Castro's Rise

Question 1

Who was Cuba relying on?

Answer 1

In the 19th century, all the country’s economy was based on slave produced goods and trade with the USA, as US corporations owned many Cuban plantations.

Question 2

West vs East Cuba

Answer 2

European immigration only occurred in the West while the east was more lawless, politically neglected and economically underdeveloped. Cuba’s currents also meant that most of the harbours for trading occurred in the West. Escaped slaves also found refuge in the east, with an ethnic division by the late 19th century (black Cubans east, Spanish descent west).

Question 3

Leading up to the Spanish-Cuba war

Answer 3

In 1886, the Spanish government fully abolished slavery in Cuba in an effort to starve off calls for independence. But former slaves and descendents still lived in crippling poverty and political impotence in the east.

Question 4

Cause of the Spanish-Cuba war

Answer 4

José Martí began a war against Spain by stirring up a revolt in the Oriente province in 1895

Question 5

Cuban Independence from Spain

Answer 5

1868-1898; the Cuban Independence movement fought three wars to get Spain out. The Third war by José Martí (1853-1895) was the last. His martyrdom inspired the people to completely get rid of the Spanish. By April 1898, Cuban nationalists gained the upper hand as the USA joined their side, where the Spanish would finally give up Cuba in December 1898. However, the US stayed and occupied Cuba with their troops…

Question 6

What drove the US to intervening in the Spanish-Cuba war?

Answer 6

1. The increasing intensity of the Cuban Revolts against the Spanish Rule.
2. the pressure from American corporations and business with investments in Cuba
3. the increase efforts of Cuban nationalists like José Martí
4. political desire for an empire

Question 7

US businesses concern in Cuba

Answer 7

By 1895; US corporations had invested a lot of money into Cuba and worried what would happen if the Cuban nationalists won. They exerted pressure to protect their interests. Both Cuba and the US used anti-Spanish propaganda to sway public opinion to US military intervention.

Question 8

The USS Maine

Answer 8

February 1898; an American warship blew up during a visit to Cuba. Blaming the Spanish, the US declared war in April 1898.

Question 9

American intervention in Cuban independence

Answer 9

1902; the USA formally gave Cuba its independence, but the 1901 Platt Amendment made it so the US had the right to intervene militarily whenever they wanted. Including the US occupations of 1898-1902 and 1906-1909 and the sugar intervention of 1917-1922. Elections were rigged for pro-US policies. The US dominated the Cuban economy, with a wealthy minority to a poor majority.

Question 10

Corruption in the Cuban government

Answer 10

Politicians who did not support the US were either not elected or removed quickly in power. The ones who did survive were corrupt. All of this, set the stage for the Anti-American movements in Cuba.

Question 11

The Cuban Revolution

Answer 11

1933-1934; the brutal dictatorship of Gerardo Machado of the 1920s was overthrown in 1933. Student protests had been met with Machado’s police brutality but the Great Depression on the Cuban economy ensured wide spread support for the students, with strikes and protests by workers. After the Sergeant’s Revolt, the US told Machado to resign.

Question 12

Sergeant’s Revolt

Answer 12

Sep 1933; when a group of army NCOs supported the students and arrested their own officers. They were led by Fulgencio Batista.

Question 13

After Machado’s reign

Answer 13

After his reign, a provisional government was headed by Dr. Ramón Grau San Martín. A new Cuba was promised, with a democratic government, an end to social inequalities, higher wages, lower prices and voting rights fro woman. With further denunciation of the Platt Amendment. The US, worried about their businesses, threatened military action.

Question 14

Downfall of Grau’s first office

Answer 14

After many disagreements, where Grau found it difficult to achieve commonality on how to run Cuba with the US in mind, it was determined that the more left wing parties could not go through as they conflicted the US. Batista, supported a right-wing Colonel Carlos, which the US recognised as the new provisional government and the reform promises died.

Question 15

Batista’s shadow power

Answer 15

renewed student protests after Dr. Grau along with strikes were met with police and army brutality. Martical law was imposed and the governments (puppet presidents (1934-1940) found real power lied with Batista and the armed forces. In an effort to reduce the violence, the government bribed armed gangs that controlled the University of Havana with positions of power, but this led to more corruption. This showed the weakness of the puppets, which Batista used to his advantage for his electoral success in 1940.

