Ch. 2 Cuba - Castro

Literacy Crusade

Also known as the Cuban Literacy Campaign, the Literacy Crusade began on January 1 and ended on December 22, 1961. The purpose was to decrease, if not abolish, illiteracy after the Cuban Revolution. The rate of literacy before the "crusade" in 1959 was around 60% to 67% and was mostly in the rural areas where there was a lack of instructors available. After Batista was overthrown, in 1959 by the 26th of July Movement, Fidel Castro took over the Cuban government and began implementing a series of social, economic, and educational reforms. This campaign was one part of the educational reforms Castro passed. The purpose of this was to counter the loss of many skilled workers who had fled during the initial turmoil of the revolution. The resulting "brain drain" was detrimental to Cuba's workforce. Thus, the government declared the year 1961 to be the "year of education" by mobilizing "literacy brigades" to the countryside in order to train teachers and build schools. The campaign was very successful and by the end, the literacy rate at risen to around 96%. It is estimated that over 1,000,000 Cubans were directly involved in this movement, either as teachers or as students.

Partido Autentico

Also known as the Cuban Revolutionary Party (Authentic), it was a political party set up by Dr. Ramon Grau San Martin in 1933 (following the Revolution of 1933), and was most active during the years of 1933 to 1952. With its theme of "Cuba for the Cubans", it was one of Cuba's most nationalistic and conservative party and emphasized both the social and corporate aspects. For example, not only did it support the labor unions (which made up a large part of the party's supporters), it also supported the economy through its tripartite commission, which included the businessmen, labor leaders and government bureaucrats. It was composed primarily of middle class supporters, opposed Batista's government and used armed political gangs and had ties with the US mafia. However, because of the corruption of the Autenticos presidencies and the US's refusal to accept this government, the party quickly loses power and eventually is defeated by Batista's own National Progressive Coalition.

Agrarian Reform Law 5/1959

Also known as the First Agrarian Reform Law, it went into effect on May 17th, 1959. The law was called for by mostly Che Guevara to bring about social justice through land redistribution. The main goal was to break up the major landholdings and give it back to the peasants who had worked on it as well as the state, abolish tenant farming and sharecropping. The law limited the size of farms to 3,333 acres and real estate to 1,000 acres. If citizens had land over this limit, it would be taken away by the government and redistributed to either peasants or held by state-run communes. Furthermore, foreigners could not be sugar plantation owners. Cuban bonds were issued to compensate for lands that were taken over. This law symbolized Castro's faithful commitment of his promises made in his "History will absolve me" speech.

Movimiento Estudantia

Also known as the Student Government, the Movimiento Estudantia is a Venezuelan student movement that was founded in 2007. It is in opposition to the presidency of the Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, and began as a result of his refusal to renew the concession television channel RCTV (Radio Caracas Television International), after charging it responsible for the 2002 coup that briefly overthrew the democratically elected Venezuelan President. The RCTV was a crucial media platform for many Venezuelans as it was the only domestic television program amongst the many private TV stations which made contracts with the government on what to broadcast. Multiple Cuban Universities are members of this movement, including Universidad de Los Andes and Universidad Católica del Táchira. On the students side, they demanded better quality education, research and funding, while on the educator's/teacher's sides, they demanded better pay and more funding. Yon Goicoechea, Stalin González, and Ricardo Sánchez are key leaders of this movement, which utilized mostly peaceful methods such as sit-ins and demonstrations. The RCTV continued to be an important medium for the movement in broadcasting their actions and helping them gain popularity. The movement also made use of social media such as Twitter. The Movement is not affiliated with any political sides.

26th of July Movement M-26-7

Although his first term of Presidency went relatively well, by his second term, Batista was well on his way to a corrupt and violent dictatorship. Continuously influenced and pressured by the US from the government, CIA, corporations and mafia, Batista was unable to implement much of the long-promised and needed reforms. Thus, in 1953 with his brother Raul, Fidel Castro led approximately 160 men on an attack of the Moncada Barracks near Santiago de Cuba, which is the capital city of the Oriente province. Castro planned to capture the military weapons and supplies and also the support of the people, thereby beginning a revolution. Unfortunately, his plan fails and many of his men are killed or are captured. However, this failure leads to his trail in October of 1953, in which he gives his famous "History will absolve me" speech. Through this speech, he was able to publically broadcast his vision (the Moncada Program) for a new Cuba, one where there would a more open and fair society, and which allowed him to gain many new supporters. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but Batista, in an attempt to appear more lenient, granted Castro and his supporters an amnesty. This failed revolution leads to the formation of Castro's revolutionary group, known as the 26th of July Movement (M-26-7).

