Castro

Platt Amendment

1902. Gave the United States the right to intervene in Cuba's finances and foreign relations. The United States used this amendment to intervene in Cuban internal affairs until the amendment's abolition in 1934. They prevented the influence of third-party countries in Cuba and guaranteed the US control of Cuban affairs.

Years of Castro's rise to power and important dates.

1952 (runs for election)-1959 (takes power Jan. 1). 1953-Moncada-fails. 1956-Granma Expedition -fails. 1956- Sierra Maestra Mountains.

List and explain the initial reforms that Castro implemented.

1. Corruption: made stealing from the govt punishable by death. Outlawed prostitution and gambling, which was strictly enforced. Kicked American mafia out of Cuba. (CIA actually sometimes turned to mafia to try to assassinate Castro...but that's a side note.) 2. Rents in cities: reduce the rent by 50% almost immediately. Very popular, but property owners weren't very happy. Many immigrated to the United States. This was an advantage for Castro because he could basically export dissent. 3. Agrarian Reform Law: Limited land ownership to 1000 acres. Divided up the other land and gave it to the poor peasants. For example, the first plantation he divide it up with his family plantation, permanently angering his mother. The only exception to this law was the largest plantations. Many were US companies. He's trying to bide his time and not make the US dislike him yet. The long run problem was that efficiency decreased. 4. Massive building projects: in rural areas especially. Roads/hospitals/schools/homes. Across Cuba on a massive scale. 5. Adult literacy programs: sends young educated people into rural areas to teach people to read and write. Known as "alphabetizers."

Obstacles in economic plans to increase productivity:

1. Cuba had a lack of specialized personnel and technicians, many of whom had left the country since the revolution. So the assessment of problems and implementation of solutions was limited. 2. Moral incentives were not efficient in increasing productivity and tackling poor quality work and absenteeism. For example, farmers and collective farms were forced to sell products at very low prices. They lost motivation to produce more than what they needed to survive. Therefore, sugar production levels were very low, and government plans to diversify away from the cultivation of sugar didn't compensate. 3. They continued to buy machinery from the USSR and increase their debt. They were trapped in trade relations of subsidized sugar in exchange for goods. By 1964, they had to return to intensive sugar production to decrease debt.

How does Castro stay in power?

1. Cult of Personality. Castro even blames himself for 10 million—actually said he would resign and everyone said "no!". Charisma keeps him there. He is so good at convincing people. 2. Base of support: people who lived through Batista's regime. 3. Support of USSR (steps in and basically runs everything). 4. Nationalism was drastically increased. 5. Use of force/fear and eliminating opposition.

Effects of the Year of the 10 Million

1. Deep harm had been inflicted on the economy. Agricultural machines had been overused, production of crops other than sugar had suffered, and forestry/fishing had seen classes. 2. Rather than raise the morale of Cubans, the campaign her exhausted them and made them skeptical. 3. The failure was a terrible blow for Castro politically. On July 26, 1970, he admitted the campaigns failure was due to the administrative apparatus, not ordinary citizens commitment. He offered resignation to a crowd that cheered his name, so he managed to survive failures political effects. 4. Acceptance of greater economic dependency on USSR. 5. Farmers' markets were reinstated. State owned companies were given enough autonomy to take some daily decisions without having to go through the state bureaucracy. Material incentives, like paid overtime, were introduced. However, Cuba continued to suffer similar economic problems.

Success of the Revolution: Significance

1. Despite not being where most of fighting was occurring, Castro was still seen as leader. Pact of Caracas. 2. Batista flees country on January 1, 1959 (with closest friends and like a million dollars). Leads to a 600 mile celebration and parade from Santiago to Havana. People are everywhere, going crazy. When Castro gives his final speech, a white dove lands on his shoulder, and people believe that he is Cuba's savior. Staged—ultimate propaganda.

How did Castro turn himself into the leader:

1. NY Times articles. 2. CBS documentary (says that Batista is lying, speaks in English). 3. Radio Rebelde (people began to believe them more than official radio, Castro is good public speaker, he made people feel welcomed/important). 4. Treatment of rural population (gained a ton of support this way). 5. Home terrain advantage (Sierra Maestra was dangerous for Batista's forces if they didn't know where they were, etc.). 6. Castro is personable and charismatic whenever he has the chance to meet people. 7. Strong leaders around Castro (like Che Guevara and others). *Significance*: 1. Castro is seen as a man of action. Moncada and Granma failed, but they built his legend. Man of destiny with an aura of invincibility. 2. Castro has two problems: a. Castro is in mountains but most of fighting is in urban areas. Distant from fighting revolution, but he needs to be seen as the leader. So, propaganda is super important for him. Already has the advantage of being the first to do something, and propaganda heightens his reputation enough that people come to him. b. Must break the connection between US and Batista. Castro is not really communist yet, we don't know exactly what he believed. But he MUST break the relationship between US and Batista bc he can't succeed against US. Needs support of US public, and Americans love the underdog. They can put pressure on the govt. Castro appeals to them by speaking English etc. In reality, Castro wants an independent Cuba, but it's a step-by-step process. Get rid of Batista first, then US. If he says he wants to rid CU of USA, he knows it will never work.

List the three methods that Castro had to consolidate power.

1. Remove all the people associated with Batista's regime. 2. Insert the 26th of July Movement into the provisional government. 3. Reforms to gain support/live up to the revolution's promises.

How did Castro eliminate opposition?

1. Show trials: not legitimate trials, with tens of thousands of people there in the audience. Set up so that the defendant had no chance of being deemed innocent. Just for show, for people to get their anger out. About 500 people were tried in this way—they were the leftover higher-ups from the Batista regime. Used the Havana Sports Stadium to do these trials. 2. "To the wall": people began to take justice into their own hands—decided on their own that someone was guilty and just killed them with no trial or anything. Castro encouraged this type of vigilante justice instead of cracking down on it. "To the wall" was a chant.

What were the two ways that Castro had to consolidate power?

1. With the Cuban people. 2. Getting rid of the US.

Pact of Caracas

1958: vast majority of the opposition parties recognized the leadership of Fidel Castro. Included all main political parties and organizations, even PSP. Heavy blow to Batista—exposed his isolation. (Movement had to make alliances with other political parties and define future of Cuba after fall of Batista.) Meeting of all leaders. Came to Sierra Maestra. Became apparent that Castro was the leader: really good propaganda (US people liked him, and he was pressuring Batista). Seen as first revolutionary (Granma expedition and Moncada). Charisma drew people in so even most of key leaders support him. Agree to form a coalition govt, eventually have free elections and democracy.

