Rise of Castro in Cuba - Assignment 49

Conditions that helped to enable Castro's rise to power

- Resentment of foreign domination - Poverty - Gap between rich and poor - Immediate economic problems in the 1950s - Corrupt and ineffective government - Lack of effective opposition

Economic Problems

-Cuba was a monoculture economy, almost entirely dependent on sugar. This made it very vulnerable to fluctuating market forces and dependent on the USA to buy most of its crop. -Ownership of land and sugar mills was concentrated in the hands of the upper class and foreign companies -Wages for ordinary people were very low and work in the sugar industry was seasonal. In 1953, the average Cuban family had an income of $6.00 a week, 15 to 20 percent of the labor force was chronically unemployed, and only a third of the homes had running water.

Social Problems

-There was a big gap between rich and poor in Cuba. -There was high illiteracy, especially in the countryside. Cuba's literacy was 76% in the 1950s. ( It should be noted that this still made it the fourth most literate country in Latin America at the time.) -There was widespread discrimination against afro-Cubans.

Pact of Caracas

A 1958 agreement between all the major political parties and organizations in Cuba, including the PSP, to recognize Castro's leadership in the struggle against Batista. This exposed Batista's political isolation.

Radio Rebelde

A radio station established by Castro in 1958. It spread news about the events in the Sierra. Because Cubans didn't trust the news put out by the Batista government, many tuned in. Encouraged by news of the successes many more joined the movement.

Granma Expedition

An expedition to Cuba of about 80 fighters who had been recruited in Mexico, including Che Guevera. It was led by the Castro brothers. The boat arrived late and its radio failed, so the assault was poorly coordinated, with planned uprisings from within Cuba failing to materialize. The fighters were ambushed and all but twelve of them were killed. The twelve escaped and hid in the mountains of the Sierra Maestra, recruiting more members.

Fidel Castro 1926-

Born the illegitimate son of a sugar plantation owner (a bit of an issue in Catholic Cuba at the time). Educated in private Catholic boarding schools where he proved both intelligent and athletic. He has a remarkable memory. He entered law school at the University of Havana in 1945 and got involved in politics, joining the Orthodox Party. He was charismatic and an outstanding orator, so he quickly rose to prominence in the party. It should be noted that student politics in Havana at the time were frequently violent and his opponents implicate him in two killings. He had a cordial relationship with Batista before 1952. Batista was a friend of both this man's family and his wife's family and gave them $1000 as a wedding present. This man planned to run for Congress in 1952, but Batista's coup prevented the election. From then on, this man opposed Batista.

Moncada Barracks 1953

Castro led an attack on these barracks on the 26th of July 1953. This gave rise to a new political party called the "26th of July Movement". The attack failed. Castro was arrested and many of his followers were tortured to death. At least one had his eyes put out and presented to his sister (who also participated in the assault) on a tray. Castro and his brother apparently escaped such treatment because the Batista's officer knew him from university and Batista was a friend of Castro's family. Batista's harsh response, including repression, torture and persecution allowed Castro and his men to emerge as martyrs. Also, Castro appeared to be the only one taking effective action against Batista. Also, Castro used his trial to make his famous "History will absolve me" speech.

Problems with Batista's Rule

Corruption -Amassed a fortune of $300 million by 1959. Organized Crime: -In return for kickbacks, Batista gave control of Havana's racetracks and casinos to American mobsters. US Influence: -Batista blatantly favoured US economic interests at the expense of his own people in return for military aid. The USA supported him because he was virulently anti-Communist and because he was good for business. Denial of Civil Rights -Popular Socialist Party (PSP) banned in 1953. Censorship -Used secret police to terrorize political opponents. -Used torture on opponents. -Closed the University of Havana in 1956 (didn't reopen until after the revolution) -Executed about 20,000 people, often publicly to intimidate opposition. (On the other hand, he didn't execute Castro when he had the chance.)

Behaviour of Rebels in the Sierra Maestra

During this period (1956-69) when Castro's forces his in the wilderness conducting guerrilla warfare, Castro's forces did not steal from the peasants and always paid for the food they were given. They respected women, provided doctors for the peasants, taught them to read and even helped with chores. Any soldier breaking this code was sentenced to death.

