C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

#atozchallenge: R is for Russia

By 26 Comments

Bonus R: I’m going to be revealing the cover for Sign of the Green Dragon starting May 1. I could use some help with that if you feel up to posting for me. Just tell me in a comment and I’ll put you on my contact list for May. That is if I can still think clearly enough to do that. Now onward with this #atozChallenge, and don’t spare the horses.


Here’s to a great AtoZ!

Join in the FUN.

This year I traveled to Cuba. You know, it’s that little island that’s spitting distance from Florida and should not be visited without special dispensation. I wanted to see it before MacDonald’s arrived. I’m so glad I did. I learned a lot and I met some wonderful people. It seems they like us. Now there’s a change!

I’ll add a short T/F quiz to each post the same as I did last year about Burma, and I’ll post the answers to the questions the following day. 

Answers to your T/F Quiz for Q

TRUE 1. The Chinese influenced Cuban music. They contributed the cornetín chino (Chinese cornet) It’s a wind instrument. 
FALSE 2. A TRES is only a 6-string guitar, not 12. It’s known for a distinctive tuning and used to help create the guaijira sound-a strident rural acoustic music.
R is For Russia:
Source

Following the Bay of Pigs, Castro aligned himself with Russia. He wanted protection from the U.S. and money to support the newly established Cuban government. Castro joined the COMECON, an organization of socialist countries designed to improve their economies, and Russia was the key player in that organization. All was moving forward-if not as economically successful for the people as it was touted-when the Soviet Bloc collapsed and all economic aid ended. Now Castro was forced to look elsewhere for money. Venezuela in fact. Now that oil is in the (pun alert) “tank,” he’s looking closer to home. And that would be the good old U.S of A. Ergo, his brother’s now holding up Obama’s hand.

Your T/F Quiz for R:

1. The Bay of Pigs was an attempt by the U.S. to overthrow the Castro government.
2. The Soviet Bloc collapsed in 1969.

Answers tomorrow.

Comments

  15. True on #1. False on #2. My hope is that Cuba doesn't allow itself to be run-over with/by American companies. I hope they get the help they need when it comes to trade and tourism, but I sure wouldn't like to see McDonald's arches on the waterfront.

    Reply

  16. Number 1 False - The Bay of Pigs was all about the Soviet Union stationing missiles in Cuba.

    Number 2 - False - The Soviet Bloc collapsed later. President Regan was the one that challenge Gorbatschow to bring down the walls and that was much later than 1969.

    If you need someone to do tweets, I will do some tweets and place your promotion cover on my book review blog.

    Visiting from the A to Z Blog Challenge.

    Shalom,
    Patricia @ EverythingMustChange

    Reply

  22. Money drives the politician, no matter what country he's from.
    I'll say true for 1 and false for 2! But I'm still half asleep so if I'm wrong it's because I didn't read it right, and had no one to copy from. 🙂

    Reply

  23. I wasn't around (quite yet) when the Bay of Pigs happened, but growing up, every time the topic came up my parents' mood would sober. I believe that #1 is true.

    Thanks for the info - enjoying your theme. Have a great weekend!

    Reply

  24. 1. True (mostly, it involved exiled Cubans, but was supported by the CIA and military. 2. Nope, that's a little early! Did they say anything about Cuban fighting in Angola? Or is that something they're trying to forget?

    Reply

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