The Cuban Revolution

1. The Cuban Revolution

2. “”He who has money smokes cigars But who has no money smokes paper." A good Cuban cigar closes the door to the vulgarities of the world.".

3. El period colonial • In the 1600’s, Spain colonized Cuba, establishing their dominance in the Caribbean

4. 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

5. In 1868,Cubans began their series of revolutions against Spain • With the help of the United States, Cuba became powerful enough to defend their independence. • By the early 1900’s US still had strong influence in Cuba • The Cubans became autonomous and had their fair share of corrupt presidents and dictators.

6. 1823 Monroe Doctrine • President James Monroe announced in 1823 that the United States would consider any attempt by European powers to extend their "system" to this hemisphere "as dangerous to our peace and safety." • The President's unilateral statement gained increasing acceptance as the United States grew stronger, and in the last century has served as a basic precept in this country's hemispheric policies.

7. Hands-Off, Old World • Monroe's policy came to be considered a permanent "doctrine" at the turn of the century. • Secretary of State Richard Olney referred to it in 1895 when he declared that the United States was "practically sovereign on this continent."

8. Americans in Cuba /1895 • In that same year, a rebel Cuban junta, directed by Thomas Estrada Palma, an exile in New York, received United States sympathy in its efforts to incite a revolt against the Spanish in Cuba. • In 1898, the doctrine was invoked as one of the justifications for the Spanish-American war and United States occupation of Cuba, following the blowing up of the battleship Maine in Havana Harbour. • The occupation lasted until 1902, when the Republic of Cuba was formed.

9. Americans in Cuba • In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt added what was known as the "Roosevelt Corollary" to the Monroe Doctrine. • He proclaimed that the United States would act as a "police power" to force Latin-American republics to honour their obligations to foreign-principally United States-investors. • In the years that followed, United States Marines intervened in Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Cuba and Haiti.

10. Americans in Cuba • In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt repudiated the practice of intervention and instituted a "Good Neighbor" policy of mutual cooperation.

11. A Very Brief Summary of Cuba • Cuba was originally ruled by Spain until a treaty in 1902 due to a war and United States intervention in the Spanish-American War. The same year, Cuba became an independent state on paper. However, US occupation continued and applied the highly unpopular Platt Amendment. • However, Cuba has a history of rebellions, coups, corrupt elections, and overthrows. Between 1902-1959 (57 years), Cuba experienced 4 changes in leader through the methods mentioned. • Cuba is largely an agricultural economy. It’s top two exports are sugar and nickel. It has a population of about 11,000,000 people.

12. Bienvenidos a CUBA

13. Cuba is an island nation located 90 miles south of Florida

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Post Independence • Social structure was maintained • Afro-Cubans were fearful of White Cubans—it was 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( the official musical genre and dance of Cuba) was favored by the upper classes--traditional, based on French Contredans

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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 • Playground for rich playboys

24. More on Batista • He was called El Hombre, "the Man," and for three decades he was one of Cuba's most controversial leaders. • It would take Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolution to unseat him.

25. Humble Origins • Fulgencio Batista Zaldívar was born in Cuba's Oriente province on January 16, 1901, in Banes, only miles away from the Castro family plantation, Las Manacas. • A mulatto of humble origins, he joined the army as a private, and in 1932 he became a military tribunal stenographer with the rank of sergeant.

26. Strong Man • The villain of pre-Castro Cuba, Batista began his political career as a hero. • As a young sergeant in 1933, he led non-commissioned officers in a rebellion against dictator Gerardo Machado in alliance with students and labor leaders. • Later, he conspired with the U.S. ambassador, Sumner Welles, to force the resignation of provisional president Ramón Grau San Martín. • By then a colonel, Batista became the strongman behind a succession of puppet presidents until he was elected president himself in 1940.

27. Coalition Builder • Under Batista's rule a new constitution was drafted which was, by all standards, a progressive document. • It called for government intervention in the economy and provided a social safety net. • In the late 1930s Batista legalized the Cuban Communist Party (P.S.P.). • In 1940, taking advantage of the P.S.P.'s ability to keep labour in check, he brought the party into his government.

