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REVOLUTION Cuba’s Communist Revolution
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When do Revolutions Happen? In Latin America revolutions happen when… … a structurally weak regime… … meets a guerilla opposition force … … which garners popular support: Wickham-Crowley, 1992 Guerrillas and Revolution in Latin America Revolutionary Outcomes Political Enfranchisement Mode of Production and Property Class Relations Foreign Relations
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A structurally weak regime… Fulgencio Batista (1952–58) Personalized rule Batista power in 1952 in a military coup, then ran unopposed in a “democratic” election in 1954 Distance from civil society Batista’s rule was supported by a small political and military elite within Cuba and by strong US financial and military aid Cross-class opposition Resentment of US and mafia infiltration of Cuban society and economy Suspension of the 1940 constitution Violent repression of dissent by military police Divided military support
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… meets a guerilla opposition force … Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro, Che Guevara, Camilo Cienfuegos; Frank País Local revolutionary leaders were crucial Mobilizing ideals Social justice Nationalism Democracy
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(guerilla opposition cont.) #1: The Landing 2 Dec 1956 #2: Escape to the Sierra Maestra: 1956 – 1958 #3: The Offensive: Aug – Dec 1958 #4: Victory in Havana: 2 Jan 1959 #1 #4 #3 #2
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… which garners popular support. Popular dislike of the Batista regime Labor union strikes and land invasions in 1958 and 1959 reflected both revolutionary activity and economic and social dissatisfaction Peasant support Invoked Jose Martí: violent opposition to social injustice
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Revolutionary Outcomes. Political Enfranchisement Universal suffrage, age 16 Political Parties: Cuban Communist Party or PCC Legislature: National Assembly of People's Power - members elected to five-year terms directly from slates approved by special candidacy commissions Executive: President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers - elected by the National Assembly for five year term; last election 24/2/2008, Raul Castro Ruz unanimously elected Judicial: People's Supreme Court - president, vice president, and other judges are elected by the National Assembly; a mix of communist legal theory, Spanish civil law, and American influence
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Castro’s Cuba Mode of Production and Property Development of a triple economy State-owned enterprise Export enclave Informal market sector Land reform The amount of land held in independent farms of 67 or more hectares dropped from 71% in 1950 to 5.1% in 1970 By 1981 only 9% of arable land was privately held
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Castro’s Cuba Class Relations Capitalist class and bourgeoisie were largely wiped out Land reform rewards the rural social base Social justice programs serve to equalize economic disparities Infant mortality rate 1949: 39 deaths/1,000 (est.) 2008: 5.93 deaths/1,000 (est.) Life expectancy 1955: 59 years (est.) 2008: 77.27 years (est.) Literacy: 1958: 78% (est.) 2002: 99.8%
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Castro’s Cuba Foreign Relations International activism is an inherent aspect of Marxist revolution From US client to Soviet client state The demise of the USSR led to an economic downturn in the 1990s and to economic liberalization Castro believes that the long term interests of the US and Cuba are basically incompatible
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Castro’s Cuba Institutionalization of Changes “The destiny of peoples cannot depend upon one man. Behind me come others more radical than I; assassinating me would only fortify the revolution.” The transition to Raul Castro
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Questions What are the major factors shaping revolutionary outcomes? Is revolution a good thing?
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