Newswise — Jana K. Lipman, an assistant professor of history at Tulane University, is the author of a revealing, in-depth history of the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Her recently published book, Guantanamo: A Working-Class History between Empire and Revolution, examines the history and varied uses of the base from its establishment following the Spanish-American War in 1898, through its expansion during World War II, and up to the present time.
Lipman's research highlights the complex relations of the American military base with successive Cuban governments and with the citizens of the Cuban provincial capital city of Guantanamo, about 12 miles distant from the 45-square-mile installation. She provides an analysis of the unique economic impact of the base on this part of Cuba, a region dominated by sugarcane farming. Guantanamo provided rare opportunities for employment for thousands of Cuban civilian workers before 1964, before the base was closed to most Cubans as a consequence of Cold War tensions.
Lipman also examines the ambiguous legal system in force at the base, citing a 1950s-era case in which "torture" by base authorities was alleged by a civilian worker who was arrested for theft.
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