emergence of fidel castro – part ii

Emergence of Fidel Castro Emergence of Fidel Castro – Part II– Part II

First Domestic PoliciesFirst Domestic Policies

• Eliminate corruption and illiteracyEliminate corruption and illiteracy• Project to drain a huge swamp for rice-Project to drain a huge swamp for rice-

growing and tourismgrowing and tourism• Low salaries were raisedLow salaries were raised• Big estates (many owned by the U.S.) were Big estates (many owned by the U.S.) were

broken up and converted into cooperativesbroken up and converted into cooperatives• U.S. companies began to be nationalizedU.S. companies began to be nationalized• In the short term, all but the very rich In the short term, all but the very rich

found themselves better offfound themselves better off

End of President UrrutiaEnd of President Urrutia

• The commander of the Air Force, Diaz Lanz, defected The commander of the Air Force, Diaz Lanz, defected to the U.S. because of the growth of communismto the U.S. because of the growth of communism

• President Urrutia denounced Lanz for his defection, President Urrutia denounced Lanz for his defection, but made a lengthy attack on communism, implying but made a lengthy attack on communism, implying that Lanz had a legitimate cause for concernthat Lanz had a legitimate cause for concern

• Castro “resigned” from the government because he Castro “resigned” from the government because he believed that Urrutia had shown no interest in believed that Urrutia had shown no interest in promoting social improvementpromoting social improvement

• However, a mass public meeting of ½ million on the However, a mass public meeting of ½ million on the 2626thth of July showed support for Castro to resume his of July showed support for Castro to resume his post and caused Urrutia to resignpost and caused Urrutia to resign

Heading for the U.S.Heading for the U.S.

•Anti-Castro Cubans headed Anti-Castro Cubans headed for the U.S., especially FL. for the U.S., especially FL. Nearly 1 million arrived Nearly 1 million arrived between 1960 and 2000between 1960 and 2000

•There many conducted a There many conducted a terrorist campaign against terrorist campaign against the Castro regime with the the Castro regime with the active support of the CIAactive support of the CIA

Consolidating PowerConsolidating Power• Being anti-communist was the same as being counter-Being anti-communist was the same as being counter-

revolutionaryrevolutionary• At Havana University, troublesome professors were At Havana University, troublesome professors were

expelled or neutralizedexpelled or neutralized• Trade unions were infiltrated by communistsTrade unions were infiltrated by communists• Arrests of outspoken journalists caused hostile Arrests of outspoken journalists caused hostile

newspapers, television, and radio stations to conform or newspapers, television, and radio stations to conform or close downclose down

• Foreign priests were expelled, Cuban priests harassed and Foreign priests were expelled, Cuban priests harassed and imprisoned, seminaries closed won, publications imprisoned, seminaries closed won, publications prohibited, and security men places in churchesprohibited, and security men places in churches

• Security services placed bugsSecurity services placed bugs

The Only FriendThe Only Friend

• Concerned about U.S. reprisals, no Concerned about U.S. reprisals, no country would risk providing country would risk providing weapons to Cuba except Russiaweapons to Cuba except Russia

• The Soviet Union imported 1 million The Soviet Union imported 1 million tons of sugar in return for oil, tons of sugar in return for oil, technicians, fertilizers, and industrial technicians, fertilizers, and industrial goodsgoods

The March 1960 Havana The March 1960 Havana Harbor IncidentHarbor Incident

• A French ship blew up that was carrying A French ship blew up that was carrying Belgian arms and ammunitionBelgian arms and ammunition

• 81 people were killed with hundreds more 81 people were killed with hundreds more injuredinjured

• Although there was no evidence that Although there was no evidence that Americans committed this action, he blamed it Americans committed this action, he blamed it on themon them

• He invented a new slogan used at the end of He invented a new slogan used at the end of every speech – “Homeland or Death, We Shall every speech – “Homeland or Death, We Shall Prevail!”Prevail!”

