Cuba is divided into 14 capitals and the special city of the Isle of Youth (formerly the Isle of Pines). Christopher Columbus was the first European to reach Cuba in 1492. During that time the natives lived and made a living by farming. They grew items such as cassava, corn, and sweet potatoes. They consider smoking tobacco a part of their time. Several settlements were discovered including Havana in 1511 when Diego Velasquez conquered the island of Cuba. In 1868 the slaves in Cuba were freed by a landowner named Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, when the search for independence began. Then in 1886 slavery in Cuba was abolished. When they taught that the war was over, the Second War of Independence began in 1895. It was a war between Spain and the United States, which allowed Spain to throw in the towel soon after. The peace treaty allows Spain to renounce all claims to Cuba and Cuba becomes independent, but the truth is that it is governed by the United States. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned”?Download an original essay Although the booming economy has made some Cubans rich, the majority has experienced poverty (especially in the countryside), an appalling lack of public services, and unemployment and underemployment. The United States and other foreign investors controlled the economy, owning about 75 percent of the arable land, 90 percent of the essential services, and 40 percent of the sugar production. And for much of the 1950s Batista exercised absolute control over the political system. Despite efforts to modernize Cuba, most people remained very poor. However in 1924 Cuba regained a new president Gerardo Machado, but unfortunately he was overthrown nine years later. After a period of turmoil, Cuba obtained a new democratic constitution and elections were held. In 1952 Fulgencio Batista organized a rebellion in Cuba and became its dictator. At the time, compared to other Latin American countries, Cuba was thriving and its people had a relatively high standard of living. The literacy rate was high and health care was relatively good. Education in Cuba was of a high standard. Cuba was known for its writers. The entire nation of Cuba now undergoes significant changes when Fidel Castro becomes Prime Minister of Cuba in 1959. The authoritarian leader became a radical hero to millions of people and an evil oppressor to millions of others, especially those Cuban deportees who left home , family and possessions seeking freedom in other countries. “Castro became a force in the world by spreading communism, ending Cuba's relations with the United States, and once almost leading the world to nuclear war.” In this way the living conditions of ordinary people in Cuba became even worse. They suffered from food shortages. Thus Castro was forced to allow free enterprise. He also opened Cuba to tourism. Then in 2008 his brother Raúl Castro became president of Cuba, and then Fidel Castro resigned. ''President Raúl Castro (who replaced his brother after Fidel underwent surgery in 2006) indicated that he would like to open a dialogue with the American Fidel himself, after meeting with the congressional black caucus in early April, he reportedly asked: “How can we help President Obama?” — although his subsequent comments reverted to his typical uncooperative and abusive nature. The United States has offered an olive branch to a sick nation run by a sick man's brother, and no one knows what will happen next. Will Cuba respond by releasing political prisoners? Allow free trade? Or the 82-year-old former president and his brother will reject the nation that made it so easy for them.