1890s: The Cuban struggle for independence from Spain becomes a unified political movement under the leadership of Jose Marti, following unsuccessful, small-scale revolts. American intervention in the war is followed by Cuba's independence from Spain and a period of U.S. occupation.

1997: Cuba is now a communist nation under the leadership of Fidel Castro. In October, Cuba receives the remains of Castro's fellow revolutionary, Ernesto "Che" Guevara. Guevara had been killed in Bolivia thirty years earlier.

1896: The United States's foreign policy is marked by aggressive imperialism, an approach advocated by the Republicans and the newly elected president, William McKinley. Alaska is purchased by the government in 1867, and Hawaii is annexed in 1898. Following the Spanish-Ameri-can War in 1898-1899, the United States extends its influence to Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam.

1990s: U.S. foreign policy is characterized as interventionist. As a member of...