Eduardo "Eddie" Chibas

Born in 1907 in Santiago de Cuba (died August 16th 1951), Eddie Chibas was a Cuban radio presenter and a politician. He used his radio to broadcast his political views to the public. He denounced corruption and communism and was expected to win the election of 1952, but he killed himself live to warn of his suspicion of Batista's coup and to send a clear, powerful message. In 1947 he establishes the Partido Ortodoxo, which was his socialist alternative to the communists (he was strongly anti-communist, and hence may be a reason why he is widely unmetioned even though he greatly influenced some of Castro's own thinking) and attracted many young students, one of which was Fidel Castro. Chibas's Partido Ortodoxo believed in eliminating corruption and bringing about revolutionary change through Constitutional means.

Fidel Castro

Born in August 13th of 1926 (died November 25, 2016) Fidel Castro was a Cuban revolutionary and the President of Cuba from 1976 to 2008. He was the son of a Spanish immigrant who owned a plantation. Because of his father's wealth and connections (did most of his business with the American-owned United Fruit Company), Castro was able to go to college (at the University of Havana) and study law. It was here that he was explosed to nationalism, anti-imperialism and socialism and became heavily involved in politics. He had amazing oratorical skills that drew people to him. He started a legal practice in an impoverished area of Old Havana and in 1947, joined the Partido Ortodoxo, an anticommunist political party, which inspires him to expose the government's corruption and to warn the people against Batista. In 1953, he and his brother planned an uprising against the Batista regime. The Moncada Barracks attack failed and Castro was put on trial. He gave his 'History will absolve me' speech and was sentenced to 15 years in jail, but was freed early on account of Batista's attempt to appear less cruel. He escaped to Mexico and organized the M-26-7 group to return to Cuba. The Granma expedition in 1956 took 2 days longer than expected which misaligned with the Santiago uprising. They were attacked while escaping to Sierra Maestra, by Batista, where they gained the support of many peasants. Castro won after the failure of Batista's Operation Verano in 1959, after which Fidel Castro and his supporters take power. His economic reforms were moderate at first but soon he started to nationalize land and businesses. He forms an alliance with the Soviet Union, and in 1961, after the Bay of Pigs, Castro declared Cuba a Communist state, adopting Marxist-Leninist ideas and denouncing American imperialism. In 2008, due to his deteriorating physical condition, he transferred his responsibilities to his brother Raul. All throughout his presidency, Fidel is noted for always wearing his green army uniform and hat.

Juan Almeida

Born in Cuba on February 17th of 1927 (died September 11, 2009), Juan Almeida was a Cuban politician and one of the original commanders of the insurgent forces in the Cuban Revolution. While studying law at the University of Havana in 1952, he became good friends with Fidel and Raul Castro. He joined them in the attack on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago, and would become an important player in the revolution's movements (such as becoming the General of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba). As one of the survivors of the attack, Almeida returned to Cuba with the Castro brothers, Che Guevara and 78 others on the Granma expedition and was one of 12 who survived the initial landing. During the revolution he served as a symbol for Afro-Cubans as a black man with a prominent position. He was a major during the Bay of Pigs Invasion and headed the Central Army with headquarters in Santa Clara. He was later promoted to General and held other government positions. He died of a heart attack.

Camilo Cienfuegos

Born in February 6th of 1932 (died 28 October 1959), Camilo Cienfuegos was born to a working-class family which had recently emigrated from Spain after the Spanish Civil War. Cienfuegos first started to have revolutionary ideas when he was still as student, and thus became a leading figure of the Cuban Revolution, along with Castro and Che Guevarra. In 1954, he worked with the underground student movement. Later, in Mexico, he met Fidel Castro, and subsequently chose to join his army to support his cause. Once he joined Castro's cause, he swiftly became one of the best guerilla commanders. One of his most distinguishable victories gave him the title of "Hero of Yaguajay" during a key battle in the Cuban Revolution against Batista. His death was due to unknown causes because his plane disappeared over the Straits of Florida at night. He became even more well known and honored as a revolutionary hero after death.

