The Communist Takeover of North Korea

              In 1910 the Japanese took over Korea.  In August 1945 ( the end of World War II ) the Japanese north of the 38th paralleled surrendered to the Soviet Union, and the Japanese south of the 38th parallel surrendered to the United States. Therefore, with the Soviets occupying, communist North Korea was established.
             In 1948 the North Korean government was set up, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The government was led by Kim II Sung. Kim II Sung set up and followed the policy of "Juche", in other words self-reliance. Ironically however, the North Korean government's unrelenting hold on its people has led to the people being dependent on the government.
            The North Korean government neglects its people. An estimated two million people have died since the mid 1990's due to famines that resulted from natural disasters and bad management of the economy. Reports of torture, slave labor and public executions have also been recounted.
            In June 1994 Kung II Sung died and was replaced by his son Kim Jong II. Kung Jong II was in turn replaced by his son Kim Jong Un.
           Today North Korea is still communist, and ruled by Kim Jong Un. Currently North Korea is developing and alarming the world with nuclear weapons.
           
           

The Communist Takeover of Cuba

             Communist Cuba began on January 1, 1959 when revolutionary forces drove out the previous dictator, Fulgencio Batista (who was supported by the United States), and replaced him with Fidel Castro, a communist, as the Prime Minister of Cuba.
             Very quickly relations between Cuba and the United States deteriorated as Castro demonstrated his desire for control. For example although Castro had promised free elections, the elections never took place and Castro remained the Prime Minister. Also, Castro made it illegal to leave the island without government consent. On the other hand relations between the Soviet Union and Cuba were strengthened. In February 1960 Cuba signed a trading agreement with the Soviet Union which caused Cuba , instead of relying on the United States for support, to depended on the Soviet Union. In 1962 the Soviet Union stored nuclear weapons and some of their army on Cuba ( the Cuban Missile crisis) alarming the United States. 
          In 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed. This was a heavy blow for Cuba, who considered the Soviet Union a valuable asset. However, the Cuban government survived, due to tourism and investments from Canada and European countries. 
          In February 2008 Fidel Castro officially stepped down and his brother ,Raul Castro, replaced him as Prime Minister. To this day Cuba remains communist.


Works Cited:
 http://cuba.globalmuseumoncommunism.org/cuba/history?page=2
http://www.historytoday.com/john-swift/cuban-missile-crisis
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/castro-sworn-in