Question 16

Batista’s presidency

Answer 16

1940-1944; Batista got a wide range of support in Cuban society, from his humble origins, his non-whiteness (not seen before) he was able to draw upon the majority. His control of the military allowed him to pave the way for non-white soldiers for promotions and proper conditions, which gave him their support. Batista also bribed journalists, clergymen and union leaders to spread the good word. He was also pro-American with his pro-capitalism ideology, but still placated communist supporters with labour laws and social reforms to address economic imbalance. They even denounced his opponents as fascists while he still kept the economically powerful people happy.

Question 17

WW2 for Batista

Answer 17

It was a blessing for Batista as demands for Cuba’s exports skyrocketed, increasing the economy. Although most profits went to foreign corporations, the average Cuban still improved their lives. It did die end after the war, but Batista was no longer in power then.

Question 18

Auténtico presidencies

Answer 18

1944-1948; Corruption, violence, intimidation and bribery continued under Grau. He rewarded his supporters from violent political gangs with appointments where they provided Autenticos with a private army. Violence and bribery were used against Grau’s opponents or even murder. Grau abandoned socio-economic reforms in favour of ensuring the support of wealthy businesses. His successor, Carlos Prio Socarras continued similarly. The 1952 elections were in a fight between the orthodoxos and autenticos, with Batista 3rd.

Question 19

Batista IS OUT

Answer 19

Batista steped down as he should have constitutionally. When his chosen successor appeared to lose to Dr. Grau, he fled to the US with a large portion of the Cuban treasury, in order to leave the new Cuban government as financially handicapped as possible before it begun. He continued to be in politics, being elected in the Cuban Senate in 1948 and being a presidential candidate in the 1952 election.

Question 20

Partido Ortodoxo

Answer 20

1947; by Eddy Chibás. Alternative to communist who had their image tainted by supporting Batista, attractive to Castro.

Question 21

Batista’s coup

Answer 21

March 1952; the US Mafia sought to protect their investments by offering President Carlos Prío Socarrás a bribe of $250,000 to stand down in favour of Batista. August 1951; Eddy Chibás announced his suspicions of a coup by Batista on his weekly radio show and shot himself. 10 March 1952, Batista used the army to stage a coup.

Question 22

Why Batista’s coup is met with little resistance

Answer 22

1. Batista claimed that Prio had been plotting a coup
2. Batista promised to hold fair and free elections in 1954
3. The Cuban public was weary of corruption of the Autenticos
4. Batista had support from the military, police and secret police

Question 22

Why Batista’s coup is met with little resistance

Answer 22

1. Batista claimed that Prio had been plotting a coup
2. Batista promised to hold fair and free elections in 1954
3. The Cuban public was weary of corruption of the Autenticos
4. Batista had support from the military, police and secret police
5. The US supported him due to his pro-business rhetoric

Question 23

Why was Fidel Castro so popular?

Answer 23

He was a populist leader with an ability to inspire people (especially young students) through dramatic oratorical skills and a ‘simple’ message of heroism and action. He was drawn to the Ortodoxo because of their social reforms and justice.

Question 24

Castro’s social conscious and beliefs

Answer 24

After denouncing the corruption of the government and their link to armed gangs in 1949, he fled to the US for several months for his safety. Once he returned to Cuba in 1950, he completed his law studies. Despite his wife’s family connections to other firms, he set up a legal practice in the impoverished area of Old Havana. From 1950-1952, his family barely made enough money for rent as they defended clients who could not pay a lot for them.

Question 25

The start of Castro’s rise

Answer 25

He was involved in the Ortodoxo campaign for the 1952 elections and was nominated as congressional candidate by two poor districts. He would have used the position to push a strong revolution in Cuba.

Question 26

Us and Latin dictatorship

Answer 26

By 1954; the US government was using the CIA to install US-friendly dictatorships throughout South America. To avoid ideas of being “Too socialist” (which would lead to intervention), Batista reversed long-waited reforms to working conditions. He used the corrupt judiciary and politicians to maintain his grip on power while brutally crushing any opponents. Batista, by using more force, was seeming to the Cuban public as just another imperialist oppressor.

Question 27

Fidel Castro’s recognition in the Ortodoxos

Answer 27

While the Orotodoxo leadership wanted passive resistance and civil disobedience, student and youth movements wanted direct action and rallied around Fidel Castro (where he would elude to the glorious, violent struggle for freedom). Castro launched a legal challenge to Batista’s undemocratic power. But he was foiled by the corrupted court system. Realising he was now “an enemy of the state”, he went into hiding and began planning the armed revolution to free Cuba.