28. Retiree • In 1944 Batista, respecting the electorate's choice of the opposition coalition, stepped aside and the same man he had deposed in 1933, Ramón Grau, became president. Batista left Cuba to live in Daytona Beach, Florida

29. Power Grabber • For the next eight years, Cuba's Partido Auténtico presided over corruption and irresponsibility in government. • Corruption had been widespread since 1902, but the public was shocked that the "pure" revolutionaries of 1933 -- Grau, then Carlos Prio -- participated in it. • But democracy survived. • As new elections approached in 1952, Batista saw an opportunity to return to government, running for the presidency, alongside the Auténticos and the Ortodoxos, the party to which Fidel Castro belonged. • As election day approached, Batista was a distant third. Then, on March 10, 1952, he seized the government in a coup d'etat -- taking by force what Cuban voters were about to deny him

30. Status Seeker • Batista's return to power did not herald a return to progressivism. He became obsessed with gaining the acceptance of Cuba's upper classes, who had denied him membership into their exclusive social clubs. • Increasingly, his energies were devoted to amassing an even greater fortune. • Batista opened Havana to large scale gambling, announcing that his government would match, dollar for dollar, any hotel investment over $1 million, which would include a casino license. • American mobster Meyer Lansky placed himself at the center of Cuba's gambling operation. • At the same time, Batista sponsored massive construction projects -- the Havana-Varadero highway, the Rancho Boyeros airport, train lines, an underwater tunnel.

31. Brutal and Unpopular • As he delayed plans to step down from office, Batista faced growing opposition, and eventually, a popular challenge. • In the wake of Fidel Castro's Moncada assault, in 1953, Batista suspended constitutional guarantees and increasingly relied on police tactics in an attempt to frighten the population through open displays of brutality. • Though he made some political concessions between 1954 and 1956 -- lifting press censorship, releasing political prisoners (including Fidel Castro and his brother Raul), allowing exiles to return -- his unpopularity continued to grow.

32. Instability • As popular unrest in Cuba intensified, Batista's police proved adept at torturing and killing young men in the cities. • But his army proved singularly inept against Fidel Castro's rebels, who were based in the mountains.

33. Guerrilas • Batista had Castro after Moncada, and let him get away with his life. • He had him prisoner at Isle of Pines and released him in a general amnesty. • He could have destroyed him after the disaster of the rebels' Granma landing, and let him get away. "

34. Inept • Batista committed a huge strategic blunder," when the rebels returned, in the judgment of writer Norberto Fuentes. • "You push landings back to sea. But Batista pushes Fidel Castro into the Sierra Maestra with the words 'in the Sierras no one survives.'" • A more indicting observation is that of author Carlos Alberto Montaner: "Batista does not finish Fidel out of greed... His is a government of thieves. To have this small guerrilla band in the mountains is to his advantage, so that he can order special defense expenditures that they can steal." • By spring 1958 when Batista sent 10,000 soldiers against the rebel army, Castro was too deeply entrenched and Batista's army too rotten from within for the offensive to succeed.

35. Loss of US support • Faced with Batista's military ineptness and growing unpopularity, the United States began to seek an alternative to Batista and to Fidel Castro. • But Batista was determined to hold on. On December 11, 1958, U.S. ambassador Earl Smith visited Batista at his lavish hacienda, Kuquines. • There ,he informed Batista the United States could no longer support his regime. • Batista asked if he could go to Daytona Beach, where he had a house. The ambassador said no, and suggested instead that he seek exile in Spain.

36. Flight • On New Year's Eve 1958, Fulgencio Batista left Cuba before the break of dawn, with one hundred and eighty of his closest associates, having amassed a fortune of as much as to $300 million. • Batista lived the rest of his life in splendour in Spain and in Portugal. He died on August 6, 1973 in Marbella, Spain, two days before a team of assassins from Castro's Cuba could carry out a plan to kill him.

