Political Developments in LA Flashcards
1
Q
Outline the social causes of the Cuban Revolution (4)
A
- Batista had failed to create equality between rural and urban towns e.g. 11% of city dwellers were illiterate compared to 42% in rural towns
- 60% of doctors were located in Havana.
- Only 60% of rural homes had power yet 87% in urban settings.
- Average life expectancy of 59.9 years and 50% of all Cubans were undernourished
2
Q
Outline the economic causes of the Cuban Revolution (4)
A
- US domination of Cuban markets through the 1901 Platt Amendment (90% of telephone, electricity, most banks and all of its oil, 40% sugar refineries, 60% sugar harvest) was heavily resented
- By 1956, 1/3 of Cubans were not in full time work
- Batista did attempt some reform through the 1955 National Program for Economic Action
- Saney: The working class were “critical” to Castro’s success
3
Q
Outline the political causes of the Cuban Revolution (6)
A
- Castro carefully managed a broad base of support
- Effective orator (History Will Absolve Me - 1963)
- Effective use of propaganda (Herbert Mathews, Cubiana, Jose Marti, radio)
- US arms embargo 1958
- Edwin Williamson: Batista lost the propaganda war
- Bethell: US arms embargo was “most effective step”
4
Q
Castro’s Political Policies (3)
A
- Stopped elections in May 1960
- Founds the Cuban Communist party in 1965
- Popular Power established in 1976 will allowed elections to political assemblies although somewhat limited in their actual impact
5
Q
Castro’s Economic Policies (6)
A
- Aimed to reduce dependency on sugar and to modernize
- Issued expropriation (10% of Cuban farmland was confiscated) and increased wages
- Sugar output grew from 5.4 million in 1950s to 6.2 million by 1960s. Battle for Sugar 1970 - 7.5 million out of 10 million
- USSR trade treaty for $100 million in 1960 to combat US trade embargo yet became heavily reliant on USSR (63% food and 96% fuel)
- Fall of USSR led to rationing, austerity and reversal in policy e.g dollars became legal tender and allowed return of exiles (80,000 to 7,000)
- Overall Cuban economy grew 4% from 1975-81 compared to 1.2% elsewhere in LA
6
Q
Castro’s Social Policies
A
- Free and universal health care and benefits system
- 1958: 8% had access to health care, 1959: 100%
- 1961 Year of Education: 72% -> 96% literacy, 3,000 schools built, 30,000 children attended for first time, by 1990 90% of children attended secondary school compared to just 14% in 1940
- Women empowered through easier divorce, free abortions, 13%->30% in work (1950-80), 1975 family code, FMC (36-10hrs)
- Bethell: result of modernization rather than deliberate policy
7
Q
Castro’s Treatment of Opposition (4)
A
- Exile: 1951-61 at least 40,000 emigrants left Cuba
- Bethell: Use of forced exile led to a brain drain but enabled potential leaders of the opposition to be exported
- UMAP camps: 35,000 inmates, 507 wards, 180 suicide, 72 torture
- Committees for the Defense of the Revolution - 300,000 members monitored the public
8
Q
Castro’s Impact on the Region
A
- Land reform led Eisenhower to break off relations and establish a trade embargo
- Tensions heighten after failed bay of pigs invasion which push Castro into a Soviet Alliance
- John Alfred: revolution was “Marxist-Leninist”
- Encouraged small scale operations against Trujillo and Somoza as well as in Peru, Venezuela and Argentina (1,500 trained 1961-64)
- Supported Allende and Guevara travelled to Bolivia
- Piero Glejeses: “Cuba’s role in the world was without precedent…second only to the USA”
9
Q
Outline the Rise to Power of Peron
A
- Preconditions: “The Infamous Decade” was a period of political and economic instability. Heavily reliant on Britain (foreign investment 50% of capita) and attempted import substitution industrialization yet unable to compete with US and Canada for grain and beef. Peron was part of 1943 coup and took position of labour and welfare
- Strategy: Passed the Peasant Statute (unionized workers, guaranteed conditions, allowed paid holidays) and organized fundraising of 1944 San Juan earthquake. Became minister of war in 1944 and tripled its size and doubled spending
- Oct 1945: Pero resigned due to pressure from opponents which prompted demonstrations (150,000 descamisados called for his release) in Plaza de mayo.
