The Cuban Revolution

Background Cuba was a Spanish Colony One of the wealthiest in Latin America Economy based on Sugar exports to US and Europe Spanish controlled the nation politically, economically and socially Large underclass of Blacks (descendants of Slaves) and poor mestizos

Background Independence Movement against Spain developed Jose Marti was intellectual leader Arrested in 1868 revolt against Spain when he was 16 Killed by Spanish troops in 1895 National Liberation Army fought on—Afro-Cubans and Women played important roles

Spanish-American War United States becomes involved as conditions worsen—concentration camps established by Spanish leader in Cuba (Valeriano Wyler) US had long been interested in Cuba: 90 miles from Florida, Sugar grower, strategic location in the Caribbean US businesses in Cuba unhappy with growing violence

Spanish-American War After USS Maine blows up in Havana, US invades Goal is to “liberate” Cuban people from the Spanish In reality it was more complex—maintain control over the island, secure business opportunities for US companies Many Cubans not happy with US entry—feared US taking control of the island US defeats Spain—Cuban forces relegated to minor role

Spanish-American War US occupies Cuba 1899-1902 US helped to write new Cuban Constitution modeled on US version Platt Amendment was added—Gave US the right to intervene in Cuban Affairs, also Guantanamo Bay became US Naval base

Post War US sent troops several times from 1902- 1953 Huge US investment in Sugar ($200 Million by 1913 1/5th of all US investment in Latin America at the time

Post Independence Social structure was maintained Fear of Afro-Cubans by White Cubans-- reinforced by US military presence Upper classes were white, Criollos Lower classes were mestizos, Afro-Cubans Music reflected the cultural differences between the groups Danzon was favored by the upper classes-- traditional, based on French Contredanse

Post-Independence Lower classes developed the Son--a musical style thought of as vulgar by the elites Rumba was the dance Became the musical backbone of Cuba

Machado 1925-1933 Gerardo Machado wins elections in 1925 Starts off making reforms But his rule developed into a tyranny-- political assassinations, strikes put down violently

Attempted Revolution of 1933 200,000 sugar workers led an uprising in 1933 In the chaos, a group of military leaders took control Led by Fulgencio Batista He continued to rule behind the scenes in Cuba until 1952

Batista Took over in a coup in 1952 pro-US Anti labor Cuban Elites liked Batista Most Cubans did not Was a dictator Maintained social system, economic dependence on Sugar, strong ties to US This was the time that Havana was the “hot” spot for US tourists--night clubs, gambling

Castro Born in 1929 to well off family Studied law at University of Havana Cuban nationalist Joined aborted attempt to overthrow Dominican dictator 1947

1953 Attempted assault on barracks at Moncanda Nationalist, not Communist supporters Captured tortured Castro put on trial, gained fame

Castro’s manifesto Return power to the people Redistribute land Introduce worker profit-sharing and pensions Attack corruption Improve education Nationalize public utilities Introduce rent controls Solidarity with other Latin Americans Diversify the economy

Exile Mexico Met Argentine Ernesto ‘Che” Guevara Che was anti-US and anti-poverty (Socialism…) Organized troop of 82 to invade Cuba in 1956

Invasion Wrecked along a swampy coast ¾ killed by Batista’s men Hid in mountain forest Aided by sympathetic residents

Guerilla Warfare Used media to make people believe their numbers were much larger Sabotaged Batista’s soldiers and sugar plants

Revolution 1959 Castro’s forces take control of Cuba in 1959-- Batista loses support of middle class and flees Cuban Revolution begins

Long Term Causes 1 Sugar The Cuban economy was based primarily on Sugar—not diversified Economy rose and fell on Sugar Most of the Sugar plantations were in the hands of Foreign (US mostly) investors or wealthy upper class Cubans Seasonal unemployment high Created structural inequalities in the Cuban population Markets tied to the US

Long Term Causes 2: Anti-US resentment Since the Spanish-American War and Cuban Independence a great deal of resentment towards US control/effect on Cuban economy and politics

Long Term Causes 3: Poitical Instability From Independence on Cuba had no real stable political experience Some attempts at reform from time to time, but not much accomplished Power in the hands of the elites US essentially ran Cuba 3 different times from 1900s-1930s

Long Term Cause 4: soc/econ inequities Large economic gap between rich and poor Rich elites were white, small % of the pop. Rest of nation was mestizos, Afro-Cuban Land in the hands of elites or foreign interests Workers did try to unionize, but not particularly successful

US Reaction Castro signed trade agreement with USSR (end US economic stranglehold) Eisenhower boycotted Cuban sugar Castro nationalized US businesses All trade with US embargoed

Communist? Castro had not called himself a Communist anti-US views led him into alliance with Soviets Eisenhower cut off diplomatic relations in 1961, firmly putting Cuba in the “other” camp