Why was Cuba seen as a “crown jewel” of the Spanish empire in the Americas?

Cuba is seen as a "crown jewel" of the Spanish empire in Americans since they always beat the odds. Columbus first knew about the island back in 1942, there and then it became necessary in the political and economic colony. Cuba was craved for centuries by most nations due to its ability to maintain its identity and independence. Although the conclusion of the cold war, the Soviet Union, and the coercion from the U.S government, Cuba stayed strong.  Cuba's geographical location had a huge role in how valuable it could be as a territory( Cirra and Moonroe 1999).

What led the United States to intervene in Cuba’s struggle for independence from Spain? How might the U.S. government have acted differently?

Cuba struggled to attain its independence for a long time. The U.S had its reason for the intervention in Cuba's struggles for independence. Cuba had economic strength of vending and merchandising coffee and sugar cane. Although with this economic growth, Cuba remained under the Spanish empire colony throughout the nineteenth century. The U.S had some main economic interest that was being terminated by the extended conflicts in Cuba. Shipping companies relied stiffly on trade with Cuba that agonized losses due to conflicts. This pressurized the Americans to intercede in Cuba's scuffle for independence.  The U.S  government might have acted differently through negotiations with both the Spanish and Cuban governments.

Assess the U.S. role in Cuban politics from the 1930s through the 1950s. What were the most significant changes, and what were the underlying continuities?

The U.S repeatedly intervened militarily in Cuban affairs. For example, by 1926, the U.S firms got 60% of the Cuban sugar industry and brought in 95% of the Cuban crop. However, interior disputes between the Cuban government and political opposition were marshaled to a military coup helped by U.S military intervention. In the 1930s, general Batista's rise marshal to an era of close cooperation between the U.S and Cuban governments. The significant changes in the 1930s to 1950s, the U.S government dominated most of the Cuban economy. Cuban government overthrew Batista to end U.S dominance of the economy. Since then, the U.S took countermeasures against any exports from the Cuban government (Perez  2003).

To what extent did the Cuban Revolution emerge from social and political conditions on the island—and to what extent was it a singular creation of Fidel Castro?

Cuban revolution first led to the U.S's ceased purchasing Cuban sugar and declined to impart much-needed oil; this showed a destructive effect on the island's economy. Then, every time the Cuban government nationalized or publicized American properties, the U.S government put strict measures leading to the forbidding of all exports to Cuba. It was a single creation of Fidel Castro since he noticed most of the Cubas economy was controlled by the Americans(Perez 2003).

What was the original rationale for the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba, and what explains its continuation to the present day?

The U.S restriction against Cuba averts American businesses from bearing trade with Cuban interests. The united states first restricted the sales of arms to Cuba during the Batista regime. Then, in 1960 the United States prohibited exports to Cuba except for food because the Cuban government nationalized American business. Finally, in 1962 the prohibition was almost extended to all exports. The embargo continuation is imposed mainly through six statutes ( Barry 2000).

What are the principal achievements of the Cuban Revolution, and what are its most significant failures? Would Cuba be better off today if there had never been a revolution?

By the end of 1960, the Cuban revolution brought a positive impact. For instance, all Cuban children received some education compared to the previous year, anti-discrimination legislation that helped improve living standards. Lastly, the Cuban revolution made equal rights of all citizens. On the other hand, the Cuban revolution led to the Cold war between the United States government and Cuba. As a result, the U.S ended the diplomatic relations and attacked ships trading with Cuba. Thus, the Cuban revolution has helped the future of its country as it is today (Dominguez 2008).