Question 28

Moncada Barracks Attack: Plan???

Answer 28

26 July 1953; Fidel Castro and his brother Raúl planned an uprising against Batista’s regime. With 160 young rebels, Castro attached the Moncada Barracks near Santiago of Oriente. The plan, where they would quickly capture the barracks and issue a rousing call to rally the people for a spontaneous uprising, where they would then use captured millitary equipment and supplied to equip the masses (with bloodshed to be avoided and to spread the revolution) , failed.

Question 29

Moncada Barracks Attack: What

Answer 29

19 soldiers and policemen died with 27 wounded, with 6 attackers killed and 15 others wounded in the fight. The garrisons commanding officer told his soldiers to capture the remain gin attackers, torture and kill them. According to Castro, 56 faced this end. Castro survived due to a lieutenant, Pedro Sarría, who ignored instructions and prevented his men from killing or torturing any more prisoners. The lieutenant took Castro to the town prison instead of the barracks, saving his life.

Question 30

Castro’s trial

Answer 30

With evidence that the soldiers were killed after their attack, there was a scandal for Batista. Leading to Batista taking the Castro Bros to trial. Castro openly admitted to his role in the attack and justified it by pointing out the illegal nature of Batista’s regime in the trial. This gave him a national platform to deliver his manifesto, with the famous “history will absolve me”

Question 31

Moncada Programme

Answer 31

During the trial, Castro outlined his vision for Cuba in what is now the Moncada Programme. His desire for a more open, fair society that ends the corruption stuck with the working class. His eloquence and courage in the trial won more supporters and embarrassed Batista. Many of his co-defendents were left off with easier sentences, Castro and his bro were given 15 and 13 respectively. Removing their threat to the regime.

Question 32

Castro outta the slammer

Answer 32

In the run-up elections promised for 1954, Batista relaxed censorship laws in Cuba and allowed rival parties to campaign. So, Castro’s supporters also campaigned for his freedom. With internal and international pressure to appear lenient, Batista granted all political prisoners amnesty in May 1955.

Question 33

Batista aint looking too good

Answer 33

As the only candidate, Batista “won” the 1954 elections. His secret police force as kept busy dealing with the increasing numbers of opposition groups. Castro’s 26 of July Movement seemed minor in comparison, dismissing Castro. However, by 1955, Batista’s regime was becoming more unpopular and his responses to the increasing protests were to be more repressive. A cycle of violence ensued, with even more protests and bombing and more government repression.

Question 34

Castro’s exile

Answer 34

Following his release from prison in May 1955, Fidel Castro attempted to re-enter the political arena but within 6 weeks, he and his brother fled to Mexico. Their growing popularity and unwillingness to repent for revolutionary actions made them likely targets for re-arrest or assassination. Pushing Castro’s beliefs that Cuba can not change parliamentary, but through revolution.

Question 35

M-26-7

Answer 35

1955; In Mexico, Castro organised the M-26-7 group in preparation for Cuba. The members of the group formed secret underground cells to help support Castro’s return. Frank Paìs established one such group in Santiago. These groups were stockpiling weapons and ammunition as well as printing anti-regime newsletters/posters and spreading promises of the Moncada programme

Question 36

Castro’s Allies in Mexico

Answer 36

Camilo Cienfuegos - a young Cuban nationalist
Ernesto “Che” Guevara - idealistic young Argentinian doctor
Both were committed with Castro to remove American corporate imperialism in Latin America.

Question 37

Cuba and his hush hush relationship with Communism

Answer 37

Castro was not as committed to communism than Guevara. In 1956; Castro refuted Batista’s claims he was communist through an article where he denounced Batista’s links to the communist party, particularly that his election victory in 1940 was due to support from the communists. Castro was wary of aligning himself too closely due to the level of control the USSR exercised over Cuba. The PSP were calling on non-violent opposition to Batista which Castro did not want. Their collaboration in the 1950s also made them unpopular.

Question 38

M-26-7 movement breakthrough

Answer 38

By early 1956, Castro had enough support and his M-26-7 movement could finally break away from the Ortodoxos. The M-26-7 members began to increase their efforts to pave for Castro’s return. In Oriente, recruitment increased as with essential medical supplies and military equipment. In Mexico, Castro had secretly recruited, armed and trained a fighting force of 82 volunteers to sail with him to Cuba. With funds from Anti-Batista sources, Castro purchased the Granma and returned to Cuba before the end of 1956.