Fulgencio Batista

Born in January 16th, 1901 of Cuba's Oriente Province (died August 6th 1973) initially rose to power for his leadership role in the Sergeant's Revolt of 1933. Although a "new Cuba" was established following the Revolution of 1933 by Pres. Ramon Grau San Martin, no real reforms were reached and instead Cuba still suffered from the US's "puppet presidents". This allowed Batista to gain the support from the people which allows him to win the election of 1940. Furthermore, his humble origin of mixed-race (mulatto), impoverished peasant background certainly helped him gain the support from the people. His first term goes well, with him implementing many reform programs and at the same time sticking to his pro-American policies which placates both sides. However, following his US-backed coup in March of 1952, Batista leads Cuba as a dictator, using the military and the army to increasingly turn to violent means to implement his policies. This allows for the rise of Castro and his supporters, ultimately leading to their victory in 1958. Historian Balfour states that the main reason Batista's regime failed was "because it was corrupt and barbarous".

Carlos Prio

Born in July 14, 1903 (died April 5, 1977). Carlos Prío Socarrás was a Cuban President for a 1948 to 1952. He became politically active while attenting law school at the university of Havana, and was part of the coup in 1933 that deposed of Gerardo Machado's dictatorship and helped organize the Partido Revolucionario Cubano Autentico party. His most significant achievement was to be the first Cuban President founded when Cuba was independent and to enter office through universal and uncorrupt elections. However, in 1952, three months prior to the next elections, Prio was thrown out of office by Batista's military coup. Thus, his career as president ended there. He was often called "The Cordial President" because his term was very civil and promoted the freedom of expression. He proposed and enforced several public works projects and created the National Bank and Tribunal of Accounts during his time in office. However, he was also seen to be ineffective against violence and corruption and was unable to solve Cuba's economic problems. It is apparently noted that his death is due to suicide.

Melba Hernandez

Born in July 28th of 1921 (died March 9, 2014), Melba Hernandez was revolutionist who joined Fidel Castro, a fellow lawyer, in his attempt/revolution to overthrow the then-President Batista. She graduated from the University of Havana School of Law in 1943, and was a Cuban diplomat who served as the Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam and Cambodia. She was one of the two women involved in the 1953 Moncada Barracks assault and helped engineer the 26th of July Movement. She chose not to defend herself during the trial. After she was released, she kept in contact with Castro, and helped him write his "History will absolve me" speech. Upon his release, they rejoined forces in Mexico where they were planning about the guerrilla army and the Cuban Revolution. She was a Deputy in the National Assembly of People's Power since 1993 and has been a member of Central Committee of the COmmunist Party of Cuba since 1986. She was also the Secretary General of OSPAAAL (Organization of Solidarity of the People of Asia, Africa & Latin America).

Ernesto "Che" Guevara

Born in June 14th of 1928 (died October 9th 1967), was an Argentine doctor who was an anti-imperialist and a Marxist. He is most known for his role of a rebel leader of Castro's M-26-7 (met Castro following Castro's failed attacks on the Moncada Barracks). He, like Castro, believed in educating the peasants. Following their victory over Batista, Castro appoints his brother Raul and Guevara as the leading powers of the Office of the Revolutionary Plans and Coordination (ORPC). However, getting bored with his ministerial role, Guevara leads some of the expeditions to aid the anti-imperialist revolutionary groups of Africa and Latin America, but is killed in 1967 when his group is ambushed, captured, tortured and executed by the CIA.

