1. Three Cuban Revolutionary Leaders:
Fulgencia Batista, Jose Marti, Fidel Castro and the Revolution
A Senior Capstone
By Mary C. Hodo

2. Totalitarian Regimes Attempt to create and establish a utopian society
Thought by some to be an extreme form of authoritarianism
“Radical” ideas about new ways of politics
Most frequent example- Communist regimes

3. Totalitarian Regimes
Totalitarian regimes are more brutal than authoritarians- more people die
Create a “mass terror”- genocides of entire people, anyone they consider to be a threat
Seek to gain total control- politically, socially and economically

4. Authoritarian Regimes
Are much more common today then totalitarian regimes
No utopian ideas or goals
Governed by a single ruler or an “elite” group

5. Authoritarian Regimes
Rulers tell the people that they must obey based on “moral or sacred” grounds, but
Do not hesitate to use direct brutal force when faced with any kind of rebellion of opposition, however
Common in Latin America- ruling committees- President (general), other generals.

6. Background and Lead-in Pt 1
Carlos Prio President before Fulgencia Batista
Batista- President from
Cuba’s Constitution –no consecutive terms
Batista took over from Prio in “Chief of State”, not President
Batista- Prio was planning revolt- he was allowed to leave the country by Batista

7. Background and Lead in Pt 2
Batista- ( ) could make or break a President, controlled Cuba, seemed to care for people
1952- formed own party, knew he couldn’t win, so seized the government
Cancelled the Presidential elections and suspended Congress
Banned strikes and protests

8. Batista
and seemed to care more for the people, advocated for things like education and social welfare and reform
Military man (General) of strong character, good political mind
During these years, people were free to voice their opinions

9. Batista
Good reputation with U.S.- Batista compliant with Good Neighbor policy
Accepted monetary aid from the U.S.
Were at least 166 American businesses

10. Batista
166 American businesses by the end, including hotels and casinos- strong U.S. ties
New Batista gov’t- much harsher this time
Now, when anything negative was said or a protest held, harsher consequences than ever

11. Batista
Now,- instead of arresting and jailing- sent them to into exile
“26th of July Movement”- Eastern Cuba
Result- Fidel and Raul Castro exiled to Central America for a few years
Military also killed people who opposed the regime- “freethinkers”
Conclusion: authoritarian (leaning towards totalitarian)

12. Jose Marti
Freethinker, considered to be the founder of Cuban Revolutionary thought
Born in Havana on Jan. 28, 1853
Was a legislator, poet, above all, a freethinker-
Poetry still significant today- Cuba’s first “truly” great poet and writer
Possibly most respected political mind in Cuba

13. Jose Marti
Much of Marti’s life was spent fighting for Cuban independence from Spain
No Cuban heritage, still, he wanted Cubans to unite, despite differences
He also fought for better conditions for workers- believed in the “poor man”
“Guantanamera” lyrics-

14. Jose Marti
Marti- strong policy on justice- co revolutionaries fair and honest
Theories on society and justice- interdependent
Told Cubans- not to be “complacent”, always want better
For Marti- freedom was the “essence of life” an “inescapable basis for all useful works”

15. Jose Marti Interpretation of freedom- 2 opinions
Had many ideas for post- independence, reshaping Cuba
Pride (national) and education were on his “plan” list
Believed that Cubans would all want it, once they saw it was possible

16. Jose Marti
Marti would not live to see Cuban independence- was killed in battle on May 19, 1895
Was said by Fidel Castro to be an “auteur intellectual” of the Revolution and its “political goals”
Ideas are still studied and used in studying social democracies

17. Fidel Castro 1959- Prime Minister from 1959-1976 President from 1976-
Major leader of Revolution
At first- seemed like he was going to help Cuba become a leader in Latin America
Belief in Communist doctrine- Cuba would become increasingly subject to “economic hardship and isolation”

18. Fidel Castro 1959- Led “26th of July” revolt, 1953
led revolt- “army” of rebels called the “26th of July Movement”
Major part of Revolution ended on Jan. 1, 1959, when Batista left Cuba
At first, the Cuban people thought they had won, that they were going to get change

19. Fidel Castro 1959-
Castro talked in 1963 about Cuba’s problems- blamed people, not his own policies
Believed in personalized interference in order to move the institutional system ahead
Castro grew more and more radical- focused more on developing Communism

20. Fidel Castro 1959-
Went from “moderate left” to more extreme radical as he gained power as PM
Put political opponents in prison
1960s- “embraced” Communism, began accepting aid from Soviets
Became hostile to U.S., who had helped Batista
1960- U.S. embargo on Cuba

21. Embargo on Cuba exports- medical supplies, soybeans, rice, and corn products
Castro- “Yankee imperialism”- retaliated, seized the 166 U.S. businesses
1961- Bay of Pigs- Invasion of Cuba by U.S. and Cuban exiles- unsuccessful
Cuban Missile Crisis

22. Fidel Castro 1959- 1991- Soviet Union collapsed, Castro isolated
Mid 1990s- thousands fleeing from regime
Jan Castro lets Pope visit- result, some political prisoners released

23. Fidel Castro 1959-
Cuban Americans- indicted for conspiracy and attempt to assassinate Castro
Cubans arrested for opposing a Communist government- 3 ½-5 years
1999- Elian Gonzalez- found in boat off coast of FL- mother and stepfather dies seeking refuge in U.S. with relatives

24. Fidel Castro 1959-
November Cuban dancers defected to U.S., gov’t told them it was illegal to come here and perform
Were granted asylum

25. Conclusion
Conclusion: Castro - authoritarian ruler, arrests political opponents, doesn't kill them
What now for Cuba? Should U.S. lift embargo, and allow direct travel there? Should they wait until Castro is out of office?