CONSEQUENCES OF THE MONCADA ASSAULT This event marked the birth of the 26th of July movement, named after the day of the attack. Castro became the only political leader who not only complained, but was ready to do something. Even though the rebels were the aggressors, due to Batista’s repression, torture and persecution affected his image and allowed Castro and his men to became martyrs. In 1954, trying to legitimize his rule, Batista held elections and ran as a presidential candidate. Castro was in prison, the PSP banned and with no effective opposition, Batista used the elections to claim he had been rightfully chosen by the people.

Trying to appear democratic, Batista allowed political parties to regroup and released political prisoners, including the people involved in the Moncada raid. Castro was now a free man and went into exile in Mexico to prepare the revolution. Despite Batista’s effort to appear democratic, demonstrations in Cuba grew and led to armed clashes. Different revolutionary organizations spread through the countryside, promoting rural insurgence, sabotaging property and organizing guerrilla groups. Sugar production dropped as a consequence of the sabotage against sugar mills, oil refineries and railroads. Political parties demanded elections but Batista refused to hold them. 26th of July Movement believed a change in Cuba would come after the use of force to overthrow Batista.

THE GRANMA EXPEDITION (1956) On December 2nd Castro returned to Cuba and launched the next stage of the struggle. Fidel and Raul Castro returned aboard the overcrowded and poorly equipped yacht Granma. They landed on the southern coast of Oriente with 80 rebels recruited in Mexico.

The Granma was heavily laden with men, weapons and supplies of oil to enable it to reach the shore. The radio failed and the engines were poor, so the yacht reached the island two days behind in schedule. Frank Pais (see i.f. page 61) had organized a strike in support of the landing, but coordination was affected by the delay of the Granma. Castro also failed to make contact with those who had prepared land support for the operation.

Spotted by government forces, the crew landed in a swamp and was forced to leave supplies and ammunition behind. They were ambushed at Alegria del Pino and the survivors (12 out of 82) dispersed and hid in the Sierra Maestra to regroup and emerge as the Rebel Army. http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/granma.htm The rebellions continued during 1957 and 1958, there was even an attempt to seize the presidential palace and murder Batista. He struggled to control the situation, but his response was so violent that it embittered the people against him.

THE CAST OF CHARACTERS Castro was not alone, even though he was the leading figure many men and women contributed to the cause. Some of them played an important role in the struggle; others continued working in the revolutionary government. Some of them were Raul Castro, Vilma Espin, Camilo Cienfuegos, Ernesto “Che” Guevara, Haydee Santamaria, Celia Sanchez. (see pages 61 and 62) http://www.martinoticias.com/content/camilo-cienfuegos-cuba-fidel-castro-/16067.html

SIERRA MAESTRA CAMPAIGN (1956 – 1959) The support increased with time from supplying the Rebel Army with food and shelter to joining the cause. (source c page 63) Several reasons made people felt attracted to the movement. Firstly, Castro’s forces did not steal from the peasants and always paid for what they were given. They respected women, their medical doctors were put at the peasants’ service. Peasants were also taught to read and write. Any soldier breaking this code was sentenced to death. Secondly, they explained the people what they were fighting for and the kind of society they wanted to achieve. They promised the “Agrarian Reform” which aimed to end the ownership of large lands by a small sector and distribute the land fairly.

Radio Rebelde started to broadcast the message and news about new events from “The territory of Free Cuba in the Sierra” in 1958. People relied more on Radio Rebelde than on the government media. Castro talked to the people using a speech that everybody could understand as well as he made sure they found out what the government censorship was hiding.

News about the progress encouraged urban workers to join the revolution. They printed leaflets in support of the rebels and condemning Batista. Homemade bombs were planted to destroy government installations, railways and public buildings, electricity stations, gas services. Those who were believed to be enemies of the revolution were assassinated. The movement also needed to make alliances. Castro made contact with other leaders from different political parties. Under the Pact of Caracas the vast majority recognized Castro as the leader of the opposition. The Pact of Caracas (July, 20th 1958) included all the main political parties, organizations, even the communist PSP. http://cuba1952-1959.blogspot.com/2009/12/1958-pact-of-caracas.html http://www.autentico.org/oa09042.php

(Batista's soldiers executing a rebel by firing squad in 1956) TO WHAT EXTENT DID BATISTA CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE REVOLUTION? The police and the army imprisoned and tortured anyone they suspected of being a rebel or having helped the rebels. This caused the death of many innocent men and women. (Batista's soldiers executing a rebel by firing squad in 1956)

Batista ordered peasants to evacuate whole areas of the countryside in order to reduce help for the rebels, those who remained behind were seen as traitors. As the rebels could not be seen in the jungle, entire plantations were set on fire, causing the peasants to lose their crops. People were drawn to the rebels in hatred of the government. Batista pushed them away from him, even the most moderate opposition. Soldiers, fearful of the guerrilla forces deserted in massive numbers or surrendered to the rebels without firing. The weapons left behind were used by the resistance. In 1958, elections were held and Andres Rivero, who was the official candidate, was fixed to win. This disappointed the ones who still waited for a democratic solution.

For that reason, Rivero did not obtains US backing and for Batista’s violent actions an arms embargo was imposed. US officials feared Castro might turn to communism, for that reason they proposed Batista to capitulate to a caretaker government and they would also provided military and diplomatic support, but Batista refused to negotiate.

THE TRIUMPH OF THE REVOLUTION After the success in Sierra Maestra, Castro believed the time had come for spreading the war to other provinces. He trusted Cienfuegos, Guevara and his brother to lead the campaigns. They were joined by more volunteers. By Christmas 1958, the city of Santa Clara (capital of Las Villas) had been taken. The battle of Santa Clara: armored train incident. http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/historyofthecaribbean/a/08battlestaclar_2.htm http://www.trenblindado.com/Story.html The Castros marched towards Santiago de Cuba, while in Havana the sabotages and attacks continued against army installations. Politically isolated and incapable of controlling the situation, Batista fled to Dominican Republic, he eventually found political asylum in Portugal, where he lived until dying in Spain.

Politically isolated and incapable of controlling the situation, Batista fled to Dominican Republic, he eventually found political asylum in Portugal, where he lived until dying in Spain. According to the sociologist Max Weber, a leader is set apart from the rest due to his exceptional qualities or exemplary actions, which inspire loyalty. Eric Elbin states that the charismatic leaders promote and make the revolutionary process possible by their ability to represent people’s needs and aspirations.