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Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castro Regime, 1953-2011
One can explore through the content in this collection: correspondence, commentaries on Castro’s speeches, and statements from anti-Castro exiles, all part of the The National Archives (United Kingdom); as well as reports from Human Rights Watch, news reports, articles, photographs, music, books, videos and documentaries.
EU and its Borders, Internal and External
In Article I-3 of the European Union’s Constitutional Treaty, it states that one of the main aims of the EU is to provide “an area of freedom, security and justice without internal frontiers and with full respect for fundamental rights.” To this end, the EU allows for the free movement of Europeans between all EU member countries, breaking down physical and symbolic borders between the citizens of Europe. While many believe that the open borders help the EU thrive economically and foster peace between European nations, there are critics who state that free movement of citizens around the EU could hinder its ability to protect security and keep out illegal migrants. Over one million refugees have crossed into Europe in the last five years to escape conflicts in the Middle East. This migration has put pressure on the EU to revisit its border policies and determine how it can continue to operate with open borders and keep Europeans safe while regulating the flow of refugees.
Rwanda, Tutsi Genocide (1994)
From April to July 1994, between 500,000 and one million Rwandans the majority Tutsis were killed. The government led by extreme Hutu nationalists attempted to annihilate Rwanda’s Tutsi minority and all those who were against its plan. The genocide began in the capital, Kigali, and spread quickly through the country as people were provoked by the government to join the fight. The Tutsi-led Rwandese Patriotic Front carried out a successful military offensive in July
Iranian Revolutions, 1953-1979
In the 1953 coup, Iran’s democratically elected prime minister, Mohammad Mosaddeq, is deposed by the Iranian military, backed by the United States government. As a Cold-War related incident, it was suspected that Mosaddeq’s government would move to align itself with the Soviet Union. Operation Ajax is a covert operation by the United States CIA, which reinstalls pro-Western Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as the country’s ruler. In 1979 midst political unrest, the Shah is ousted, leaving the country. After 14 years of exile because he opposed the regime, Ayatollah Khomeini, Islamic fundamentalist, comes back to Iran and takes control of the country, choosing a government. The Islamic Republic of Iran is born, following a referendum. Fifty-two U.S. hostages are held in the U.S. embassy in Tehran by Islamic militants, requesting the Shah return from the U.S. to be tried. The first president of the Islamic Republic Abolhasan Bani-Sadr is elected in 1980. In Egypt, the Shah passes away from cancer. The collection includes videos, documentaries, and key archival material with correspondence and background briefs.
