Notes on The Cuban Revolution

Background

• 1492: Cuba is claimed by Spain, following Columbus’ conquest
• 1526: Import of Slaves
• 1868-78: Wars of independence, truce
• 1886: Slavery abolished
• 1895-98: Jose Marti leads a second war of independence; US declares war on Spain.
• May 19, 1895: Marti dies in military action
• 1898: US defeats Spain, Spain signs treaty ceding Cuba to the US

US Economic Interest in Cuba

• By 1860, Cuba was devoted to growing sugar, having to import all other goods. Cuba was particularly dependent on the United States, which bought 82 percent of its sugar.
• In 1895, American capital flows into Cuba, mostly sugar, tobacco and mining. Politically under Spanish control, dependent on US commerce
• 1902: Cuba independent country, but Platt Amendment keeps the island under US protection and gives the US the right to intervene in Cuban affairs
• Cuba considered key to the Caribbean and continued commerce with the US
• US capital displaced local capital and almost 90 percent of the economy was in US hands, as was its commerce
• During Batista’s dictatorship (1933-59), Cuba also becomes a brothel and gambling site for US citizens (The Godfather 2, Boardwalk Empire)

Failed Governments and Dictators

• 1912: US returns to Cuba to help put down protests against discrimination of black people
• 1933: Machado overthrown in a coup led by Sergeant Fulgencio Batista
• 1953: Fidel Castro leads an unsuccessful revolt against the Batista regime. Jail time and exile in Mexico
• 1956: Castro lands in eastern Cuba from Mexico and takes to the Sierra Maestra mountains where, aided by Ernesto “Che” Guevara, Cienfuegos, Raul Castro, and others he wages a guerrilla war
• 1958: The US withdraws military aid to Batista

Organization of Revolution

• 1954: Ernesto “Che” Guevara arrives in Mexico City
• 1955: Castro exiles to Mexico after being released from jail over the failed takeover of Moncada army barracks
• 1955: Raul and Fidel are introduced to Guevara
• 1956: Fidel, Raul, Guevara, Camilo Cienfuegos and 78 insurgents board the Granma

Voyage and Landing (1956)

• The Granma needed repairs that could not be completed due to safety issues
• The boat exceeded capacity by 60 people, leaked, and used up too much oil. One of them went overboard and had to be rescued
• They arrived later than planned, to the wrong spot, and two days after the popular attacks against federal buildings that was meant to distract authorities during their landing
• Spotted and attacked by Batista’s army, out of the original 80 people, less than 20 made it to the Sierra Maestra

Ongoing Actions in the Jungle and Cities

• As the “barbudos” (bearded people) gain positions in the jungle, actions were taken by university students and unions
• 1957: students unsuccessfully attack government
• 1957: Cuban leader, Frank Pais, is killed by government while organizing Batista overthrow
• 1958: Castro’s Movement, 25 of July, organizes a fairly successful general strike
• 1959: General strike opens Havana to the “barbudos” and to the women involved in the revolution

USA Involvement

• Not a socialist revolution at the beginning (treacherous bourgeoisie, Socialism and Man)
• 1961: Bay of Pigs radicalizes Cubans
• CIA Assassination attempts
• Ongoing Embargo