NationalizingNationalizing

• In the spring, Castro nationalized In the spring, Castro nationalized Shell, Esso, and Standard Oil, all Shell, Esso, and Standard Oil, all who refused to process Soviet who refused to process Soviet crudecrude

•Castro then nationalized more Castro then nationalized more American assets in Cuba, American assets in Cuba, including banks and sugar millsincluding banks and sugar mills

Last StrawLast Straw• President Dwight D. Eisenhower didn’t President Dwight D. Eisenhower didn’t

support the regime because Castro support the regime because Castro unofficially supported communismunofficially supported communism

• In May, the CIA began to arm exiled In May, the CIA began to arm exiled terrorists and the mob against Cubaterrorists and the mob against Cuba

• During the winter of 1959-60, there During the winter of 1959-60, there was an increase in CIA-supervised was an increase in CIA-supervised bombing and incendiary raids piloted bombing and incendiary raids piloted by exiled Cubans based in the U.S.by exiled Cubans based in the U.S.

• In June 1960, Congress passed In June 1960, Congress passed legislation enabling President legislation enabling President Eisenhower to take “retaliatory steps”Eisenhower to take “retaliatory steps”

• An embargo was placed on Cuba An embargo was placed on Cuba which still existswhich still exists

The Bay of Pigs The Bay of Pigs InvasionInvasion

• In January 1961, diplomatic ties were In January 1961, diplomatic ties were brokenbroken

• In April, an invasion force of Cuban exiles In April, an invasion force of Cuban exiles trained in the U.S. by the CIA invaded Cubatrained in the U.S. by the CIA invaded Cuba

•Only three U.S. made planes bombed Only three U.S. made planes bombed Cuban air basesCuban air bases

•They used U.S. equipment and landed at They used U.S. equipment and landed at several sites, the main one being the Bay several sites, the main one being the Bay of Pigsof Pigs

The Bay of Pigs InvasionThe Bay of Pigs Invasion

• Castro had agents in the Castro had agents in the CIA and knew of the CIA and knew of the invasion plansinvasion plans

• He arrested at least 20,000 He arrested at least 20,000 people and held them in people and held them in theaters or sports arenas as theaters or sports arenas as a precautiona precaution

• His troops were waiting for His troops were waiting for them and captured 1,100 them and captured 1,100 menmen

The Bay of Pigs InvasionThe Bay of Pigs Invasion

• Castro compared the attack to Pearl Harbor Castro compared the attack to Pearl Harbor and compared Kennedy’s policies to Hitlerand compared Kennedy’s policies to Hitler

• Castro agreed to the repatriation of the Castro agreed to the repatriation of the prisoners in exchange for $53 million in prisoners in exchange for $53 million in food and medicinefood and medicine

• The invasion resulted in the boosting the The invasion resulted in the boosting the popularity of Castro, even in other Latin popularity of Castro, even in other Latin America countriesAmerica countries

Cuban Missile CrisisCuban Missile Crisis

• Since the U.S. had ringed the USSR with Since the U.S. had ringed the USSR with hostile alliances and nuclear missiles aimed at hostile alliances and nuclear missiles aimed at the country, the Krushchev decided to install the country, the Krushchev decided to install medium-range nuclear missiles in Cubamedium-range nuclear missiles in Cuba

• This was done because:This was done because:– It would counter U.S. nuclear missilesIt would counter U.S. nuclear missiles– They believed it could win a nuclear warThey believed it could win a nuclear war– Double the number of targets that Soviet missiles Double the number of targets that Soviet missiles

were capable of hittingwere capable of hitting


• In July 1962, the U.S. government became In July 1962, the U.S. government became aware that missiles were being imported and aware that missiles were being imported and set up in Cubaset up in Cuba

• U-2 spy planes photographed the missile sitesU-2 spy planes photographed the missile sites

• By October 16By October 16thth, President Kennedy opted for , President Kennedy opted for a naval quarantine (blockade) to prevent a naval quarantine (blockade) to prevent Soviet ships bearing missiles from reaching Soviet ships bearing missiles from reaching CubaCuba


• The USSR denounced the blockadeThe USSR denounced the blockade• From October 22From October 22ndnd-24-24thth, Soviet ships were , Soviet ships were

on course for Cubaon course for Cuba• The U.S. put its nuclear forces on red alert The U.S. put its nuclear forces on red alert

and assembled an invasion force in Floridaand assembled an invasion force in Florida• On October 24On October 24thth, the Soviet ships slowed down , the Soviet ships slowed down

and then changed course away from Cubaand then changed course away from Cuba• Khrushchev sent Kennedy a message offering to Khrushchev sent Kennedy a message offering to

withdraw the missiles in Cuba in exchange for:withdraw the missiles in Cuba in exchange for:– A U.S. pledge never to invade the islandA U.S. pledge never to invade the island– U.S. withdrawal of nuclear missiles in TurkeyU.S. withdrawal of nuclear missiles in Turkey

