Cuba in Africa

Cuba in Africa is a documentary that delves into Cuba’s involvement in, and impact upon, the African independence movements of the mid-20th century. In this lesson students will review the historical background of the conflict, including tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, and how the tensions of the Cold War helped fuel the conflict. The film features interviews from Cuban soldiers who served and commanded on the front lines, describing their own involvement in the war.

This lesson consists of three individual plans—an introductory activity that assists students in the background history and geography of the nations involved; a gallery of film segments from Cuba in Africa, accompanied by comprehension and discussion questions to guide students through the documentary; and the choice of a culminating activity that will ask students to build upon the knowledge they’ve acquired in a way that interests them.