THE CUBAN REVOLUTION

Ms Gogel

In 1952, Batista, an army sergeant, seized power in Cuba.

He did little to improve conditions of unemployment and starvation.

In 1959, a revolution erupted in Cuba.

POLITICAL CAUSES: 1)Rule by a repressive dictatorship2) Corruption and bribery among government officials

3) Government was not solving the people’s problems

ECONOMIC CAUSES:

1)Control of Cuba’s sugar plantations by the upper class.

2) Unequal distribution of wealth

3) High unemployment

4) Special favors to foreign investors

SOCIAL CAUSES: 1) Lack of housing, medical care, and education. 

2) Discrimination against blacks and the poor

BECAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS, FIDEL CASTRO ORGANIZED A GUERILLA ARMY TO OVERTHROW BATISTA.

CASTRO GAINED SUPPORT BY PROMISING REFORMS. THIS LASTED FOR 3 YEARS.

EFFECTS OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION

POLITICAL CHANGES:

 1) Totalitarian government: controlling all aspects of Cuban life. (Communism)

 2) Denial of basic political freedoms (ex – freedom of speech, religion, etc…)

3) Violation of human rights and suppression of political opposition. (no opposition to the government).

EFFECTS OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION

SOCIAL CHANGES: 1) Cuba will have a classless society where there will be no discrimination based on race or social class.  2) Expansion of public education 3) Improvements in literacy, housing, and medical care

EFFECTS OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION

ECONOMIC CHANGES: 1) Establishment of collective farms, or farms operated by the government. 2) Government control of business and industry. 3) Seizure of foreign property with little to no compensation.

MANY PEOPLE FLED CUBA AND CAME TO THE UNITED STATES.

APRIL 1961 - THE US LAUNCHED A SECRET ATTACK ON CUBA (BAY OF PIGS).

TENSION INCREASED BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CUBA.

THERE IS STILL A TRADE EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA WHICH HAS HURT THE CUBAN ECONOMY.