37. Fidel Castro

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

39. 1948 ,Pan American Conference, Bogota,Colombia The aim of the conference was to develop the old Pan-American Union of American States. Participated at the protest at the conference to embarrass US . Fees for his traveling were covered by Juan Peron

40. Bogotazo • A massive popular uprising in Bogota over the assassination of a populist politician, Jorge Elicier Gaitan. • 3000 killed • US blamed Communists • The Bogotazo convinced Castro of the masses in revolt.

41. 1950 • Graduated and began to practise law. • Not interested in his legal career, had few clients, little income. • His father distantly supported him • His marriage is a fiasco • Politics remained his passion

42. Hugh Thomas, historian • “Castro was now politician without a platform as well as a lawyer without clients” • Risk taker, involvement into violence, power hunger, no principles • Castro would throw himself into ANY group that could help his political career • Patriotic ardour

43. Historical Background:The Cuban Revolution • When Fidel Castro was running for election, Fulgencio Batista succeeds in staging a coup and became the dictator of Cuba. March 10, 1952 • In response to the coup, Castro joined a group to overthrow Batista. • Cuban Rebels attacked the Moncada Barracks in Santiago, Cuba and also the barracks in Bayamo, Cuba in July 26 of 1953. • Castro had 150 followers ( outnumbered 10 to 1 by soldiers from Batista) • 60 rebels died: 5 died fighting, Batista killed 56. • Fidel and his brother, Raul, were jailed in the Isla de Pinos prison. Fidel for 15 years and Raul for 13 years. • In 1955, Batista freed all political prisoners in Cuba because of political pressure.

44. 1953 Unsuccessful Revolt • Also called July 26 th movement • Nationalist, not Communist supporters • Communists described Castro’s attack as an ill organized putsch • Captured tortured( eys gouged out, genitals ripped off) • Castro put on trial, gained fame

45. Why was Castro Successful? • As a lawyer, he had a lot of charisma. He used it to his advantage to convince people to his side. One of his well known speeches was made as a self-defense in court after the Moncada attack where he said, “But I do not fear prison, as I do not fear the fury of the miserable tyrant who took the lives of 70 of my comrades. Condemn me. It does not matter. History will absolve me.” • Even if people did not agree with his ideology, ex. the peasants, who largely made up his support, were swayed by the idea of improving their lives and of gaining land for themselves. • However, as Castro based nationalist and populist issues known, the middle class started to side with Castro as well.he

46. 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

47. Batista’s Amnesty and Mexican Exile • Due to family connections and Batista’s overconfidence, Castro was released from prison • Castro’s life was in danger and there were rumors about his death ( car riddled with bullets was found after he “ was fighting with police) • Mexico • Met Argentine Ernesto ‘Che” Guevara ( buddy ) Marxist • Che was anti-US and anti-poverty (Socialism…) • Organized troop of 82 to invade Cuba in 1956

48. 26 th of July Movement • Prompted uprisings, protests, strikes • Batista revived torture and cruelty • Castro ,Che military trained guerrilla soldiers • Did not get along with CCP

49. The reason why Fidel Castro went to Mexico was to prepare a revolution against Batista. • There he met and joined forces with Che Guevara • Trained by Alberto Bayo- a leader in the Spanish Civil War. • Undertook a fundraising tour of US( 9000 dollars) • Resourceful ( exploited nationalist traditions with great effectiveness ,presenting himself as Marti’s heir)

50. The Cuban Revolution •  The Granma (yatch) arrived in Cuba and the rebels made their way to Sierra Maestro, where they were attacked by Batista’s army. • Landed exactly where Marti landed 60 years ago. • Not a landing but a shipwreck. • The rebels ploughed their way through the thick undergrowth of a swamp crawling with millions of tiny crabs ,then moved across sugar cane fields towards the 90 mile long and 30 mile wide Sierra Maestro. •  In the mountains, Raul and Che helped Fidel gain control by killing Batista supporters and Castro rivals. • In January 1 1959, Batista left the country and Castro took leadership control.