Raul Castro

Born in June 3rd of 1931 (still alive), Raul Castro has been the President of the Council of State of Cuba and the President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba since 2008. (Under Fidel, Raul served as the head of Cuba's armed forces and as defense minister). He is Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba since 2011. He and Fidel were both expelled from the first school they attended. Unlike Fidel, he was mostly mediocre in his studies. As a youth, he participated in politicals and joined a Socialist Youth group. The Castro brothers sometimes participated in violent student actions. As Fidel's brother and right-hand man, he was made comandante in 1958 and given many important assignments. As president he is not as charismatic as his brother and stated that the communist system in Cuba would remain. His administration has announced many economic reforms, such as the lifting of restrictions on commerce and travel and allowing of privatization of military/government infrastructure. He has moved toward forming good relations with the U.S. and has shaken hands with US Pres Barack Obama.

Major Huber Matos

Born in November 26th of 1918 (died February 27, 2014), Huber Matos was a Cuban military leader, activist and writer. He began as a school teacher in Manzanillo and owned a small rice plantation. He opposed the dictatorship of Batista from be beginning in 1952 and became very involved with the resistance movement. He was an anti-imperialist and a strong supporter of democracy. He moved to Costa Rica for a few years and became acquainted with President Jose Figueres who helped Matos obtain weapons and supplies. On March 31, 1958, during the Sierra Maestra campaign, Matos flew 5 tons worth of ammunition and weapons to Castro's rebels. However, in 1959, Matos took different direction than the revolution by giving anti-communist speeches, which resulted in a long dispute between him and Castro. He sent his resignation letter to Castro but Castro would not allow him to resign. Matos sent a second letter of resignation and spurred Castro into arresting Matos on account of treason. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison because Castro did not want to turn him into a martyr. He later founded the Huber Matos Foundation for Democracy and most of the organization's efforts are invested in promoting democracy in Cuba.

Ramon Grau San Martin

Born in September 13th, 1881 (died July 28th 1969), Ramon Grau San Martin was the son of a rich tobacco plantation owner who attended the University of Havana and got a Doctor of Medicine Degree. In the 1920s he was involved in the student protests against the then-President Machado. After the Revolution of 1933, he becomes the next president (1933-1934; 1944-1948) and initiates the government known as the One Hundred Days. This system involved implementing progressive laws that reduced the work shifts, increased wage, amongst others. He is also known for his plan to create a "new Cuba" and declaring the Platt Amendment null and void. He is the founder of the Cuban Partido Autentico in 1934, which was an extremely nationalistic and conservative party that promised to put an end to social inequalities. However, due to several factors including the US's refusal to accept his government and corruption, he is forced to step down to Batista in 1934, but regains the presidency in 1944 after Batista constitutionally leaves.

Richard Bissell

Born in September 18th of 1909 (died February 7, 1994). Richard Bissell was a CIA officer who was most well known for contributing to major plans such as the U-2 spy plane project or the Bay of Pigs Invasion. He studied economics at Yale University, and before getting involved with the CIA, was initially appointed as an administrator of the Marshall Plan in Germany. The CIA first began to help plan to overthrow Castro during Eisenhower's term of office. The plan was approved in March 1960. The Mafia was involved to assassinate Castro, however the plan failed. Next, in 1961 the CIA proposed the Bay of Pigs Invasion plan to Kennedy. Bissell organized the team and formed the proposal. However, Kennedy rejected the plan initially, due to it being too flashy. Thus, Bissell revised the plan to appeal to Kennedy's ideas; however, the invasion failed in the end due to Bissell's underestimation of the loyalty citizens of Cuba held for Castro. Bissell quit the CIA afterwards, and became the head of the Institute of Defense Analyses.

Gerardo Machado

Born in September 28th 1971 (died March 29, 1939), Gerardo Machado was a general of the Cuban War of Independence and President of Cuba from 1925 to 1933. Machado lived on his family's cattle farm during his childhood. In his 20s he got engaged and started to grow and sell tobacco. He joined the rebel forces and rose to the rank of brigadier general when Cuban started fighting against Spain in 1895, becoming the youngest general in the War of Independence. Interestingly, he was a cattle robber and had only three fingers on his left hand, a result of his early life as a butcher. After the war, Machado became the mayor of Santa Clara and was appointed inspector of the armed forces and later secretary of interior. He became wealthy and rejoined politics in the 1920s. He defeated Mario Garcia Menocal of the Conservative party easily and became the 5th president of Cuba. His first term went smoothly as sugar production expanded and the U.S. provided a market. He engaged in many public works projects and built many buildings. However, Cuba's dependence on sugar persisted and U.S. influence increased. Machado said in his 1924 election that he would not seek reelection but he modified the Constitution so he could stay in power. He was known to be arrogant and dictatoral and was almost assassinated many times. His government began to collapse when his administration began to negotiate with opposition groups and during the Great Depression when he seemed unwilling to make social/economical progress. Machado resisted giving up power and the crisis escalated, the army revolted. He resigned and flew to the Bahamas on August 12, 1933.