Results of the Cuban Missile Results of the Cuban Missile CrisisCrisis

• It was the closest to nuclear war that any two It was the closest to nuclear war that any two countries have ever comecountries have ever come

• The Soviet and U.S. missiles were removedThe Soviet and U.S. missiles were removed

• The U.S. had to tolerate a Communist country in The U.S. had to tolerate a Communist country in the Caribbeanthe Caribbean

• Relations were stained between Khrushchev and Relations were stained between Khrushchev and CastroCastro

• It led to a decrease in tension in the Cold WarIt led to a decrease in tension in the Cold War

• Khrushchev was discreditedKhrushchev was discredited

Castro’s PoliciesCastro’s Policies

• Equality for blacksEquality for blacks

• More rights for womenMore rights for women

• Every citizen was guaranteed employmentEvery citizen was guaranteed employment

• Social services were extended to all classes of Social services were extended to all classes of societysociety

• Compulsory military service taught discipline Compulsory military service taught discipline and hard workand hard work

• Temporarily allowed disaffected people to leaveTemporarily allowed disaffected people to leave

Building of AgricultureBuilding of Agriculture

• Wanted the sugar harvest to double over the Wanted the sugar harvest to double over the next five years to reach 10 million tons by 1970; next five years to reach 10 million tons by 1970; they reached 8.5 tonsthey reached 8.5 tons

• Combine harvester was inefficient on rough landCombine harvester was inefficient on rough land• China pulled out of a rice for sugar dealChina pulled out of a rice for sugar deal• Castro decided to concentrate on milk Castro decided to concentrate on milk

production rather than beef – special conditions production rather than beef – special conditions and feed made it difficult and expensive to use and feed made it difficult and expensive to use White Udder cows that were suited for Cuba’s White Udder cows that were suited for Cuba’s weather conditionsweather conditions

Great Revolutionary Great Revolutionary OffensiveOffensive

• All private enterprises were All private enterprises were nationalized - small shops, bars nationalized - small shops, bars restaurants, repair centersrestaurants, repair centers

• They were centers of profiteering, They were centers of profiteering, corruption, idleness, and immoralitycorruption, idleness, and immorality

Building of SocialismBuilding of Socialism

•Social servicesSocial services– Education was made available to Education was made available to

Cubans for free (even meals at school)Cubans for free (even meals at school)– Health services were made available to Health services were made available to

Cubans for freeCubans for free– Housing was improvedHousing was improved– Improvements were made in sanitationImprovements were made in sanitation

Building of EconomyBuilding of Economy

•EconomyEconomy– Failed to achieve significant growthFailed to achieve significant growth– Nothing to buyNothing to buy– Failed to reduce its dependence on the Failed to reduce its dependence on the

country’s chief export, cane sugarcountry’s chief export, cane sugar•This was because:This was because:

– Economic warfare was waged by the U.S. – allies were Economic warfare was waged by the U.S. – allies were pressured to join the embargopressured to join the embargo

– Economic decision making power was concentrated in a Economic decision making power was concentrated in a centralized bureaucracy headed by Castrocentralized bureaucracy headed by Castro

GovernmentGovernment

• Corruption was severely reducedCorruption was severely reduced• In 1976, a new constitution was passed, which In 1976, a new constitution was passed, which

set up an elected Municipal Assembly, who in set up an elected Municipal Assembly, who in turn elected Provincial Assemblies, which then turn elected Provincial Assemblies, which then elected the National Assemblyelected the National Assembly

• The State Council advised CastroThe State Council advised Castro• Castro was the still the head of state and the Castro was the still the head of state and the

National Assembly and State Council “rubber National Assembly and State Council “rubber stamped” his decisionsstamped” his decisions

• The CDRs also made sure no one hostile to the The CDRs also made sure no one hostile to the revolution was electedrevolution was elected

Why Follow Castro?Why Follow Castro?