The Padilla affair and the "grey years"

1971: poet Heberto Padilla was disappointed with the Revolution. 1968: had been awarded the UNEAC poetry prize for his work Fuera del juego (out of the game), which contained poems that were critical of the Revolution. The 10 Million Tons Harvest had just failed, and Castro was prepared to be far less tolerant towards dissent. Padilla was arrested and tortured. He was given a confession that he had to learn and deliver in a staged public trial. Numerous artist intervened on his behalf, asking Castro to respect freedom of expression. Many of them broke away from the revolution. This affair was followed by the grey period. Artist were afraid to produce anything that could be interpreted as counterrevolutionary. Close surveillance was also extended to other academic and scientific activities. Little has changed in Cuba since then. The 1976 Constitution established that there is freedom of artistic creation as long as its content is not contrary to the revolution. Most Cuban writers who descended from the revolution had to have their work smuggled out of the island to get it published.

What did Cubans expect of Castro's new government?

An end to Batista's corruption, better living conditions, a redistribution of land, improved working conditions, better wages, living standards must be raised, health and education accessible to all.

Non-Aligned Group

A group of nations, mainly Third World countries, decide to become a non-aligned group during the cold war. The Cold War wasn't helping them, so they didn't want to take sides. They elected Castro as the president of the nonaligned movement, even though the USSR gave him all of his weapons and managed his economy. It made no sense, but it showed that he was incredibly popular and charismatic. Castro has become an international figure which builds nationalism: people are proud that he is an international figure. But in the process, he has forgotten about the economy. This international position was short-lived. In 1979, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Afghanistan was a non-aligned country, so they wanted help from Castro against the Soviet union. Castro has to decide who to support. Castro decided to support the USSR. He refused to denounce the invasion of Afghanistan and lost credibility with the nonaligned countries.

Castro's second try at reforms

After Che Guevara's death, Castro went back to trying for reforms. The children were fed, the kids of peasants and workers were given free education, he built healthcare facilities all over, and gambling and prostitution almost disappeared. But the US embargo basically stopped the economy, so it was very hard to get goods. People like gypsies and homosexuals were sent to work camps. Dissenters were sent to prison and there was very high imprisonment in Cuba. Castro started to be called Mr. there will be.

Monoculture economy

Agricultural practice of growing one single crop over a wide area. The production of sugar became the most important income for Cuba. The United States bought a significant percent of Cuban sugar production at prices above those set by the international market. In return Kubo is to give preferential access to American products. Cuba wasn't industrialized and was dependent on revenues from sugar to buy necessary manufactured goods and oil. The development of service and utility industries relied upon heavy US investments. Therefore Cuba's economy was tied to the United States.

Ernesto "Che" Guevara

Argentinian medical doctor. Traveled through Latin America, convinced the region needed a solution to poverty and corruption. Met Castros in Mexico and joined Granma expedition. Leading figure in Sierra Maestra fighting, icon of Revolution. After Revolution, responsible for purged of Batistianos and other opponents. Communist. Head of Bank of Cuba and Minister of Industry. Felt that Revolution had to spread worldwide, so went to Congo in 1965 in support of a revolution that failed. Killed 1967 in Bolivia.

Why did Castro fail to further improve the economy? Talk about this in relation to Hitler.

Both Hitler and Castro had visions/ideas of what they believed was right. They were very committed. But, Hitler was a delegator Bob Castro to try to do everything. He couldn't always be everywhere, and when he wasn't there, nobody did anything. Therefore his management style was not good. It didn't empower the people to think for themselves, because he wanted to make all the decisions.

American participation in Cuba by 1956 in numbers:

By 1956, America had over 90% participation in telephone and electric services, about 50% in public service railways, and about 40% in a row sugar production. US banks were in trusted with almost 1/4 of all bank deposits. Therefore the corrupt politicians were controlled by US interest.

Castro's Ideology: Work

Cannot have democracy or social justice if man doesn't have the means to honorably satisfy his material needs. Therefore, the state is obliged to provide these means, principally in the form of adequate production instruments and well-paid work opportunities. Work is a right and a way to achieve individual progress. Just and progressive compensation is necessary, as is a body of legal measures to regulate its conditions. Will also guarantee the right to organize and strike. By elevating the functional importance of labor and limiting the privileges of capital, will reach a state of solidarity and harmony between labor and capital that will increase productivity and benefit everyone.

Year of the Ten Million

Castro decided to go back to the one thing that Cuba could do and put all your eggs in one basket colon sugar! He states his reputation on producing 10,000,000 tons of sugar in 1970, which was double the normal production. To do this he had to turn society upside down. Factory workers, students, housewives, and foreign volunteers all came to help. To solve the problems left by the revolutionary offensive in 1969, Castro announced that he intended Cuba to break its previous sugar production record and reached a 10,000,000 ton output in 1970. Aimed to obtain from harvest enough money to pay off Cuban debt to USSR and, by selling surplus sugar, make investments to achieve economic diversification. Castro called it liberation campaign. Therefore, 1970 became the year of the 10 million. The sugar season became another battle for Cuban pride. Crusade that mobilize the entire population and became a political test for Castro. To achieve the target, he appealed for the militarization of labor, organized and disciplined like an army. Armed forces occupied the sugar producing regions and were put in charge of sugar melts. There was propaganda, like posters of Castro cutting sugar cane. To increase productivity, bars and theaters were closed, and Christmas/New Year's celebrations were canceled. They only produced 8.5 million tons which was a record harvest. But, Castro was forced to admit that they didn't reach the 10,000,000 ton target.

Problem with Castro: delegation

Castro traveled around Cuba and tried to solve problems himself. He was not a good delegator. He was the only one in the country who could make decisions. So this caused other people to not do anything when he wasn't around. He was always looking for the next project to try and help the economy, like draining the Zabata swamp, planting trees, and raising cattle.

Castro as Leader: Personality Traits

Castro was aggressive or intense, and he was willing to use violence in force to achieve his goals. He was strong willed, competitive, and athletic, being physically strong and tall. He was good looking, intelligent (taught himself English), argumentative, charismatic (friendly, personable, sociable).

Cuban Missile Crisis

Castro was fearful that the United States would send its military to take Cuba after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion. Therefore, he asked the USSR for military support. The Soviets decided to install nuclear weapons and nuclear missiles on Cuba. Positive impact on Cuba for Castro: JFK secretly agreed not to invade Cuba, so the Revolution was safe. USSR gave military and economic support to Cuba after this. Safeguarded the Revolution, even though it hurt Castro's ego. Negative impact on Cuba for Castro: Castro was not involved in decision-making, which hurt his ego. Cuba will be treated as a minor power (by USSR especially). (After Cuban Missile Crisis, Castro never fully trusted the USSR again.) BUT people see Cuba as the revolutionary capital of the world.