US arms embargo

In 1958, The USA stopped allowing its citizens to sell weapons to Cuba. This demoralized Batista's supporters and made it more difficult for them to get weapons.

Orthodox Party

Policies: -Anti-corruption -Wanted to nationalize US companies -Wanted social reform Drawbacks: -Leader committed suicide in 1951. No other suitable presidential candidate in the party (Castro belonged to this party until 1953)

Authentic Party

Policies: -Nationalism "Cuba for the Cubans, -Defended rights of workers and trade unions Drawbacks: -Presidents San Martin (1944-48) and Socarras (1948-52) had been from this party and they had been corrupt and undemocratic.

Popular Socialist Party

Policies: Communist Drawbacks: Banned in 195

"History will absolve me" Speech 1953

Speech made by Castro at his trial in 1953. Although only a small number of people were allowed to observe, he made this speech to justify his revolution and lay out his agenda.

General Batista

This man controlled Cuba through puppet presidents from 1934-40, He was president from 1940-44. He ran for president in 1952, but seized power in a coup when it became clear he wasn't going to win. He suspended the constitution and ruled as a dictator. The USA recognized his regime. Although he had instituted some social reforms and pro-union reforms in his earlier presidency, from 1952 onwards, He became increasingly corrupt, taking steps to increase his personal fortune. He seems to have been obsessed with getting the acceptance of the upper classes (who never let him into any of their clubs because he was of mixed European, African, Chinese and Amerindian descent)

Monoculture Economy

This refers to the situation of Cuba's economy, which was almost entirely dependent on sugar. This makes the island very vulnerable to fluctuations in the market and very dependent first on the USA then the USSR to buy its products. Since 1991, Cuba has had a lot of trouble finding markets.

26th of July Movement

This was Castro's revolutionary movement, formed in 1953 for the raid on the Moncada Barracks and named for the date of that raid. In 1961, it merged with the PSP and a student movement to form the PURC (United Party of the Socialist Revolution of Cuba). In 1965, this was renamed the Cuban Communist Party (PCC).

Platt Amendment

This was an amendment attached to the law stipulating the conditions for the withdrawal of US troops from Cuba after the Spanish-American War. It was also incorporated into the Cuban constitution of 1902: • Only the USA could buy, lease or be given control of Cuban territory • US had the right to intervene in Cuba whenever it was necessary. • Cuba not allowed to make treaties with any other country that would "impair or tend to impair the independence of Cuba" • Cuba also agreed to sell or lease to the United States "lands necessary for coaling or naval stations at certain specified points to be agreed upon." The amendment leased Guantánamo Bay to the United States and provided for a formal treaty detailing all the foregoing provisions. It was finally repealed in 1934, but the USA continued to regard Cuba as being within its "sphere of influence"

Corrupt and Ineffective Government

This was one of the conditions enabling Castro's rise to power. Cuba had a history of this kind of problem even before Batista. From 1934 onward the armed forces under Batista controlled the government through a series of puppet presidents. Elections were rigged. In 1952, Batista simply took over in a coup. Although he had instituted some social reforms and pro-union reforms in his earlier presidency, from 1952 onwards, Batista became increasingly corrupt, taking steps to increase his personal fortune. He seems to have been obsessed with getting the acceptance of the upper classes (who never let him into any of their clubs because he was of mixed European, African, Chinese and Amerindian descent) He amassed a fortune of $300 million by 1959. In return for kickbacks, Batista gave control of Havana's racetracks and casinos to American mobsters. He also blatantly favoured US economic interests at the expense of his own people in return for military aid.

Gap between Rich and Poor

This was one of the conditions enabling Castro's rise to power. Perhaps more than outright poverty, the contrast between the lifestyles of most Cubans and the lifestyles of the rich Cubans and Americans they saw around them. There was also a problem with inflation.

Lack of effective opposition

This was one of the conditions enabling Castro's rise to power. The Authentic Party had a history of corruption and undemocratic rule. The leader of the Orthodox Party committed suicide in 1951. The PSP was banned in 1953.