Nikita Khrushchev

Born on April 15th 1894 in Russia (died September 11 1971), Nikita Khrushchev was the Soviet President during a portion of the Cold War. He publicized the crimes of Stalin, was a major player during the Cuban Missile Crisis and created a more open form of Communism in the USSR. He was the First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964. When he was young, he worked as a metalworker and during the Russian Civil war he was a political commissar. In 1918 he joined the Communist Party and was involved with the Red Army, from which he was promoted many times and supported Stalin's purges as well as approved thousands of arrests. Khrushchev was sent to govern Ukraine where he continued the purges. After a power struggle occurred after Stalin's death in 1953, Khrushchev won. One of his plan involved de-Stalinization, which denounced the excesses of the Stalin Era, was against the Soviet control of Poland and Hungary and relaxed the restrictions on free speech. Most of his policies were aimed at bettering the lives of ordinary citizens but were usually ineffective, especially in agriculture. He was involved with the Cuban Missile Crisis, which almost started a nuclear war. The failure of many of his policies caused him to lose popularity and he was eventually pensioned off and died of a heart disease.

Partido Ortodoxo

Commonly known as just the Ortodoxo Party in the US, the PO was a Cuban left-wing populist political party that was founded in 1947 by Eduardo Chibas. It was formed in response to the Cuban government's lack of control of corruption and the implementation of reform programs. Thus, the Ortodoxo wanted to reverse this corruption and lack of reform through constitutional means. The PO was open to all who wished to join and lacked internal factions or organizations. The PO was composed of mostly former communist soldiers, nationalists, socialists, landowners and the bourgeoisie and Catholics with conservative views. Their ideology embraces direct democracy, free market and respect of private ownership, economic independence, progressivism, fair payment and economic distribution, agrarianism, nationalization, fight against corruption, corporatism and labor rights they were anti-imperialists.

Attack on Moncada Army Barracks

Fidel Castro and his brother Raul Castro led a group of approximately 135 rebels in an attack on the second largest military garrison. Other notable leaders were Che Guevarra and Major Huber Matos. The group formed a 16 automobile caravan in order to give the appearance of being a delegation headed by a high-ranking officer. They planned to have the first group of twenty men led by Abel Santamaria take the civilian hospital at the rear of the barracks, a second group of five men lead by Lester Rodriguez would take the Audiencia Building. And third group of 90 men and Castro would take control of the barracks. The attack did not succeed and failed because of miscommunication, and Castro's group landed two days too late. Only a few people, Castro included, survived. They escaped into the countryside but were caught and put on trial. It is during this trial that he gives his "History will absolve me" speech.

1958 Pastoral Letter

Generally, the Roman Catholic CHurch has been slow and tentative in its stance to take a firm, public position against the Revolutionary Cuban government's communist-totalitarian aspect. Although Castro has refused religious cooperation, and thus the acceptance of the Catholic church initially, the Catholic Church was unable to do much, due to the fact the general weaknesses of the popes, but also largely in part due to the great popularity Castro enjoyed. Thus, it has thought it wise against taking too-aggressive of a position against Castro's revolutionary government. However, many pastoral letters have been written, one by the Pope Pius XII, which warned of the dangers of Communism and criticising the Revolutionary government.

Nationalization Campaign of 1960

In February 1959, the Ministry for the Recovery of Misappropriated Assets was created, with the purpose to expropriate land and private property under the Agrarian Reform Law of May 17, 1959. Farms of any size could be seized by the Cuban government and land, businesses, and companies owned by upper and middle class people were nationalized, including Fidel Castro's family's plantations. By the end of 1960, the government had nationalized more than $25 billion worth of private property owned by Cubans. The government also nationalized all foreign-owned property, especially American ones. By 1961, the government nationalized all property held by religious organizations, including the Catholic church. The government declared itself atheist and education also changed with the banning of private schools.

