ABSTRACT

Cubans are very proud of their country's achievements as a free republic. This pride has sometimes led to lively exchanges among academics and professionals on the matter of why Cuba was in fact so distinguished among nations. Cuba's economy quickly returned to intense sugar exploitation to satisfy a growing export market after signing Commercial Reciprocity Treaty with the United States in 1902. The devastated rural economy continued recovering through the construction of roads and highways, financed principally by the rise of sugar production. After touching bottom in 1932–33, Cuba's economy began to recover in 1934 with the signing of a Commercial Agreement with the United States. In 1944 Ramon Grau San Martin entered into power, and during the postwar period the prices of sugar shot up, representing great increases in Cuba's export values. This bonanza made possible a broad plan of public construction and school improvements.