Question 39

Granma Expedition

Answer 39

Nov 1956; the Granma took Castro and his 82 colunteers from Tuxpan, Mexico to Manzanillo, Oriente. The landing was chosen as it was 288 kilometres west of where José Martí had landed his expedition in 1895.

Question 40

PSP trying to influence Castro

Answer 40

The PSP failed to dissuade Castro from launching the expedition, arguing for non-violent opposition. When it did not work they tried to get him to wait until after the can harvest in January to coincide with planned strike activity, País even informed Castro that the Oriente M-26-7 cells were not ready. Castro, however, was adamant that it would go as planned as he feared the longer it took, the more likely they would be caught. He also promised to come to Cuba before 1957, and he felt he needed to uphold the promise to the public.

Question 41

Problems with Granma

Answer 41

Due to their lack of funds and need for secret, the rebels were ill equipped and the Granma was leaky. The 1988-kilometre crossing was hazardous and uncomfortable due to bad weather and conditions in the overcrowded boat. A storm foundered as the Granma left, losing time and fuel as they rescued a man overboard. Due to mechanical problems and their fuel reserves, they were forced to jettison precious supplies. The crossing took 2 days longer than planned

Question 42

Uprising in Santigao failure

Answer 42

The plan required a uprising in Santiago and simultaneous attack on the Moncada Barracks once the Granma expedition landed. However, the delayed journey and poor communications meant that the attacks was launched two days too early. Frank País rebel engaged in the army and police, but without Castro, they could not win. After 30 hours of sporadic fighting, they withdrew.

Question 43

One indication of how much support Castro got

Answer 43

During the second attack on the Moncada Barracks, at least 67 soldiers refused to fight the rebels. Some policemen in Santiago joined the rebels and gave their weapons while citizens helped rebels hide from the army. Those rebels who did not free to the countryside removed their olive drab uniforms and armbands and hid their weapons and merged back to their normal lives. They felt safe as they trusted the citizens of the Oriente province to not hand them over.

Question 44

Shitty Batista army vibezzz

Answer 44

Nov 1956; the Granma ship landed in a spot that was off the original landing point, forcing sick, exhausted and hungry volunteers to carry their heavy equipment ashore. Batista’s Air Force spotted the and they were attacked with the threat that the Army would arrive soon. However, the army adopted a reactive strategy and did not engage with the rebels with counter-insurgency. They relied on other advantages (such as US equipment) and remained in their garrisons. Making them static targets to rebels who used mobility and surprises in their attacks. The rebels frequently attacked army patrols to grab weapons and ammunition before disappearing.

Question 45

Why was Fidel favoured in Sierra Maestra?

Answer 45

The army’s harsh methods of interrogation also made peasants support Castro more, increasing a demoralised army as well. The FIdelistas were under strict instructions to avoid brutality with civilians or captured army soldiers. The torture and murder of prisoners was forbidden and, if allowed, enemy wounds could be treated. However, if any person was found guilty of crimes against the peasants, he would be executed by the unit leader or injured party. Most peasants saw it as harsh but effective, far better than the corrupt legal system and police

Question 46

Rural campaign

Answer 46

Castro did not intend to wage war from a rural base, but the failure of the Santiago uprising and his own disastrous landing meant he had to adjust. He favoured a guerrilla campaign, which soon developed into full-scale engagements with the army in Sierra Maestra.

Question 47

Castro’s success

Answer 47

His movement’s flexibility and willingness to adapt to the situation was vital to Castro’s success. Which would not have been possible with a less motivated or resilient activity While other anti-barista organisation tried to use force agains the regime, they failed to deal with the police and army. From students in March 1957 to Prío and his supporters in May 1957 to the officers and sailors in Cienfuegos in September, all failed. This secured Castro’s position in the public as the only true opponent to Batista’s regime.

Question 48

Castro’s urban revolutionary movements

Answer 48

The underground cells of the M-26-7 movement in the cities had a determined campaign of sabotage and propaganda to support Castro’s Guerrilla campaign. They coordinated with middle-class professionals and the Ortodoxos - organised strikes, anti-regime graffiti and the dissemination of information to counter the government’s own propaganda. Over 30,000 acts of sabotage were committed in to the two year campaign.