Success of the Revolution: what was happening as the Revolution progressed?

Castro's strategy=guerrilla warfare (hit and run, hide). Goal was to outlast Batista. Batista's regime is collapsing, and USA stops military aid. No longer supporting Batista politically. Batista's Army begins to dissolve and fails to kill Castro. Number deserters increases. Urban fighting (as most fighting wasn't done in Sierra Maestra mountains) was making Batista look bad. Lack of order, repressive actions/torture (like death of Frank País in Santiago). After succeeding against Batista's 1958 Sierra Maestra campaign, Castro felt that it was time to spread war to other Cuban provinces. Trusted Cienfuegos, Raul, and Che to lead different campaigns and was joined by volunteers. Once Batista fled, the army refused to keep fighting the rebels.

Problem with Che Guevara

Che Guevara is the one person in Cuba who is almost as popular as Castro. That's dangerous for Castro. Opportunity arises for Castro to get rid of Che. Che Guevara was useful to Castro... Until he wasn't. Che Guevara goes around the world in disguise. He's Argentinian, but he goes to the Andes mountains in Bolivia. Castro's and some supplies, money, soldiers, and promises to help. Che hopes to start a revolution. Brezhnev tells Castro that they must end the revolutionary movements because they need to make a deal with the United States. Said if they didn't, would send US to invade. USSR was being pressured by the United States. The two major powers of the Cold War are basically treating you but like a minor power. The deal was to try and reduce tension between the United States and USSR to prevent a nuclear war. To suit the USSR, Castro cut off contact with Che totally leaving him hungry, sick, and cut off in Bolivia in the Andes. In a battle, he was taken prisoner and executed the next day. Che Guevara became an icon of revolution in death. Given the choice between supplies from the USSR and Che Guevara's life, Castro chose to watch Che die in the Andes. Now, Castro is standing alone in popularity.

The influence of Che Guevara: moral incentives and voluntarism

Che Guevara was the president of the national bank of Cuba and later the minister of industries. Wanted communism. Centrally planned economy. Emphasis on moral incentives and self-sacrifice, meaning the people should work for ideals and values of the revolution rather than for personal gains. Moral incentives like Socialist emulation, party membership, state recognition, and more. Workers will get equal pay. There would be no paid overtime because it was seen as a personal contribution to the revolution. "New men" campaign: wanted to create a new man prepared to sacrifice himself for a higher good, a society ruled by principles of the revolution. Men would truly reach a full human condition when he produced without being driven by the physical need to sell his labor as a commodity. The individual would feel more complete, with much more internal richness and much more responsibility.

Castro's Ideology: Economic Independence

Cuba has sufficient resources for the achievement of economic independence. Investment in the country of the greatest possible percentage of nationally produced profits. When the majority of profits goes abroad, means of production are developed according to the convenience of the exploiting private capital instead of national interest. Country practically becomes a colony. The state will exert a policy of controls over natural resources, public services, banks, insurance, capital investments, and all other forms of production and credit. Will also reserve the right to orient and plan conditions of foreign trade.

Castro's Ideology: Politics

Democratic republic. Form of government and system of public and individual rights that will be fully practiced in real life — not forgotten in written constitutions and laws. Must first eradicate arbitrary procedures and evils that debase Cuban politics including: political parties without doctrine, immoral politicians, personalism, low level of civic consciousness among masses, abstentionist neutralism, and all their consequences, including electoral mercantilism, mocking of elections, police power, military hegemony, providentialism, dictatorship. Severely punish crimes against political freedom or against human rights. Civic education capable of giving the masses the indispensable minimum of political education acquired in a democratic system. Next, will adopt an electoral code. Will guarantee the validity of the citizens vote but at the same time provide the necessary educational means to ensure that the vote is always a manifestation of a conscious and constructive public opinion.

Breakdown of Cuban-American Relationship:

February 1960: Castro receives Soviet leaders (visit). Signs a trade agreement—sugar in exchange for oil/steel/iron. Skilled workers from USSR, because many of those from Cuba had gone to USA. May 1960: Castro establishes formal diplomatic relations with USSR. No other Latin American country would have done this, bc during the Cold War. If you sided with the US in the Cold War, you probably wouldn't have done this. 2nd half of 1960: US oil companies refuse to refine Soviet oil. Castro nationalizes US oil companies (makes them part of Cuban govt). At the United Nations, Castro degrades the US and takes a photo with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. USA responds by eventually stopping all sugar imports from Cuba. Castro responds by nationalizing all US businesses. January 3, 1961: USA breaks all relations with Cuba and eventually starts an embargo against Cuba. Therefore, there was a mass exodus of Cubans to US (started with Batista and then expanded to upper/middle class people). Significance: during the Cold War, losing Cuba to communism was unacceptable. It was the first country in the Western Hemisphere to do this. President Eisenhower (1952-1960) ordered the CIA to create a plan to stop this. President JFK inherited the plan and had to decide if he was going to use it.

Raúl Castro

Fidel's younger brother. Took part in Moncada, imprisoned with Fidel, exiled to Mexico where helped prepare Granma expedition. Fidel's right-hand man since 1959. Many key positions, including head of the Cuban Communist Party, Minister of Defense, and Vice President of the Council of State. Appointed President in 2008 after Fidel resigned for heath reasons.

Castro's Ideology: National Sovereignty

First objective of the revolution was to assert full sovereignty of Cuba. The presence of foreign bases and missions in the national territory, different economic pressures, and interference of diplomats who publicly take sides and issue declarations about Cuba's internal affairs all demoralize and impoverish the national spirit and make understanding between neighboring countries more difficult. Sovereignty is a guarantee of and indispensable condition of the peaceful coexistence of nations and governments.

Castro's visit to USSR 1963

He was extremely popular there. Soviets provided them with all the weapons they needed. Made a trade deal as well. Castro gets involved in a movement to overthrow governments all over the world with trained guerrillas. Castro is in a unique situation: getting support mainly from USSR. Castro is a firm believer in worldwide revolution. He is the most famous revolutionary in the world because he defeated the United States. He sees the opportunity to make Cuba more important than its size would normally dictate on the world stage. Getting free military stuff from the USSR in exchange for sugar, and they gave him oil too. Already starts them off with a pretty strong military that they used to back communist revolution throughout the world. There's a certain degree of pride for citizens in being a world power, and now, they have that pride in Cuba. Helps Castro maintain power because Castro seems to have made them a world power. The people think they are nothing without him. But in reality, the USSR was the one providing them with things, so they had much to do with it and it wasn't just Castro. This comes back to bite Castro later.

