Cuban Revolution Flashcards
Who was Fulgencio Batista?
Fulgencio Batista was a Cuban right-winged dictator that was overthrown by communists lef by Fidel Castro. Batista sat as President twice, one after defeating opposition Grau in 1940 which lasted until 1944. After his presidency he left politics for eight years, before returning to Cuba to overthrow the government in a coup. He assumed power in 1952, focusing on establishing his empire rather than the issues occurring in Cuba. Batista fled to exile in 1958 in response to the threat of the revolutionaries attempting to overtake his regime.
Who was Fidel Castro?
Fidel Castro was a lawyer in Havana who experienced firsthand the economic issues and social inequalities occurring across the country due to Batista’s regime. He began the revolutionary group, the 26th of July movement to fight their government, which overall resulted in victory on January 1, 1959. He held multiple positions during his time in government, resulting in the strained relationship with the US due to radical policies leading to a trade embargo.
Who was Che Guevara?
Che Guevara was a marxist revolutionary allied with Fidel Castro during the Cuban Revolution. After taking power in 1959, Guevara was appointed to high military and government posts, but Geuvara was determined that his contribution to the world revolution did not end with Cuba. After being unsuccessful in both Congo and Bolivia with guerrilla warfare, he was captured and executed.
What were the political conditions under Batista?
- Authoritarian Rule
- Lack of democratic freedom
- Support from the US
- Corruption
What were the social conditions under Batista?
- Social inequality
- Oppression and Repression
- Crime and corruption
What were the economical conditions under Batista?
- Reliance on the US
- Wealth disparity
- Tourism and mafia influence
- Rural poverty
Outline the events of the Moncada Barracks 1953.
On the 26th of July 1953, Castro staged an attack on the Batista government, with the hope to capture the weapons armoury and seize the Palace of Justice. The plan was outlined; Castro would take 79 men to storm the barracks and capture the armoury, whilst Rual would take 10 men to seize the Palace. If all failed they were to head to the mountains to begin a guerrilla warfare with the government. The morning of, at 5:30am, 26 carloads of rebels dressed as soldiers arrived in Santiago, capturing the Palace and hospital. However the men were stopped by machine-gun equipped soldiers, resulting in the capture of 80 prisoners. The prisoners were either tortured or executed. Castro with the remaining men fled to the mountains where a patrol led by Pedro Sarria captured them. Castro was given a special secret trial in October 1953.
Outline the characteristics of the 26th of July Movement.
The 26th July Movement was a group of Cuban revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro, deriving their name from the attack on the Moncada Barracks. The group sought to overthrow the Batista regime. Castro began to immerse himself in opposition activities such as writing newspaper articles attacking the regime and speaking at demonstrations. At major risk of personal safety, Castro fled to Mexico on the 7th of July 1955. The Movement lacked money and was under pressure from the Mexican government, therefore Castro embarked on a fundraising tour across the US. Preparations for the invasion were underway, as Castro received $40 000 from Prio Socarras to buy the yacht Granma. On November 25, Cuba and the remaining Movement began their journey to Cuba, after a successful raid by the Mexican government. They landed in Oriente Province on December 2nd, and on December 5, they were surrounded by soldiers who opened fire on the rebels killing at least 20 revolutionaries.
What happened in march 1958?
US suspended supply of arms to Cuba, despite the fact that Eisenhower still supported Batista.
What happened in May 1958?
Operation Verano: a new military offensive which included 10 000 soldiers to crush the rebels.
What happened in July 1958?
Castro’s forces defeated an entire battalion at the battle of El Jiuge. When Castro realised he knew the commander, he proposed a ceasefire, leading to the surrender of 146 men.
What happened in October 1958?
Che Geuvara’s forces reached Las Villas where they joined with other revolutionaries. Together, they launched an offensive, cutting off roads.
What happened in November 1958?
On 20 November a squad of 180 rebels under Castro’s direction moved against the strategic garrison at Guisa de Miranda.
What happened in December?
By 6 December the army had suffered 250 casualties and abandoned the garrison. On 31 December, Santa Clara had fallen to Geuvara’s troops.
Outline Guerrilla Warfare and its place in the Cuban Revolution?
The Cuban Revolution marked a significant shift in Latin America, highlighting the power of guerrilla warfare in resisting oppressive governments. The three key lessons learnt from the revolution; public forces can win, population unrest and political drive is enough to start a revolution and the revolution should take place in rural areas.
Castro’s guerrilla warfare relied on the power and support of those living in rural areas. The effectiveness of his warfare was in thanks to the peasants who supported him and his incredible physical and mental stamina to keep moving. The use of guerrilla warfare in the Battle of Santa Clara was demonstrated with Guevara’s tactics including constant mobility, distrust and vigilance.
How did Cuba become a communist state?
- Castro was seeking political support so he did not resist the communists.
- Introduced land and economic reform
- Announced the revolutionary government as socialist in 1961.
- Established the communist party in 1965.
How did the US react to the revolution?
- US was unhappy with revolutionary leaders.
- Strained relationship due to relation with communists and verbal abuse.
- Nixon-Castro meeting
- USSR declare they will buy Cuban sugar and provide supplies and aid.