Immediate Economic Problems in the 50s

This was one of the conditions enabling Castro's rise to power. The falling price of sugar and rising price of oil led to inflation and job losses. Unemployment was at 17% unemployment. An additional 13% were underemployed. Many of the employed received low wages. The upper classes also saw their purchasing power falling.

Poverty

This was one of the conditions that enabled Castro's rise to power. Although most Cubans were better off than other people in Central America and the Caribbean, wages were low, housing was limited, and health care was unaffordable for the poor. Few rural areas had running water or electricity. In some parts of the country 50% were illiterate. Sugar workers were seasonal. At some times of year they could not get work. In 1953, the average Cuban family had an income of $6.00 a week, 15 to 20 percent of the labor force was chronically unemployed, and only a third of the homes had running water.

Resentment of foreign domination

This was one of the conditions that enabled Castro's rise to power. Cuba had a history of colonization first directly by the Spanish, then indirectly by the USA through the Monroe Doctrine, the Roosvelt Corrollory, the Platt Amendment, through allies like Batista and through economic domination of the Cuban economy. They bought most of Cuba's sugar crop at prices higher than the market rate, and in return Cuba gave preferential access to American products and companies. Batista blatantly favoured US economic interests at the expense of his own people in return for military aid. The USA supported him because he was virulently anti-Communist and because he was good for business. At the beginning of 1959, the US supplied two thirds of Cuba's imports. US companies invested heavily to build gas, electricity, communications, railways and banks in Cuba. At the beginning of 1959 United States companies owned about 40 percent of the Cuban sugar lands - almost all the cattle ranches - 90 percent of the mines and mineral concessions - 80 percent of the utilities - practically all the oil industry. Because Batista was supported by the USA, anticolonial forces lined up behind Castro.

Actions of Castro that enabled him to take power

• 26 July 1953 attack on Moncada Barracks: Unsuccessful, but his subsequent trial (1954) won him great publicity because he made his "History Will Absolve Me" speech. He was sentenced to 15 years, but released in an amnesty in 1955. He went into exile in Mexico to plan his revolution. The beginning of his "26th of July Movement" takes its name from this incident. • Granma Expedition December 2 1956: By any measure, this was a disaster. The only way it helped Castro gain power is that he was one of the 12 survivors (of the 82 man crew). He and his companions made it to the Sierra Maestra and formed the nucleus of what would grow into a guerrilla army. • Behaviour of his forces in the Sierra Maestra: They didn't steal from the peasants. They always paid for any food they were given. They respected women. They offered medical treatment to the peasants. They offered literacy classes to peasants. They helped with household chores. They executed any soldier who broke the rules. • Promised Land Reform • Radio Rebelde: A radio station established by Castro in 1958. It spread news about the events in the Sierra. Because Cubans didn't trust the news put out by the Batista government, many tuned in. Encouraged by news of the successes many more joined the movement. • Guerrilla warfare • Printed leaftlets • Used homemade bombs to blow up government installations, railways and public buildings • Sabotaged telephone lines, electricity and gas services. • Assassinated those deemed to be enemies of the revolution. • Treated captured soldiers well, which encouraged Batista's army to surrender.

Actions of Batista that helped Castro gain power

• Corruption: Amassed a fortune of $300 million by 1959. • Organized Crime: In return for kickbacks, Batista gave control of Havana's racetracks and casinos to American mobsters. • US Influence: Batista blatantly favoured US economic interests at the expense of his own people in return for military aid. The USA supported him because he was virulently anti-Communist and because he was good for business. • 1952 Took power in a coup - caused pro-democracy forces to unite against him. Also made it impossible for Castro to run for office legally. • Banned PSP in 1953, making it impossible for them to get power legally. • His Police and army imprisoned and tortured anyone suspected of being a rebel, including many innocent men and women. • He ordered peasants to evacuate whole areas of the countryside and treated those who remained as traitors. • To try to clear the jungle to find the rebels, he burned plantations, destroying peasants' crops. • Held fake elections in 1954 while Castro was in prison and the PSP were banned. • He rigged the elections of 1958 so his candidate would win.

Qualities of Castro that helped him to take power

• Outstanding orator • Phenomenal memory • Athlete • Charisma - able to inspire loyalty.