Push for command economy after 1961:

In 1962, Cuba changed the national currency, so people with savings and banks not belonging to the state lost all that money overnight. In 1962, rents were abolished in the cities. People became property owners virtually overnight. In 1963, the second agrarian law reduced the amount of land that could be owned by a single person or entity even further. After 1963, the state on 70% of the land, the rest being small farms which were expropriated in 1968.

Haydée Santamaría

In 26th of July Movement, sister of Abel. One of few women in Moncada, with friend Melba Hernandez. Distributed "History Will Absolve Me" speech copies. Fundamental role in developing Cuban culture. 1959 founded Casa de las Americas, key literary institution of Cuba. Visited by leading intellectuals and artists from all over world. Suicide July 26, 1980.

Castro's Ideology: International Position

In its relationships with the other American republic's, including the United States, Cuba's attitude is one of friendship and not separation. Take priority to extra continental relations. Independence is a path to fraternity among homogeneous republic. Constructive friendship between Cuba and United States. Mutual respect, especially in economic and cultural areas. Through this, Cuba can become a loyal ally of the United States while being able to control its own destiny. Combined the process of national integration with an increase in relations on a scale of equity and justice.

Castro's Ideology: Democracy

Jeffersonian philosophy. Must be a government of all the people. All men are equal, according to the tradition of Cuba.

Moncada Barracks Attack: Event

July 26, 1953. Castro's followers called their movement 26 July movement. It was named after the date of this attack. The attack was a failure, and about half of Castro's forces were killed or tortured and killed that day or the next. Castro was not captured that day, but he eventually gets captured, however he is spared. The Archbishop defends him and the Teaster knows that Catholic Church has a lot of power in Cuba. Castro is put on trial. He tried to use this to gain popularity and make a name for himself. He's good at speechmaking because he's a lawyer. He defends himself, and says that history will absolve me. Then he gets put in jail. While in prison, he writes HISTORY WILL ABSOLVE ME. Castro was let out of prison early. However this put his life in danger because he could be killed and people wouldn't know or have proof that it was Batista. Because of this threat, he goes into exile in Mexico.

The Revolutionary Offensive

March 1968: Castro launched the revolutionary offensive to move Cuba farther towards a communist state and remove the last marks of capitalism from the island. He emphasized Che Guevara's ideas of a new man, calling work a social duty. Castro ordered the expropriation of all remaining privately owned enterprises, like family stores, restaurants, candy craft stores, groceries, service shops, and street vendors. All were to be owned and managed by the state and put up the service of a centrally planned economy. Farmers markets were eliminated, and self-employment was banned. The offensive didn't achieve an increase in productivity, and it produced administrative chaos because the number of government agencies needed to organize different fields of production and sales increased exponentially. Also, high levels of absenteeism and vagrancy prevailed due to moral and sent it. The problem with collectivization was that it made farming less efficient. Therefore the revolutionary offensive was a failure.

Castro's Ideology: Nationalism

Natural outcome of geographic and historic circumstances that, from beginning, determined Cuba's independence status. Achieved nominal independence in 1902 but not yet economic independence. The most important sectors of the national economy is in the greatest percentage of their profits abroad. They want to get the whole country to benefit from its own wealth and economic resources.

Vilma Espin

Raúl's wife. Part of uprisings in support of Granma expedition. After Revolution, founded Cuban Woman's Federation (FMC). Member of several govt organizations. Died 2007.

Background: Cuban-American Relations

Starts with 1959. USA: wants to maintain its interests in Cuba (knowing it won't be as much as with Batista). Therefore, re-negotiate with Cuba, realizing that they cannot continue to dominate the whole economy. Cuba: Castro wants to have power. Power depends on the support of the lower class, so can't cater to US or will lose support. Negotiations are not possible. Therefore, Castro needs to break free from the USA: retain power, improve the economy, and get more control for Cuba.

Socialist emulation

Term from the USSR referring to a competition among workers as a method to achieve the set targets.

Dominance of USA in Cuba

The Spanish American war ended in 1898 when the United States defeated Spain. Cuba became "independent" but the United States imposed itself on the island with the Platt amendment of 1901. This gave the USA the right to intervene in Cuba for almost any reason. It also gave the USA enable base. This enabled the United States to have their military in Cuba as coaling and naval stations had to be sold or leased to the United States. The US forced Cuba to include the Platt amendment in its constitution. This was an example of Yankee imperialism, which was that the US tried to dominate Latin American countries in this time period. The Platt amendment was used many times in Cuba.

US Involvement in Cuba

The United States was constantly involved in Cuba somehow. And it was always good for North American S and bad for the Cuban people. American lackeys in government office were bride by the United States to give them business favors, like Public Works contracts, special concessions in swamplands, timber Groves, railway rights, and Harbor drudging. This broad and millions of dollars for the United States. Also, the Prophet State Americans got from the sugar industry were large scale. In 1901 America's United fruit company bought over 175,000 acres, cleared it, and set up two mills. Other big operators that much land, and all of them arranged to deal with the United States so the Cuban sugar could enter the United States at a lower duty than 4 inch sugar. On December 17, 1903, a reciprocity treaty was approved by Congress. This gave to Cuban imports a tariff reduction of 20% and two American products going into Cuba a tariff reduction of 20 to 40%. This preferential rate gave American farmers and manufacturers advantage in Cuba and further distorted of the economy of Cuba by making it more dependent on American imports instead of its own resources. The sugar industry in Cuba then underwent rapid expansion, and the US had things running as a large scale operation. They built 9000 miles of private railroads to connect their fields with Mills and had Cuba's government build another 4800 miles of public railroads to carry their sugar to nearest convenient parts. They built giant mills with the newest machinery to extract much more juice from the cane. They also imported thousands of Haitians, Jamaicans, and Chinese people, and housed them in barracks on plantations to ensure a steady supply of cheap labor. Therefore, the production was large scale, efficient, and cheap. Independent owners of Sugarland had to bring their sugarcane to the big mill now for processing under the big corporation's terms. Cubans' anger grew at this servitude to the US.

Cult of Personality

The leader become synonymous with the country. Castro equals the revolution in the rise to power, the revolution equals Cuba, so Castro equals Cuba. Cubans begin to see Castro as their country. The leader becomes sort of mythical, someone in the country can't live with that, so people follow him no matter what. Cuba is a small island and a community, and Castro is always out there with the people. For example he played baseball with the people. His charisma, his individual personality one a lot of people over. Women swarmed all over him so he didn't give any information about his women because that would dilute his power. Married a woman named Dalia in 1980, and had kids and grandkids but kept it hidden. Wanted to remain an alluring guy so people would still be attracted to him. People tend to be attracted to people with power.