Question 49

Frank Paìs’s murder

Answer 49

Paìs’s resistance cells had been the hub for the M-26-7 organisation in the Oriente province and hi smurder by the police in July 1957 in Santiago parked a strike that soon spread to the provinces of Camagüey and Las Villas. Batista reacted by suspending constitutional rights, playing into the hands of those who labelled him an undemocratic dictator

Question 50

Strikes during the Sierra Maestra campaign

Answer 50

During the strikes of Paìs, Castro’s forces launched more attacks against the increasingly demoralised government outposts and forcing Batista to withdraw his forces from the area by Spring 1958. In March 1958, the rebels called for a nationwide strike as a show of solidarity with the M-26-7 movement. The strike was organised for 9 April and received strong support in eastern and central Cuba. However, with little success in the West where the majority of the labour forces lived. Due to the labour unions and PSP still mostly supporting Batista, he felt he was still popular. Putting in place harsh and brutal methods to quel protests. Castro stated that the failure of the general strike was a major setback, however it was not enough for Batista to regain support the was losing and his more demoralised army.

Question 51

Urban Campaigns rating

Answer 51

The urban campaigns were not as successful as the rural campaign and by 1958, the resistance to Batista was centred around liberated areas of Sierra Maestra and the Oriente province

Question 52

Operation Verano

Answer 52

June 1958; convinced that the tide was shifting, Batista launched the operation with 12,000 government troops, backed by air support, tans and artillery. However they had many weakness despite numbers. The first major engagement were bad for the army, who suffered heavy casualties. Castro’s men treated the army mercifully, allowing them to even join the rebels. Encouraging disheartened troops to surrender then fight.

Question 53

The weaknesses of Operation Verano

Answer 53

1. More than half of the troops were conscripts with little training and incentive to fight
2. The operational command was divided between two rival generals (Eulogio Cantillo and Alberto del Rio Chaviano)
3. Castro’s forces knew the ground well and prepared for the offensive by planting minefields and ambushes.
4. By mid 1958, the local population was in support of Castro ands men, providing excellent intelligence on troop movement while doing the opposite for the government.

Question 54

the one “victory” of Operation Verano

Answer 54

The Battle of Las Mercedes (28 July to 8 August); an ambush succeed in trapping two rebel columns and killing 70 men. Total disaster was avoided since Guevara’s column managed to cut off 1500 army reinforcements, buy-in time for Castro to negotiate a ceasefire and suggest he was willing to discuss and end to the war. During the six days of negotiations, the rebel forces quietly slipped away so when negotiations failed, the Cuban army started to fight with no rebel forces.

Question 55

Castro’s victory

Answer 55

following the failure of Operation Verano, Batista’s forces were aware that the end was close. Castro immediately launched a counter-attack to capitalise the situation. His forces then moved to central Cuba, with their numbers filled with peasants and army deserters. By December 1958, the FIdelistas numbered 3000, remarkable for the initial 18 survivors from Granma. Castro’s supporters abroad also smuggled him new weapons and ammunition by plane but most weapons came from Batista’s own forces which surrendered them or left them behind as they fled. After bitter fighting in Santiago, Santa Clara and the defeat of the army garrison at Yaguajay on 30 December 1958, Batista fled Cuba to the DR. Castro entered Havana on the 2nd of January 1959.

Question 56

Why did Batista’s Regime fall? (1)

Answer 56

According to Balfour, the main reason was because it was “corrupt and barbarous. Batista’s failure to retain support of any social elites meant he relied on communist-led trade unions and organised labour. The M-26-7 movement’s promises of reducing corruption appealed to the working classess, especially the peasants in eastern and central Cuba. The escalating violence and economic crisis caused by their reolvution damaged support for Batista from business elites (of which was already weakened by corruption). His failure to counter Catro’s propaganda, combined with the police force’s use of torture led to public pressure on the US to withdraw support for Batista while encouraging more support for Castro.

Question 57

Why did Batista’s Regime fall? (2)

Answer 57

Batista believed that he could recreate the popularity that he had enjoyed during his 1940-1944 presidential term. However, the illegitimacy of his 1952 coup and failure to address social inequity and corruption proved vital. Relaxing press restrictions prior to the 1954 elections also meant that his opponents could further challenge his legitimacy. In response to to growing international awareness of Batista’s brutality through pro-Castro articles. the US finally banned arms sales in Cuba. It was symbolic that the US simply did not support Batista anymore.