Lecture 9 Cuban Revolution Flashcards
What was the relationship between Cuba and Spain before the Spanish-American War?
Cuba was a Spanish possession from the 16th century, despite periodic nationalist rebellions like those led by José Martí in the late 19th century.
What was the U.S. role in Cuba by the 1890s?
The U.S., concerned about instability and with investments totaling $30–50 million in Cuban industries, began opposing Spanish control and supporting Cuban insurgents.
What was the outcome of the Spanish-American War (1898) for Cuba?
Cuba gained independence from Spain with U.S. support, but effectively traded Spanish control for U.S. influence.
What did the Teller Amendment (1898) promise?
The Teller Amendment promised that the U.S. would not annex Cuba at the end of the Spanish-American War
How did the Platt Amendment (1901) impact Cuba?
It gave the U.S. a naval base at Guantanamo Bay, the right to intervene if its interests were threatened, and required its inclusion in the Cuban constitution as a condition for ending U.S. occupation.
When did the U.S. first intervene in Cuba under the Platt Amendment?
The U.S. intervened to change the Cuban government in 1906 under the Platt Amendment.
When was the Platt Amendment formally renounced, and by whom?
President Franklin Roosevelt formally renounced the Platt Amendment in 1934.
Who was José Martí?
José Martí (1853–1895) was a 19th-century Cuban nationalist who organized resistance to Spanish control and advocated for Cuban independence with the slogan “Cuba Libre!”
What did the 1898 political cartoon “The Duty of the Hour” depict?
The cartoon suggested that the United States had an obligation to save the Cuban people not only from Spanish rule but also from a descent into anarchy after Spanish power was removed.
How did the cartoon “The Duty of the Hour” reflect U.S. views on Cuba?
It reflected the belief that the U.S. had a moral duty to intervene in Cuba to provide stability and prevent chaos after Spanish rule.
What role did Fulgencio Batista play in the “Sergeant’s Plot”?
Batista led the “Sergeant’s Plot” on September 5, 1933, overthrowing the ruling government and promoting himself to Colonel, becoming the behind-the-scenes power-broker in Cuba.
When did Fulgencio Batista first become President of Cuba?
Batista became the first non-white President of Cuba in October 1940.
What happened in Batista’s political career after his presidency ended in 1944?
Batista returned as a senator in 1948 and positioned himself for another presidential run in 1952, but staged a bloodless coup on March 10, 1952, when he believed he would lose the election.
How did the U.S. react to Batista’s 1952 coup?
The U.S. government tacitly approved Batista’s bloodless coup on March 10, 1952.
How did Fulgencio Batista’s regime from 1952-1959 differ from his earlier presidency?
Batista’s later regime suspended the 1940 Constitution, imposed strict press censorship, and relied on secret police who killed 10,000-20,000 people.
What were Batista’s main sources of power during his rule?
Batista ruled through control of the Cuban army, support from white landowners, and accommodating U.S. business interests (both legal and illegal).
How significant was U.S. economic influence in Cuba by the 1950s?
U.S. interests owned all of Cuba’s petroleum refining, 90% of the mines, 80% of public utilities, 50% of railways, 40% of sugar production, and 25% of bank deposits.
What social and political problems arose in Cuba during Batista’s regime?
Problems included unemployment, an increasing gap between rich and poor, gangsterism, corruption, reliance on sugar, U.S. economic domination, and poor health care and education.
What event marked the start of Fidel Castro’s July 26 Movement?
The July 26, 1953, raid on the Moncada barracks marked the start of Fidel Castro’s movement.
What famous phrase did Fidel Castro use during his defense after the Moncada raid?
“History will absolve me.”
What role did organized crime play in Cuba under Batista’s regime?
U.S. gangsters like Meyer Lansky, Charles Luciano, and Santo Trafficante, Jr., profited from their ties with Batista, controlling Cuba’s gambling, narcotics, and prostitution rackets.
When did organized crime begin its operations in Cuba?
Mafia figures started running rum from Cuba in the 1920s and established ties with Colonel Batista after the 1933 Sergeants Plot.
How did the mafia’s influence in Cuba evolve during Batista’s rule?
As Batista’s power increased in the 1950s, the mafia expanded its influence, dominating key illicit industries in Cuba.
What was Havana’s nickname due to its mob-run casinos?
Havana was known as the “Latin Las Vegas” because of its mob-run casinos catering to U.S. tourists.
What is an example of a famous mob-run casino in Havana?
The Tropicana was a famous mob-run casino in Havana.
What industry played a major role in Cuba’s reputation during Batista’s rule?
Mob-run casinos and entertainment, catering largely to U.S. tourists, established Cuba’s reputation.