How did Castro consolidate power with the Cuban people?

The plan for the government was to create a provisional government and then create a democratic republic with free elections. At first, Castro was only the commander of the Armed Forces, not officially in the government. But in reality, he was operating his own government. He began to eliminate opposition with show trials and vigilante justice. Huber Matos, one of the rebel leaders/commanding general/friend of Castro, disapproved of Castro's actions. He wanted democracy and didn't like the influence of communism or the fact the Castro was making all the decisions. So, Castro sent him to jail for 20 years. Castro implemented reforms as well. Significance: Castro was taking all the power. Provisional government leaders resigned and many left Cuba. There were no elections. Also, Castro's popularity increased a lot. The Cuban people turned over control to him and put all their faith in him, essentially allowing him to become a dictator. Castro takes advantage of this for a long time.

Problem with economy and how Castro tried to solve it/success

The problem with the economy it was that it was a monoculture based on sugar, and the fall embargo from the USA of January 1961 produced issues. The US was a dominant economic power in the world and they were right next-door to each other, so that was problematic for Cuba. Caster to try to solve it with new currency, diversifying the economy, making a command economy with central planning, doing a new man campaign, which was doing work to better society, not yourself. Castro was successful in that: he took people out of poverty/decreased poverty with the agrarian reform law, a decrease in rent, building schools, building a national healthcare system/hospitals, and building infrastructure. He was not successful in that: he couldn't diversify the economy, he was still dependent on the USSR because they were buying cube of sugar, absenteeism (people not going to work), lack of highly skilled workers because a lot of people have left Cuba due to the new economy. He took away farms and all businesses in the revolutionary offensive, nationalizing everything, and this was a failure.

Method: Insert the 26th of July Movement into the provisional government.

The provisional government established in January 1959 had a significant number of liberals who hoped to moderate the left-wing elements, including 26 July movement and the communist party members. Wanted a government led by moderates. Castro set up an office outside the presidential palace and Havana Hilton hotel as commander of Cuban and forces. The real authority was held by Castro from the start. This was seen everywhere and by everyone. He had almost daily speeches to appeal to the hopes of political freedom, social justice, and economic security. Went out into the streets, traveled across the country to meet people face-to-face. Cubans had never experienced this approach before. Castro even fixed tractors and refrigerators for people. Six weeks after the provisional government took over, the Prime Minister resigned unexpectedly, and Castro took his place. This allowed the revolution to move quickly by implementing reforms that led to the transformation of the country into a communist state by the end of 1961. Liberals and moderates resigned or were forced out. They were replaced by Castro's men and communist. The communist party appeared in the Armed Forces leading to the wholesale resignation and sometimes arrest of anti-communist officers. In 1961, various revolutionary organizations that have acted against Batista were unified under the integrated revolutionary organizations, which aimed to provide the government with a political party of its own. Formed by 26 July movement, the PSP, and a revolutionary student organization. Renamed it the Cuban communist party in 1965. Formation of one government sponsored political party. This party was the only officially authorized party in Cuba and has ruled since 1965. Other political parties are banned and can't participate in elections. This party has a newspaper(GRANMA), a youth branch (Young Communist League), and a children's organization (José Martí Pioneers). Not everyone in Castro's inner circle approved of the communist shift.

Base of support

When Castro came, the economy was super bad. It wasn't that hard to take it up a level. With the agrarian reform law, immediately improve the lives of peasants. When he decreased the rents in cities by 50%, people got more money overnight. He got rid of corruption by outlying prostitution and gambling led by mafias. He build hospitals, free healthcare systems. Schools improved future prospects. Build roads which improved in infrastructure. He created a group of people that will pretty much support him no matter what. They lived through Batista, corruption, mistreatment, and economic discrimination. However, the Cubans who were born after are the ones who won't necessarily understand why they have to wait in line for food etc. Eventually, there are two groups: people who lived under Batista and always supported Castro, then the others who hadn't lived under Batista. Castro could never take the economy past this point because of the US trade embargo. Therefore, the economy was still a monoculture and still a problem.

Effects of Castro's reforms:

1. Allowed Castro and PSP to become more popular among many sectors of society and to consolidate their position in the government. Many Cubans became less concerned about when Castro would call for the elections and restore the constitution. 2. Certain level of resistance to the changes. Small group supposed the piece at the revolution and took up arms in some parts of Cuba. Local opposition was controlled by the government and didn't lead to major crises, mainly because Castro still allowed those against the revolution to leave Cuba. From January 1959 to October 1962, approximately 250,000 people left Cuba. These included former batistianos, middle-class citizens who feared revolution, members of religious congregations who disliked communist reforms. 3. Opposition from USA: Relations between USA and Cuba deteriorated dramatically between 1959 and 1962. Two major incidents—Bay of Pigs invasion (1961) and Cuban Missile Crisis (1962).

Moncada Barracks Attack: Significance

1. Shows the people that Castro is a man of action. He tried to overthrow the regime. This was a big deal for both Castro and Hitler. It allowed them to say, look what I've done for you. 2. Makes Castro a nationwide figure, beginning his rise to leadership. 3. Demonstrates the brutality of Batista's regime. After the response to Moncada, Batista's popularity decreased even more. Therefore, the long-term impact of Moncada is huge and starts a movement..

Bay of Pigs Invasion

1961. US plan to use Cuban exiles, trained as a para military force, to return to Cuba and overthrow Castro. Happened April 17-19, 1961. JFK had promised to be tough against the penetration of Marxism in Latin America. Approved the plan that had been developed by Eisenhowers administration (1953 to 1961). Cuban exiles trained in preparation to invade Cuba to start a popular uprising against Castro. United States troops weren't supposed to be directly involved. The Cuban revolutionary council (anti-Castro group exiled to the United States) would take over and form a provisional government after the fall of Castro. The operation was a failure on many levels. Cuban forces led by Castro himself to feed them. They imprisoned over 1000 participants. Significance: 1. Castro emerged from the Bay of Pigs more powerful than before. Victory against the United States made Cubans believe that Castro was strengthening Cuba. Reinforced the credibility of the revolution. 2. The image of Castro leading the resistance add a new dimension to his hero worship and reinforced Cuban nationalism—cult of personality. 3. Castro could demand increasing commitment to the revolution because they had a visible enemy. Cubans had to be united and accept Castro's leader ship in preparation for another attack. 4. Tempted the USSR to establish stronger military ties with Cuba and a military presence within Cuba itself. 5. Castro can now say that any opposition to the revolution is associated with supporting the US. Crack down on dissidence in Cuba.

