Cuban Revolution. Students will explore the key events, actors, and forces that have shaped Cuba, including José Marti, Fidel Castro, the Cuban Missile Crisis and more!</p>0000-Available|2026-04-21 00:00:00An overview of the history of Cuba from the colonial era to the present day - see the topics below.<p>Discover the rich history of Cuba from its colonial period through its independence movements, culminating in the Cuban Revolution. Students will explore the key events, actors, and forces that have shaped Cuba, including José Marti, Fidel Castro, the Cuban Missile Crisis and more!</p>Session 1: Colonial Cuba <br>• Spanish colonisation (1492 onwards)<br>• Understanding Cuba's sugar economy and the role of slave labour (17th - 19th centuries)<br><br>Session 2: Struggle for Independence <br>• Discontent with Spanish rule<br>• Wars of independence<br>• The Spanish-American War<br><br>Session 3: The Republic vs US Influences<br>• The Republic of Cuba<br>• US influences and economic dependency<br><br>4. Rise of Nationalism and Political Turmoil <br>• Cuban nationalism and growing Anti-US sentiments<br>• Fulgencio Batista's rise to power<br><br>5.The Cuban Revolution <br>• Origins and early movements<br>• Fidel Castro and Che Guevara<br>• Fall of Batista and revolutionary victory<br><br>6.Consolidation and Development of the Revolutionary State <br>• Revolutionary reforms<br>• Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)<br>• The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962).Evaluate how and why Cuba became a colony<br>Assess the reasons for independence<br>Explain US-Cuba relations in the C20th and their siginficance for the history of Cuba<br>Evaluate the significance of the Cuban Revolution and the impact of Fidel Castro's regime on Cuba<br>Assess the historical impact of key events like the Cuban Missile Crisis.Introductory course - all welcome. A wilingness to engage in any class debates/discussions and activities is essential.Interactive lectures - reading is provided and recommended but is not mandatory.No other costs. Pen and paper if you wish to take notes.Please see our Histry of the Americas section.HistoryThe Caribbean & Americasvirtual13913990HWH222NONETue21/04/26 - 26/05/2619:00 - 20:3019:0020:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekdayOnlineOnlineMaisa EdwardsAvailable courses2026-04-21T00:00:00+00:00EveningApr 2026Culture, history & humanities139139Cuba: from Colony to Revolutioncuba-from-colony-to-revolution/hwh222-2526<p>Discover the rich history of Cuba from its colonial period through its independence movements, culminating in the Cuban Revolution. Students will explore the key events, actors, and forces that have shaped Cuba, including José Marti, Fidel Castro, the Cuban Missile Crisis and more!</p>0000-Available|2026-04-21 00:00:00An overview of the history of Cuba from the colonial era to the present day - see the topics below.<p>Discover the rich history of Cuba from its colonial period through its independence movements, culminating in the Cuban Revolution. Students will explore the key events, actors, and forces that have shaped Cuba, including José Marti, Fidel Castro, the Cuban Missile Crisis and more!</p>Session 1: Colonial Cuba <br>• Spanish colonisation (1492 onwards)<br>• Understanding Cuba's sugar economy and the role of slave labour (17th - 19th centuries)<br><br>Session 2: Struggle for Independence <br>• Discontent with Spanish rule<br>• Wars of independence<br>• The Spanish-American War<br><br>Session 3: The Republic vs US Influences<br>• The Republic of Cuba<br>• US influences and economic dependency<br><br>4. Rise of Nationalism and Political Turmoil <br>• Cuban nationalism and growing Anti-US sentiments<br>• Fulgencio Batista's rise to power<br><br>5.The Cuban Revolution <br>• Origins and early movements<br>• Fidel Castro and Che Guevara<br>• Fall of Batista and revolutionary victory<br><br>6.Consolidation and Development of the Revolutionary State <br>• Revolutionary reforms<br>• Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)<br>• The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962).Evaluate how and why Cuba became a colony<br>Assess the reasons for independence<br>Explain US-Cuba relations in the C20th and their siginficance for the history of Cuba<br>Evaluate the significance of the Cuban Revolution and the impact of Fidel Castro's regime on Cuba<br>Assess the historical impact of key events like the Cuban Missile Crisis.Introductory course - all welcome. A wilingness to engage in any class debates/discussions and activities is essential.Interactive lectures - reading is provided and recommended but is not mandatory.No other costs. Pen and paper if you wish to take notes.Please see our Histry of the Americas section.HistoryThe Caribbean & Americasconfigurable
11801178The Caribbean & Americashttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/american-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11801/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/The Caribbean & Americas