Revolt of the Sergeants

Known as the Revolt of the Sergeants, in 1933, Batista (a then stenographer) led an uprising as part of the coup that overthrew the liberal government of Gerardo Machado, taking over the Cuban government. A diplomat sent by President Roosevelt, Sumner Welles, went to meet several dissident groups in the U.S. embassy in Havana. On September 4, many radical young people gathered at Camp Columbia, an important army base close to Havana, and joined several representatives of members and officers of the armed forces. Batista and five other sergeants arrested the army chief of staff and took control. They removed almost every army officer and took control of Havana. Welles asked Roosevelt to send U.S. troops to establish order but FDR refused because he did not want to militarily interfere in Cuba. By September 20, Batista made Grau San Martin become the provisional president, which the US recognized. Martin made many left-wing promises for reforms but the government could not enforce them. For the next five years Batista ruled from the background, using such "Puppet Presidents".

Fundamental Law of the Republic 2/1959

On February 7th of 1959, The Fundamental Law of the Republic. This law, implemented by Fidel Castro following the fall of the Batista regime during the Cuban Revolution, was extremely significant, because it declared that Cuba would reinstate the previous 1940 Cuban Constitution, which had been in effect before the Batista regime when Batista suspended when he became the President in 1952. However, several changes would also be implemented under the reinstated constitution. Following the passing of the Fundamental Law of the Republic, Castro became the Prime Minister. Some main aspects of the new constitution were that it gave all of the political power to the cabinet. Castro's goal was to eliminate US influence and to allow Cuba to become a independently sovereign nation.

3/1958 Arms Embargo

The Arms Embargo would expand to become a financial, economic and commercial embargo on Cuban goods. Initially, the embargo was placed on weapons from Cuba on March 14th 1958 by President Eisenhower during the Batista regime. This was due to the armed conflict that occurred in Cuba by rebels led by Fidel Castro against the Batista regime. Because of the armed conflict, the United States was unable to continue trading weapons and arms with Cuba. To continue trade meant the violation of US policy which allowed the US to sell weapons to nations in Latin America as long as they were not used for hostile purposes. Next, on Oct. 19th of 1960, two years after the first embargo when the Batista regime had been overthrown by the Cuban Revolution, the embargo broadened to include almost all goods other than food and medicine. The reason for this was because Cuba had nationalized American owned Cuban oil refineries without giving compensation to the corporations who owned them. Finally, in 1962, the embargo extended to include almost all imports. It also mandated that other countries put an embargo on Cuban goods, but this has largely been overlooked by other countries. Following the Cuban Missile Crisis, there has been no physical, Naval blockade, also the embargo still exists.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

The Bay of Pigs was an invasion initiated by the United States in April of 1961. It lasts 2 days and was a failure for the US. The then-US President Kennedy sent 1,400 Cuban exiles who were trained by the US military and the CIA, however, the Cuban militia (implemented by Castro who feared a US invasion) discovers them and are able to hold off the invaders, providing enough time for the Cuban army (led by Castro, himself) to launch a counter attack. Seeing this, the US does not send any men to avoid responsibility and to maintain deniability. The Cuban radio broadcasts a message to the people that invaders were attempting to "undo the revolution", which then inspires a massive surge of pro-Castro popularity. The captured invaders are paraded in front of the media, who then publicly admit that they had been "trained, financed and equipped by the US", reducing any moral high ground the US had.

Committee for the Defense of the Revolution

The Committee for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) are a group of multiple neighborhood committees across Cuba (considered to be a secret police organization) which formed a network kind of connection. The purpose of the organizations was to serve as the "eyes and ears of the Revolution" and to promote social welfare and protect against counter revolutionary actions. The CDR system was initially created by Fidel Castro in 1960 following the 1959 Cuban Revolution. The slogan is, "In every neighborhood, Revolution!" Even in 2010, almost 8.4 million out of the 11.2 million Cuban citizens were registered members of the CDR. All of the CDR officials were to observe and monitor the activities of all people in a specified block in a neighborhood. The system is remarkably similar to those established by Adolf Hitler in 1935 to control individual freedom and spread mistrust and alienation. However, it has its benefits such as that it has helped to put medical, educational and other capaigns into national influence and includes a huge proportion of female members.

