Research Summary
Research Summary
US-Cuban Economic Relations 1898-1959
Description
Rich Sicotte is conducting joint research with Alan Dye (Barnard College, Columbia University) on the evolution of US-Cuban economic relations before the Revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power. Currently they are focusing on the consequences of the Hawley-Smoot Tariff passed by the US Congress in 1930. This tariff had devastating effects on the Cuban economy, which relied heavily on revenues earned from the export of sugar to the United States. They are also studying the political economy of Congress' decision to raise the tariff on sugar and the subsequent development of the sugar quota system.