- Elections of 1946L Consolidated support through Labour Party and gave Christmas bonus. Won with 52%
- Robert Crossweller: “movement came to be seen as the personal and sole achievement of Peron”
- Jill Hedges: Plazo de Mayo was the “apogee of the mystical relationship between Peron and the workers
10
Q
What were Peron’s economic policies? (8)
A
- In 1945 he nationalized the Central Bank
- Under his five year plan he invested heavily in industry and formed the IAPI - Institute for Promotion of Trade which lead to industrial growth of 40%
- Modernization of the rail network and construction of the Rio Turbio railway
- In 1948, all foreign owned railways (70% British) nationalized and some telephone companies too
- Paid off all foreign debit by 1947
- Wages rose by 20% in first three years but declined in 1949-52
- The second 5 year plan marked a reversal of economic nationalism as inflation grew to 31% by 1951
- Lewis: “high inflation was the greatest reason for his downfall
11
Q
What were Peron’s social polices? (4)
A
- Construction of 42,000 medical facilities, 8,000 schools and 650,00 homes
- Implementation of the minimum wage and controlled length of work day
- Eva Peron Foundation - lady of hope, 5,000 sewing machines, 40,000 pairs of shoes, 200,000 cooking points
- Female suffrage achieve din 1947, 90% later voted for Peron
12
Q
What were Peron’s political policies? (5)
A
- Formation of Peronist Party
- Eva’s Rainbow tour
- Amended 1853 constitution in order to run for a second term
- Removed opposition judge from the Supreme Court
- Gave equal rights to illegitimate children in 1954 and legalized divorce and prostitution while banned religious education
- Peter Winn “gave worker’s a sense of self worth”
13
Q
Peron’s treatment of opposition? (4)
A
- 1951 election, the Radicals were give minimal media coverage and could not buy any radio time
- April 1953 - Peron urged supporters to be violent towards socialists after attacks
- Government took over La Prensa
- Peron used the National Liberating Alliance and the police as thugs
14
Q
Outline the Fall of Allende (8)
A
- Allende had repeatedly stood for President as Chile’s Socialist party leader (4 times) and was eventually elected in 1970 despite the $10 million granted to the CIA
- He implemented a prize freeze with benefitted 95% in the short term and nationalize cooper mines whilst increasing wages
- However his nationalization of coal, steel and banks angered elites and the US. The middleclass also feared Soviet style workers’ cooperatives
- The US stopped providing $70 mill in aid and funded propaganda and strikes e.g. 1971 “march of empty pots.”
- Inflation reached 300% , shortage of goods, limited USSR aid, 1971 march of empty pots
- Allende’s use of presidential decrees alienated the government and 10 cabinet changes in 3 years
- Roxborough - role of the USSR
- Peter Winn - role of CIA was crucial
15
Q
What were Vargas’s economic policies? (7)
A
- In 1940 Five Year Plan to expand heavy industry, generate hydroelectric power, and expand the rail system. Formed state sponsored companies such as. National Steel Company 1941, National Motor Company 1946 (Justicialismo)
- In 1951, he proposed the creation of Petrobras (to create “national liberty.”)
3, Volta Redonda steel plant created in 1946. By 1955 it was producing 646,000 tons - Between 1950 and 1961, the average annual rate of growth of the gross domestic product exceeded 7 percent.
- Industry had an average annual growth rate of over 9 percent between 1950 and 1961, compared with 4.5 percent for agriculture.
- Contradictions in foreign independence: Americans Loans needed for Volta Redonda plant in 1946. Led to US being able to lease air bases in northern Brazil before WW2.
- R. S Rose. One of the Forgotten Things. (2002)
“…for the middle class, [Vargas] was the one who brought stability…”