Granma Expedition: Background

Castro is an exile in Mexico, trying to regroup and plan another revolution. They are, he meets Che Guevara. Che is from Argentina, a doctor, a revolutionary, young like Castro, and hates the United States. He becomes one of Castro's right hand men. The Granma is a small yacht.

After the Granma Expedition in the Sierra Maestra...

After getting to the sierra Maestra mountains, Castro gathered the man he brought and staged a successful attack on a small army outpost in the town of La Plata. The victory gave them the weapons, food, medical supplies, and morale boost that they needed. Castro had to tell the Cuban people that he was alive and fighting, so at the end of January 1957, he sent words to supporter in Havana that he wanted to meet with an American journalist. This offer reached the New York Times. Senior editor Herbert L Matthews met with Castro on February 17, 1957 at a mountain rendezvous. Castor tried to create the impression that he had a major combat force with him. Men marched past the reporter repeatedly, each time in different clothes. Castro referred to sometimes to other, nonexistent guerilla camps in the area. It seems he had an art large army at his disposal. Matthews article aired February 24, and painted the Fidelistas is in glowing terms, describing them as a major threat to the Batista regime. The story gave the movement sudden international prestige. Castro became a romantic hero in the United States. In Cuba proof of his survival gave him an aura of invisibility and made him appear as Cuba's man of destiny. His apparent command of a large army made the movement a leader among the Cuban opposition. Money was given to Castro from all over Cuba. Spring 1957: mountain peasants and idealistic young men from the cities made Castro's ranks grow. Won victories against govt troops and expanded influence to extend over the entire Sierra Maestra.

The triumph of the revolution

After success against Batista in the Sierra Maestra, Castro thought it was time to spread war to other Cuban provinces. Trusted Cienfuegos, Raúl, and Che Guevara to lead campaigns, joined by volunteers. By Christmas 1958, Santa Clara had been taken. Raúl and Fidel marches towards Santiago de Cuba. At same time, in Havana, rebel leaders increased acts of sabotage and their attacks against army installations. Batista fled on January 1, 1959. He felt politically isolated and unable to control the situation. The army refused to keep fighting rebels and a cease-fire was immediately ordered. Soon after, Fidel Castro and his bearded men entered Havana and established a provisional government. One explanation for Castro's rise to power was his charisma. A leader is set apart from the rest of the people due to exceptional personal qualities or exemplary action. They can ask inspire loyalty among their followers. Charismatic leaders promote and make the revolutionary process possible by their ability to represent people's needs and aspirations in a vision of the future. They reject an old order and talk about the attractive future possibilities for the people. The 1959 revolutionaries worth larger than life, the stuff of legends and lore, books, songs, poems, films. They were the hope of the hopeful, the folk heroes. People treated Castro like the last in a long line of Cuban heroes, but unlike the others, he had survived and prevailed.

Method: Reforms to gain support/live up to the revolution's promises.

Castro gave many speeches immediately after Batista's overthrow. These focused on the challenges ahead and the proposed solutions. He offered every sector of society what they needed: work for the unemployed, land for the rural workers, improved working conditions for the urban workers, promised middle-class that they could become professionals, women would have equal work conditions to men. Castro portrayed himself as a man of action, designing policies to enact the changes. The most significant measure was the agrarian reform act. Other reforms included an increase in wages and a decrease in rent. Great enthusiasm in the lower classes, but the reforms antagonize the middle and upper classes. Foreign owned companies faced waves of strikes as workers took advantage of more favorable political situation to demand higher wages and better working conditions. These people who were on strike found support in the new government which intervened many times, often favoring the workers. Some foreign companies were threatened with expropriation, accused of representing countries that had provided Batista with weapons. Important taxes were imposed on luxury goods with several Ames, wanted to reduce their imports so less money was spent on them by Cubans, and money was raised with these taxes with the help of using it to invest in industrialization and diversification of the economy. Sales to Cuba from USA decreased by as much as 35%.

Castro as Leader: Background

Castro was raised in a family that was wealthy on a big plantation in the far east of Cuba. This was a rural setting that was far from Havana, the capital, where everything happened. Havana was the power base. However Castro went to high school in Havana. Castro was considered a hick because of the rural setting. People thought that he was not cultured, modern, or up-to-date. He was also illegitimate being born out of wedlock, and this was look down upon because Cuba was a largely Catholic country. Castro's family was also new money. This was as opposed to old money, from generations, which had the power and was based in Havana. Castro was not one of the ruling class.

Castro as Leader: Education

Castro went to high school in Havana. He went to the University of Havana for college. There he got involved in politics, and joined again. His name was thrown around in relation to some murders.

Method: remove all the people associated with Batista's regime.

Citizens from the Batista government and the Armed Forces were imprisoned. Castro confiscated their properties and brought them to trial. They were either executed or given long prison sentences. The trials were short and didn't conform to the standards of justice. These were criticized in Cuba and the United States for not offering human rights guarantees to the prisoners. Castro's response was that immediate justice was more necessary than a fair trial since these people endangered the revolution.

Celia Sánchez

Close friend of Fidel, early member of 26th of July Movement. Provided land support for Granma expedition. In Sierra Maestra, contributed to founding of female "Mariann Grajales" army. Different govt positions, died 1980.

Dance of the Millions

During World War I, there was a worldwide sugar shortage that cost prices to sore after the war. Sugar operators bought land, improved Mills by borrowing money from the banks. But the price dropped way down through summer to December. The big companies then swallowed the small ones that couldn't survive. Sugar mill owners couldn't repay loans, so thanks couldn't pay depositors and they closed. A large number of properties in Cuba were taken over by American corporations. American banks came into the country. This event clinched American domination of Cuba. By 1926, 63% of Cuba's sugar production came from American-owned mills.

Castro's Ideology: Freedom of Conscience (religion)

Each citizen is free to sustain whatever creed or religion he wants, or none, as long as his attitude doesn't diminish human dignity or endanger the rights and freedoms of others. Give no one religion privileges/special permit/no official religion. Found in thought and behavior of founding fathers.

Political Parties during Batista's rule

Cuban political parties didn't seem to offer a genuine alternative to the existing order when Batista ruled. The two main parties were the authentic party and the orthodox party. There were also communist represented by the popular socialist party. Neither the authentic party nor the orthodox party were capable of responding effectively to Batista's seizure of power. The orthodox party was leaderless, and the authentic party couldn't lead. After 1952 these parties became irrelevant to a solution of the political crises. Both condemned the violation of the 1940 Constitution, but neither had a program or plan to respond with action.

