Jorge Ibarra 01/10/08
BOOK LAUNCH
The Anglo-Cuban Treaty of 1905: United States against Europe
Jorge Renato Ibarra Guitart
Instituto de Historia de Cuba
In this seminar held on the 1st October, 2008, renowned Cuban historian Jorge Ibarra presented his new book on the Anglo-Cuba Treaty of 1905 which became an acute point of diplomatic and commercial conflict between the nascent United States and the British Empire.
Dr Ibarra analysed the contradictions between the two powers and their interests in Cuba alongside the different positions adopted by the new Republic of Cuba's government. Compromised by the Platt Amendment and the Treaty of reciprocity with the United States, the island struggled to develop an independent foreign policy in spite of its subordination to its northern neighbour.
In some measure, Dr Ibarra found in the diplomatic controversy of the time an antecedent of the situation in which the island still finds itself. Says Dr Ibarra: "Now as then, the island is trying to open itself to the world while the United States still tries to apply its hegemony over Latin America."
35 people attended the seminar held in the Henry Thomas Room of the Tower campus.
Dr Jorge Renato Ibarra Guitart is an award-winning historian and author of numerous books on aspects of 20th century Cuban History. He is currently a reader at the Cuban Institute of History in Havana where he also teaches.
To download Dr Ibarra's presentation and powerpoint show click on the icons below:
Jorge Ibarra Anglo-Cuba Treaty 011008
This event was recorded and a DVD is available. To obtain a copy please send a cheque for £5.00p made payable to 'London Metropolitan University', a return address and a note saying that you want the film of this event to the following address:
IISC
London Metropolitan University
31 Jewry St.,
London
EC3N 2EY
