Cuban RevolutionAnd the Regimes of Fulgencio Batista and Fidel Castro

Just in case….

Background of Cuba (pre-revolution)

Cuba was first claimed for Spain by Christopher Columbus.

Columbus first spotted Cuba on October 27, 1492 and called it Juana.

The native populations quickly died and Spanish culture soon prevailed.

No much interest from Europe, but as the United States grows more powerful—they become interested in Cuba’s sugar production (especially after the Haitian Revolution)

Background of Cuba (cont)Cuba becomes one of the MAJOR sugar producing colonies

in the world.

Slaves are imported to work in the sugar cane fields.

Cuba changes from a sleepy little colony to an incredibly prosperous and important one to Spain.

Cubans remained loyal to Spain—by the end of the 19th century, Cuba begins to fight for independence.

Ten Years War against Spain (1868-78), 2nd war of Independence is fought as well.

The United States enters the war in 1898 (the explosion of the U.S.S. Maine)

Independence leader and national hero-Jose Marti

Background of Cuba (cont)The United States occupies Cuba for 5 years

after the Spanish American War

1902-Cuba attempts to become a nation, but the U.S. creates the Platt Amendment—which gave them the right to intervene in Cuban affairs and to lease a military base.

U.S involvement weakened the nation of Cuba and made Cuba much more dependent on the United States.

Background of Fulgencio Batista

Rose to the rank of Sergeant in the military

The people of Cuba were very unhappy with many of the authoritarian regimes of the early 20th Century.

Batista takes over the government is what was known as “The Revolt of the Sargeants” and took power on September 4th, 1933.

Batista was in control of the government for 20+ years, which was corrupt and authoritarian.

Batista was VERY friendly with the U.S—especially business.

Fulgencio Batista

Batista Background (cont)Opposition to the Batista government was not allowed

Cuba became a very popular place for U.S mob activity and was was known as the “Latin Las Vegas”

Moncada Military Barracks Attack: Fidel Castro and a small band of revolutionaries attack in hopes of gaining weapons. Castro and his crew are arrested.

The Cuban people were very unhappy with Batista, so he held a “mock” election in 1954 was “elected” President.

Batista is so confident in the “election” that he releases prisoners including Castro.

Background of Fidel Castro Son of a wealthy sugar plantation owner.

Went to the University of Havana to study law and wanted to be a politician.

He planned on running in the 1952 elections, until Batista orchestrated another coup and the elections were cancelled.

Castro was opposed to democracy and favored full-scale armed revolution.

Fidel and his brother Raul, attempted to remove Batista from power and were sentenced to 15 years in prison. Batista releases them both, and they flee to Mexico. In Mexico they will meet Ernesto “Che” Guevera and begin plans

for a larger scale invasion/revolution.

Fidel Castro

Raul Castro

Background on Ernesto “Che” Guevera

Born to a middle class family in Argentina, he studied medicine at Buenos Aires University and travelled widely throughout Latin America.

During his travels, he witnessed wide spread poverty and oppression.

Much interest in Marxist (communist) theory

Truly believed the only way to solve the problems of Latin America was through armed revolution.

Will meet and advise Fidel Castro in Mexico

Ernesto “Che” Guevera

Causes of the RevolutionPolitical: Repressive dictatorship of Batista, lack of

voice of the masses in government decisions, censorship

Social: Nationalist movement, land held in huge latifundia-.1% of the population owned 20% of the best land, 70% illiteracy, 25% unemployment, 54% of the rural population did not have toilets

Economic: U.S imperialism and control of the economy (U.S. “gangster” activity), lack of diversity in agricultural products, U.S. controlled much property and businesses, Cuba was a paradise for rich tourists, most Cubans were making $6 per week.

Revolution in CubaOther Cuban exhiles and Fidel, Raul and Che

formed the 26th of July Movement.

In November of 1956, Fidel and 82 men boarded a small boat called the “Granma” and headed for Cuba.

They would spend the next 2 years fighting in the mountains of Cuba-using guerilla style attacks to defeat Batista’s troops.

By early 1959, Batista flees (to the U.S) and Fidel finally takes control of Havana on January 9th, 1959.

Regime of Fidel Castro Challenges: Dealing with the massive amounts of poverty,

becoming a communist nation during the Cold War (while being 90 miles from the U.S)

Policies: Universal heath care, publically funded education (literacy rate is at least 97%, excellent universities), alliance with the Soviet Union.

Successes: Removed Batista from power, had the support of the poor/rural population, ended U.S imperialism, low murder/theft rate, remained in power for 50 years! Defeat of the U.S in the Bay of Pigs.

Failures: Many Cubans fled (to Florida) once Fidel came to power, many promises from the revolution remained unfulfilled, Cuban Missile Crisis, little economic success and almost total reliance on sugar, overall standard of living in Cuba is still very poor,

Treatment of Opposition Castro used his popularity as a way of maintaining power—

including his many social policies (healthcare, education, land redistribution)

Castro took power and got rid of all Batista policies and put Raul and Che in charge of creating squads to deal with Batista era “war criminals”. Many were tortured and murdered.

Castro controlled all forms of propaganda, censorship and did ban some books.

Left-wing socialist ideology—would imprison those who opposed or disagreed with him.

Castro’s major opposition was the United States—and he was able to keep out U.S influence.

Much of Castro’s opposition fled to the U.S. as he came to power.

Castro’s Propaganda

Legacy of the RevolutionThe greatest legacy of the Cuban Revolution

would be “copy cat” revolutions in almost every nation in Latin America.

There is a very large Cuban population centered around Miami Florida.

Since Fidel’s rise to power, the U.S. has placed Cuba under embargo (no travel or exchange of goods)

To be continued in 20th Century Topics….Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Impact of Revolution on Cuba

Policies such as health care and education were very successful.

Castro had survived many political challenges—including staying in power through 9 U.S. presidents.

Collapse of the Soviet Union showed how truly weak Castro’s economic policies actually were.

Standard of living (and the equitable redistribution of wealth) did not increase.

Tense relationship with United States

Impact of the Revolution on the Region

Cuba becomes a source of inspiration for other Latin American countries—also experiencing poverty and foreign imperialism.

The fear of “another Cuba” and communism in the Western Hemisphere, caused the U.S. to intervene in many countries during the Cold War.

The Castro Brothers

Current Events: Cuba Right Now

Fidel Castro stepped down from power in 2008 and his brother Raul in currently running the government.

In the last several months-President Obama has removed Cuba from the “list of nations that sponsor terrorism”.

President Obama and Raul Castro-first formal meeting between the two countries in over half a century.

“The world has changed—especially in Latin America”

Embargo is still in place, but diplomatic relations are beginning to take place—an official U.S. embassy in Havana?

President Obama and Raul Castro

Into the future…..