• Emphasis on the goodEmphasis on the good– New schools, roads, hospitalsNew schools, roads, hospitals

• He never stopped talking and discussingHe never stopped talking and discussing• He used a type of “direct democracy” He used a type of “direct democracy”

that made millions of Cubans feel that made millions of Cubans feel involved and consulted in a way that had involved and consulted in a way that had never happened under previous never happened under previous governmentsgovernments

• Compared himself to ChristCompared himself to Christ

Embassy and Mariel Embassy and Mariel IncidentsIncidents

• In 1980, the Peruvian In 1980, the Peruvian Embassy’s gates were Embassy’s gates were crashed by a bus full of crashed by a bus full of people who wanted to people who wanted to defect, killing a Cuban defect, killing a Cuban soldiersoldier

• After refusing to give After refusing to give up the people, Castro up the people, Castro removed all the guards removed all the guards – more than 10,000 – more than 10,000 people crowded into people crowded into the Embassy buildingsthe Embassy buildings

• Also in 1980, Cuban Also in 1980, Cuban authorities rounded up authorities rounded up criminals and lunaticscriminals and lunatics

• They took them to the They took them to the port of Mariel for port of Mariel for shipment to Floridashipment to Florida

• Cuba eventually got Cuba eventually got rid of a total of rid of a total of 120,000 discontented 120,000 discontented or unwanted peopleor unwanted people

““Special Period”Special Period”

• With the collapse of the Soviet Union:With the collapse of the Soviet Union:– The price for Cuban sugar declinedThe price for Cuban sugar declined– The price for Cuba’s main import – oil – roseThe price for Cuba’s main import – oil – rose– The Cuban economy went into a free fallThe Cuban economy went into a free fall– Bicycles replaced cars; oxen replaced tractorsBicycles replaced cars; oxen replaced tractors– Government officials were laid offGovernment officials were laid off– Construction projects stoppedConstruction projects stopped– Factories producing non-essential goods were closedFactories producing non-essential goods were closed– Electricity cuts began and lasted up to 16 hours a Electricity cuts began and lasted up to 16 hours a

dayday

““Special Period”Special Period”

• People sold and bought on the black marketPeople sold and bought on the black market

• Prostitution became legalProstitution became legal

• Most people ate one meal a dayMost people ate one meal a day

• There was an epidemic of a disease causing There was an epidemic of a disease causing blindness – caused by malnutritionblindness – caused by malnutrition

• Bush extended the embargo and limited Bush extended the embargo and limited the number of Cubans gaining visasthe number of Cubans gaining visas

Fixing the EconomyFixing the Economy

• Small scale private enterprise was legalizedSmall scale private enterprise was legalized

• Farmers could sell products on open markets at Farmers could sell products on open markets at prices fixed by themselvesprices fixed by themselves

• ““War of All the People” defense strategy called War of All the People” defense strategy called for guerilla warfare, so bunkers and tunnels were for guerilla warfare, so bunkers and tunnels were builtbuilt

• In 1994, when economic unrest led to anti-In 1994, when economic unrest led to anti-government demonstrations, restrictions were government demonstrations, restrictions were lifted on those wanting to leave the countrylifted on those wanting to leave the country

Fixing the EconomyFixing the Economy

• Cuba couldn’t make inroads in bio-technology Cuba couldn’t make inroads in bio-technology because of many years of testing and giant because of many years of testing and giant multinationalsmultinationals

• Oil companies wouldn’t sign contracts to Oil companies wouldn’t sign contracts to explore for oil due to fear of the U.S. (BP explore for oil due to fear of the U.S. (BP feared CANF would sabotage its stations)feared CANF would sabotage its stations)

• CANF (Cuban-American National Foundation), CANF (Cuban-American National Foundation), a powerful lobbying group, wouldn’t let any a powerful lobbying group, wouldn’t let any politician normalize relations with Cubapolitician normalize relations with Cuba

Effects of U.S. AggressionEffects of U.S. Aggression

• The EU and UN both signed resolutions The EU and UN both signed resolutions deploring the U.S. trade embargodeploring the U.S. trade embargo

• Forced the Castro regime to be on the Forced the Castro regime to be on the defensivedefensive

• Ensured the development of a totalitarian Ensured the development of a totalitarian statestate

• Forced the Cubans into the Communist camp Forced the Cubans into the Communist camp and an alliance with the USSRand an alliance with the USSR

• Damaged the development of CubaDamaged the development of Cuba

emergence of fidel castro – part ii

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