The Cuban Problem:

Cubans had to figure out what to do about succession of corrupt politicians who were lackeys of the foreign investors and ran the government not in the interest of the Cuban people but for their own enrichment. They wanted to get rid of them. Therefore, conditions were right in Cuba for revolution.

List the conditions in Cuba during Castro's rise.

Economy going down, Batista Regime, Dominance of USA.

Castro's Ideology: Education

Education is the radical solution to be implemented by the revolution. Cannot have a father land without national consciousness or a democracy without citizens. The intelligent and systematic process of educational and environmental factors which, together with the function of instructing culture and skills, will be directed at forming in the individual the fundamental traits for citizenship and patriotism. Cuban education will cover cultural, vocational, civic, and national aspect. Aimed towards the achievement of the subjective goals (values of freedom and fatherland) and the objective goals (cultural, vocational, and technical preparation of the Citizen). Must have moral and philosophical content. Morality and education will be universal to all men in spite of belief differences. Public education must be absolutely secular to prevent discrimination.

Castro's Ideology: Social Justice

Establish an order in which all political, social, economic, and cultural unalienable rights as a human being are met fully and guaranteed. Capitalism leads inevitably to the accumulation of wealth in a few hands, while the majority is exploited. Forces the advanced nations, including the United States, to resort to economic planning techniques that will guarantee the production and consumption in accordance with the needs of the social order. Want a system of economic planning that would be capable of freeing Cuba of of monoculture, concessions, monopolist privileges, and other expressions of a colonial economy. For each Cuban an opportunity for material progress and dignity.

Essential aims of the Cuban Revolution

Free and sovereign fatherland, democratic republic, independent economy, culture of its own. None of these calls can exist without the other. The ideology will come from the land of Cuba and the Cuban people, not from another country, but guided by the ideals of democracy, nationalism, and social justice.

Batista's rule

From 1952 to 1959, Fulgencio Batista ruled. His regime was characterized by political corruption, and economic downturn, and social and political unrest. He used repression to maintain control. The economy went down because sugar prices decreased on the international market. It was more expensive to purchase the goods that Cuba didn't make. It was the deterioration of the terms of trade, or the relationship between the price is at widget country sells its exports and the price is paid for its imports. Because of obligation is to America, Cuba could not successfully develop an industry to substitute its imports. Increasing import costs lead to shortages and inflation. Oil price increasing affected transportation and operation of sugar mills, increasing unemployment to 17% in the late 1950s. Even the employed had low wages. Opposition to the T-Stat intensified from rural workers, urban workers, student unions, and higher social classes who were losing purchasing power and having their businesses affected by economic uncertainty. This opposition was unorganized and had no leader.

Batista Regime

Fulgencio Batista took over power with a military coup in 1952. It was an armed revolution. At the time, Castro was running for political office and had a good chance of winning for the orthodox party. Batista pretended to have a democracy but he actually made himself a dictator, so the elections never happened. The regime was corrupt, with bribes, connections with US corporations, and gambling/prostitution. Havana was like Las Vegas. There was also a mafia in Cuba. It was also a repressive regime, where people were arrested, tortured, and killed in public, a lot of times due to political dissent or sometimes even arbitrarily. This was meant to send a message not to dissent. A lot of people hated what was going on in the regime.

Cuban independence

In 1898, the Cubans finally got rid of the Spanish rule from the Spanish American war with the help of the United States. The treaty of Paris between Spain and the United States that year established that Spain last sovereignty over Cuba and Cuba was placed under military occupation of the United States for five years. In 1902, the republic of Cuba was declared. However, the Platt Amendment was part of the republic.

Celia Sánchez

Helped the Fidelistas by getting them supplies from the outside world and making sure shipments got past govt controls. Met Castro for the first time in February 1957. Moved into the mountains and quickly became his most trusted aide and companion. Calm and organized. Turned Castro's grand schemes into functioning realities. Kept him from personally leading troops into battle. Remained at his side for the rest of her life.

Support for Rebel Army while in Sierra Maestra

Increased with time, people supplied the army with food and shelter, some even joined the rebels. People were attracted to the movement because: 1. Castro's forces didn't steal peasants' things, paid for the food they were given, had their doctors serve the peasants, taught peasants to read and write, helped them with household chores. Peasants received more from Castro's army than from Cuban govt. 2. Leaders explained what they were fighting for and what the society they hoped to achieve would be like. Included agrarian reform, most important element. End to ownership of large estates by small sector of society/companies—fairer distribution of land. 3. Used Radio Rebelde to spread message (1958-), which people relied upon more than govt media. Castro had good oratory skills—understandable. Told people what govt censorship was hiding about Batista. 4. News about progress in Sierra Maestra encouraged urban support for revolution. Workers in towns and cities joined revolution by printing leaflets, making homemade bombs to blow up govt installations/railways/public buildings, sabotaging telephone lines, electricity stations, gas services, assassinated those believed to be enemies of the revolution. 5. Had three advantages: battle on home grounds (guerilla warfare and defensive fighting was easier); rebel soldiers weren't paid, were fighting for something they believed in; leaders had outstanding ability (inspiring, humane, master strategists in guerilla warfare—treated captured soldiers with kindness and gave medical attention to the wounded)

Castro's Ideology: Civil Authority

Military and police power has caused Cuba to return to primitive political level. Batista and other leaders are reproducing all horrors of totalitarian regimes. In direct contradiction to the purest national tradition of Cuba. The civilian outlook shaped the formation of Cuba.

Split in 26th of July Movement

Leaders of the lowland M-26-7 cells, led by Frank País in Santiago, opposed Castro's dictatorial control of the organization. Felt that a nationalist general strike, not the mountain war, would ultimately overthrow Batista. Disturbed by Castro's lack of concrete political program. Therefore, there was a growing split in the movement.

Living conditions for Cuban workers

Low wages, limited housing, access to health and education were not available to all, funeral areas had water or electricity, widespread illiteracy, sugar workers were seasonal, land ownership and Sugarmill ownership were concentrated in the hands of upper class and foreign companies.

Economy at end of 1970s

New levels of recession. Badly hit by international economic situation, as USSR cut the price it paid for Cuban sugar. Unemployment, debt, and policies that limited consumption led to increased discontent. Contributed to the 1980 Mariel exodus, when 125,000 people abandoned Cuba for the US.

