Cuba's Revolutionary Path: From Colony to Nation

Cuba suffered from its dependency on the U.S. and the reduced demand for sugar. In 1959, it became the scene of the most successful social revolution in Latin America.

Foundations of Cuban Independence

Key Figures and Early Resistance

José Martí was the leader and founder of El Partido Revolucionario Cubano (The Cuban Revolutionary Party). Afro-Cubans constituted the majority of the soldiers, known as the "Mambises". Women played an important role because they provided food and information, which led to the demand for women's rights.

Spanish Repression and Growing Unrest

General Valeriano Weyler killed many insurgents, fueling the Cubans' hatred for the Spanish rulers. Americans had many businesses in Cuba and were worried about the war because their businesses were being destroyed.

U.S. Intervention and Its Aftermath

The Road to U.S. Involvement in 1898

By 1898, Cuba was out of control. The U.S. had to intervene because they feared the Cuban revolutionary government might take over from the Spanish. It wasn't until the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor that President McKinley and Congress decided to intervene. They told the Spanish to leave, but they rejected it.

Cuban Exclusion from Peace Negotiations

Cuban revolutionaries did not want the intervention, but they were excluded from decision-making, and both the Mambises and other Cubans were not recognized for their efforts.

U.S. Objectives for Cuba (1899-1902)

Between 1899 and 1902, the U.S. aimed to:

• Make Cuba a self-governing society.
• Repair war destruction and promote Cuba's economic recovery.
• Absorb Cuba into the U.S. economic sphere of influence.

The U.S. Protectorate Era (1902-1924)

Political Instability and Social Unrest

From 1902 to 1924, Cuba was a U.S. protectorate. President Tomás Estrada Palma led a corrupt and fraudulent government. The lower classes, seeking social justice, organized trade unions. In 1908, Evaristo Estenoz, an Afro-Cuban leader, created the Independent Party of Color to defend Black Cubans and democracy.

The Impact of World War I on Cuba

During World War I, sugar prices doubled because Allied countries depended on Cuban sugar. This high price, however, caused chaos in the economy.

Political Shifts and Dictatorship (1933-1959)

From Revolutionary Juntas to Shifting Leadership

In 1933, socialist students and workers formed juntas to help overthrow the government. Ramón Grau was exiled for a year, and Carlos Mendieta replaced him.

Batista's Rise and Return to Power

In 1939, Batista won elections and implemented socialist reforms. However, Grau returned but did not do what he promised.

Batista's Dictatorship and Castro's Revolution

Batista's Dictatorship (1952-1959) marked a period of authoritarian rule. Fidel Castro was born in 1927, the son of a Spanish farmer. In 1959, he moved the revolution towards socialist reforms. He stopped exportations from the U.S. due to attempts to overthrow him.

Post-Revolutionary Cuba and Economic Challenges

The government implemented rationing from 1962 to 1970. Castro returned sugar to Cuba, aiming for a 10 million-ton harvest.