Communist Party of Cuba

The Communist Party of Cuba, also known as the PCC, was founded on October 3rd, 1965. This was actually several years following the Cuban Revolution. The party started from numerous small communist and anarchist organizations previously existing in Cuba since around 1900. Then, in 1961, the Integrated Revolutionary Organization was formed. This consisted of Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement, the Popular Socialist Party led by Blas Roca, and the student-based Revolutionary Directory led by Faure Chomón. The party's ideology adheres to a more Marxist-Leninist model. The party currently is in power in Cuba, although other political parties also exist at this time. The PCC is backed by Cuban constitution as the official political party of Cuba. Their platform supports workers, farmers and women more than others in Cuba, and tends to support military spending. Their main goal is to construct a more to further socialism and construct an advanced communist society.

1933 Revolution

The Cuban Revolution of 1933 was a result of the opposition to the corrupt and brutal dictatorship of Gerardo Machado. It initially began in the form of student protests, but the Great Depression of the 1930s allowed for further support from the people and resistance to Machado's violent police brutality. With the Sergeant's Revolt of 1933, however, the Revolution gained its biggest base of supporters. Lead by the stenographer, Batista, an army of mix-race origin decided to support the students. This eventually lead to Machado's resignation and the rise of a new president, Dr Ramon Grau San Martin, who promised a "new Cuba". Although he was able to abolish the Platt Amendment, amongst others, however, with the increased pressure from the US, he was finally led to following a more limited reform movement. His government, like Machado's, eventually fell into corruption and violence, which ultimately allows Batista to gain the support needed for the next election.

National Association of Small Farms

The National Association of Small Farms, (ANAP) is a cooperative federation (union of partially self-governing states) was created for the purpose of promoting small farmers across Cuba. The association's membership is over 300,000 members today. It was formed in 1961 before the Second Agrarian Reform Law. The members were originally restricted to farmers who held land totalling to less than 67 hectares. The ANAP was supported by the Cuban government through the provision of interest-free loans to its members. The Second Agrarian Reform Law put land over 67 hectares under the control of the State. In 1966, the ANAP grouped with the Federation of Cuban Women to help women living in rural areas to become more economically involved outside of their homes. This increased the rural labor force in times of need and supported the sugarcane harvest campaign in Cuba.

National Institute of Agrarian Reform

The National Institute of Agrarian Reform (INRA), was formed to implement the Agrarian Reform Law of 1959. The agency was created by the Cuban government under Fidel Castro. The first leader of the INRA was Che Guevara, who was appointed by Castro. The INRA was also responsible for implementing the Second Agrarian Reform Law of 1963. A main contribution of the National Institute of Agrarian Reform was its overseeing of the development of rural areas. Like many of Castro's initial educational, economic, social and political reforms, this reform was actually very beneficial to the citizens of Cuba, and showed to the civillians that Castro would keep to his promises made during his "History will absolve me" speech. The redistribution of land by taking from wealthy landowners and giving the land to peasants is a common trait or reform among communist governments, as can be seen by Mao's Land Law.

Bastista 1952 Coup

The Presidency of Carlos Prio Socarras became Cuba's "most polarized, corrupt, violent and undemocratic" since 1901. This, coupled with support for the Autenticos and Chiba's Ortodoxos, pushed Batista into the distant third place for the upcoming election. Fearing their investments, the US Mafia tried to bribe Carlos Socarras to resign for Batista, however, he refuses. Eddy Chibas, suspecting (correctly) a coup by Batista, announces his suspicions on his radio live. 7 months later in March, Batista does indeed go through with his coup and are met with little resistance. Due to his widespread support from the military, the police, the secret police (BRAC); claim that Prio had been plotting his own coup; promise to hold free and fair elections; and the overall public weariness from Socarras corruption, Batista was able to claim the Presidency easily.