US Relations in 1970s

Nixon had tried to open up China, so Ford tried to open up relations with Cuba. Castro actually considered this because of the embargo, but the United States wouldn't trade with them unless Castro reduced his communist efforts. Therefore, Castro decided to prioritize the communist revolution. He helped Angola, saying that they are one with Angola. Goes from calling the United States a friendly neighbor to imperialist. This improved nationalism. Probably, though, would have been better for the average person to normalize the United States economy. Instead, chooses to support communist revolution. International prestige of revolution is boosted. Soviets Control the economy, so helping the economy wouldn't have made Castro look any better. And, so far, Cuba is the only communist country in the western hemisphere. The United States protects other countries from communism. Cuba helps Nicaragua go communist, which angers the United States. Castro directed the war in Nicaragua, which was his first victory in the western hemisphere. He sees himself as a spearhead of a great socialist revolution. Wants insurrection in the Caribbean.

Castro's Ideology: Social Order

Organic unity of the nation. No group, class, race, or religion should sacrifice the common good to benefit its particular interest or remain aloof from the problems of the entire social order or one of its parts. All people will be included in the advantages and responsibilities of progress through: 1. More just and dynamic conception of property, especially land, capital, and production. 2. Elevation of labor to category of cooperating agent in the direction and profit sharing of the enterprise. Therefore, reduce causes of class antagonisms, or eliminate them. Social unity rests on the supreme goal of the revolution: the moral and material welfare of man. Includes the right to dignified standard of life.

The PM affair and "Words to the intellectuals"

PM (1961): Short film documenting Afro-Cubans dancing and enjoying themselves. Showed decadent aspect of Cuba. Accused of being counterrevolutionary and was eventually censored. This censorship of an a political film angered many Cuban writers and artists who have been enthusiastic supporters of revolution. Afraid the Castro would direct culture by dictating themes and content of their work. In response Castro organized the first Congress of Cuban Writers and Artists, from which UNEAC emerged. At this Congress, Castro gave a speech. It was called words to the intellectuals. He defined the responsibilities of artists in times of revolution. Intellectuals know were no longer free to create what they wanted. They were at the service of the revolution and Had to work to strengthen its values. Art had a purpose. An artist had to be a revolutionary first; he couldn't paint or write about what he wanted. He had to do it in such a way that the masses would receive a clear message. Within the revolution, everything; against the revolution, nothing. Parents encouraged people to work in Zafra or coffee harvest. Novels described women who were role models at work and at home. Films highlighted the achievements of the revolution. Manuel Herrera's Girón represented the Bay of Pigs Incident, and Jorge Fraga's Me nice maestro (I became a Teacher). Arts were even more closely supervised in the revolutionary offensive.

Political situation in Cuba after independence but before 1952

There was a series of corrupt governments with limited success in solving economic problems and social inequality. By 1934, armed forces under general Fulgencio Batista controlled the nation by the appointment of puppet presidents. From 1944 to 19 for 52 there was a return to democracy, but the government was still corrupt and there was a lot of inflation and unemployment. On March 10, 1952, Batista overthrew the president and suspended the constitution to rule as a dictator.

To what extent did Batista contribute to the success of the Revolution?

Success of guerrilla war was due in part to excesses of the incumbent regime. Police and army imprisoned and tortured anyone suspected to be a rebel or to have helped the rebels. Led to death and imprisonment of many innocent men and women. Batista ordered peasants to evacuate areas of the countryside to decrease support for the rebels. Those who remained were to be treated like traitors. Entire plantations were set on fire to try to kill hiding guerrillas, causing peasants to lose their crops. Govt wanted to frighten citizens so they wouldn't help the rebels, but they actually just scared them away from a more moderate approach and towards the rebels. Batista launches a major attack against guerrillas in Sierra Maestra in July 1958 but campaign failed. Soldiers were scared of the guerrillas and often were isolated from relief. Desertion increased and some surrendered to rebels without firing a shot. Rebels then used the equipment they left behind. In the 1958 election, Batista's candidate was fixed to win, which disappointed the few who still hoped for a democratic solution to the conflict. The US didn't back the "elect" for the same reason. US imposed an arms embargo on CU in March 1958 because it disagreed with Batista's violence, which complicated govt access to weapons and ammunition's and demoralized the army. Batista still refused to negotiate, even when the US offered to form a caretaker govt for which it would give military and diplomatic support (to keep Castro out and calm fear of Communism).

Camilo Cienfuegos

Survivor of Granma expedition. Responsible for many guerrilla victories in Sierra Maestra. With success of Revolution, became head of armed forces. Died in airplane accident 1959.

Centrally planned economy/command economy

System in which the state directs and controls all major economic areas and decides upon the distribution of resources and production, following a national plan.

Economy in Cuba

The economy was going down in Cuba. Cuba was a monoculture economy dependent on sugar. The price would fluctuate, and they were boom and bust periods with the economy. For example, after World War I, sugar prices went way up and people tried to expand their businesses by buying things. Then there was a crash and big businesses bought up the little guys. In the bust periods, the smaller owners go under. Therefore, big corporations gobble up the small guys, including US firms. An example of a US firm was the United fruit company, which was the biggest. Castro and his family would've had to deal with this company by selling sugar to them to be mailed. Therefore, Castro saw up close how America dominated Cuba's economy. There was an unequal distribution of wealth: there was a rich ruling class, a small middle-class, and a large group of poor/poverty. These were the sugar workers who were seasonal, so there was unemployment every year. There was a lack of education and a large percentage of the population were illiterate (up to 50% in rural areas). There was a lack of healthcare facilities, especially for all people, limited housing (particularly expensive in the cities), and rural areas lacked roads and running water. Wealth was equivalent to land ownership, which was concentrated in the upper class. There was a lack of manufacturing so Cuba was dependent on trade with the USA.

Granma Expedition: Event

The expedition was poorly planned. When Castro landed there were supposed to be uprisings throughout Cuba, however, he's late, and by the time he gets there, the people who were uprising were sitting ducks. Batista's forces were waiting and they had a battle. They reported Castro is dead which made him seem legendary, invincible, when people see that he's actually alive. Then, he went into the Sierra Maestra with 18 others. He turned on the propaganda then because he needed to be seen as a leader despite not having many people there. This made people believe that his revolution was significant. Thus, the Granma expedition was a FAILURE.

Castro's Ideology: Public Morality

The republic was born carrying the colonial germs of political corruption. Lacked moral or philosophical strength to combat corruption. Crimes against public morality remain unpunished. They destroy the civic faith of the masses and undermine institutions. They need a thorough investigation and sanctions that will purify the responsibilities contracted by those in power with the threat of confiscation, among other things, to those guilty of illegally enriching themselves. Also need a joint plan of electoral and administrative reforms that will eliminate, or at least minimalize, the possibilities for crime.