Research Thesis Paragraph!!!

Throughout history, the United States has used different tactics in order to become such an imperial power, by: invading different countries, implementing democracy by “fighting communism”, going to war, having military bases, open free markets,etc. Many countries have been influenced and in most cases controlled by the U.S. But there is one exception in the Western Hemisphere and that is Cuba; which became communist on January 1, 1959 with the rise of Fidel Castro, and has been able to stop U.S intervention from their regimen . Ever since the Cuban Revolution there has been a bitter rivalry between the U.S and Cuba, were many political disputes have occurred from both sides, which has caused a very intense dislike of one another. For the United States, Cuba was always seen as threat and based on their Anti-Communist ideas, they have tried to overthrown its government and implement democracy; But all their attempts have failed and at the end Cuba has been able to maintain it's communist government and policies alive; But what made this possible? Having such a small country fighting and preventing influence/intervention from such a world power the U.S.

Research Brainstorm

Why are you interested in this country and its relationship to the U.S.?
- I am really interested to find out a lot more about Cuba because there is a lot to learn and research about different topics such as Communism, Guantanamo Bay (how the U.S owns land in Cuba), how the Soviet Union helped Cuba to maintain communism alive . Something that I really would like to find out, how Cuba was able to keep its communism, and how the United States tried to stop communism in Cuba.

What has struck you about its history and relationship to the United States from our readings, and from other knowledge and experience you may have?
-From my knowledge, I know that the U.S owns land in Cuba, called Guantanamo Bay. In this land I know they have terrorists in prison. I also know that the U.S under the Clinton’s office, also promoted the famous “Bay Of Pigs” in which the U.S government helped Cuban revels to overthrown its government.

Based on your reading and knowledge so far, do you think the U.S.'s relationship with this country supports the thesis "The United States is an imperial power"?
-Yes, I totally think that the U.S tried at some point control Cuba, but during the Cold War Period, I believe they were scared to attack or invade Cuba, because of the rumors that the Soviet Union was it’s allie.

What dont you know that you want to find out?
-I need to find out more about Cuba, itself. I have a little knowledge about almost everything. But I definitely have to go more in depth in order to have a better idea of the relationship between the U.S and Cuba and the clash between this two different type of governments :Democratic and Communist.

Revised Paragraphs

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As many people will define tourism as an activity for pleasure, fun, relaxation or just to explore different environments, but more importantly it's purpose is to get out of boring, repetitive and tiring life that we experience in the daily basis. As “tourists” go to different places they enjoy the different beauties that the place has to offer, but what they don't see or just don't want to realize the reality and the truth behind all that beauty. “A Small Place” is an essay written and published by Jamaica Kincaid in which the author explores the ethics of tourism from the local's point of view.
As tourists travel to different places around the world, they want to see things their way and in most cases be self-interested for the same reason that they want to make their money and vacations worthwhile, without caring about the necessities that local people might have: “Got quite a bit of rainfall, and rain is the very thing that you, just now, do not want... you are on your holiday, since you are a tourist, the thought of what it might be like for someone who had to live day in, day out in place that suffers constantly from drought.” (4); This quote is a great example that demonstrates the point of view from a tourist who desires to have “good day” which for them is having a delicious climate that is nice and hot, of course without rain, by contrast local people, urgently need the rain to keep the agriculture alive and have enough water supply.


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Many people will often define tourism as an activity for fun, relaxation or just to explore different environments, but more importantly its purpose is to get out of a boring, repetitive and tiring life that we experience in the daily basis. As “tourists” travels to different places around the world, to enjoy the different beauties that the place has to offer, but what they don't see or just don't want to realize is the reality and the truth behind all that beauty. “A Small Place” is an essay written and published by Jamaica Kincaid, in which the author explores the ethics of tourism from the tourist's and the native's point of view. These two opinions clash and show us the reality of tourism.

As tourists travel around the world, they want to see things their way and in most cases be self interested for the same reason that they want to make their money and vacations worthwhile. Tourist often are so focused on having fun and trying to make it all about themselves when they visiting all these different countries, that they totally ignore all the necessities that the local people might have; Kincaid explores this when she says “Got quite a bit of rainfall, and rain is the very thing that you, just now, do not want... you are on your holiday, since you are a tourist , the though of what it might be like for someone who had live day in, day out in a place that suffers constantly from drought.” (4) Here we could see how a tourist has the desire of having a “good day” which for them is having a delicious climate that is nice and hot, of course without rain, by contrast local people, urgently need the rain to keep agriculture alive and have enough water supply for their survival. This is the perfect example that shows us how ignorant and careless a tourist really is, as they travel without any knowledge of the country's needs.

Video of Naomi Klein on the Colbert Report

In this video, Stephan Colbert pretends to defend making money off disasters. Despite his jokes, Klein gets her argument across. Notice the connection she makes to Hurricane Katrina. How do you think this argument relates to our overall course theme of America's place in the world?
- The argument that Naomi Klein emphasizes through out her book "The Shock Doctrine" and this video, is that the U.S government has taken and continues to take advantage of the people when they are in the state of shock. The state of shock, meaning when the people are going through difficult situations, such as: recessions, high unemployment, natural disasters and wars. People tend to have hope in the government and there is when officials in power take advantage of people's innocence in order to benefit themselves. I totally agree with her argument, because all the material that we have read and watched across the cluster, has shown us how the U.S government and their officials are very self interested and have used this tactic in order to get what they want. So, I believe that we must be alert and not let the people in power take advantage of us anymore!!!

We going through an economic recession right now, and I'm wondering how the government and its official will take advantage of this situation??? or they already did??? ;D

Personal Responses

What view of "American in the World" did you have coming into the cluster? Where do you think this idea came from? Has it changed? If so, what text(s) or idea(s) changed it? What do you still want to know? Thinking of the quotes we started with, are your thoughts now closer to Obama or to King?

- From what I have learned in high school; I have always seen the United States as being a country that has progressed through very difficult times and struggles and eventually it has become a very powerful country. Before coming into the cluster "America In The World" I always had the idea that the United States was not a self-interest country and that actually likes to help developing countries. As this cluster exposed us to different texts and films; I started to realize that the United States is not as good as everybody seems to think and that actually this country is very corrupted and self- interest. After learning all the negative actions taken by the United States; I totally agree with King's quote. I support King's allegations,mainly because we as class have learned how the government has used violence against different races in order to get what they wanted. As well as implementing white supremacy in the U.S.