The economic history of Cuba before 1950 -- Economic development and national income in the 1950s -- Monetary system strength and vibrancy of trade in the 1950s -- Economic participation and standards of living in the 1950s -- Education and healthcare in the 1950s -- Prospects for future growth -- Cuban communism: the road to nowhere -- The Cuban economy from 1972 to 2002 -- Sugar decay: a review of the collapse of Cuba's largest industry -- The Cuban economy from 2002 to 2014 -- Conclusion