Cuba's Revolutionary Path: From Spanish Rule to Castro

In 1959, *Cuba* became the scene of the most successful social revolution in Latin America. This pivotal event was the culmination of decades of political unrest, foreign intervention, and internal struggles for sovereignty and self-determination.

Roots of Revolution: Spanish Rule and US Intervention

*José Martí* was a key leader and founder of *El Partido Revolucionario Cubano*, advocating for Cuba's independence from Spain. However, the brutal tactics of Spanish General *Valeriano Weyler*, who killed many insurgents, fueled further hatred towards Spanish rule.

American businesses in Cuba faced destruction due to the ongoing conflict, causing significant concern in the United States. By 1898, the situation in Cuba was out of control, prompting the United States to intervene. This intervention was driven by fears that a Cuban revolutionary government might take over from the Spanish, and was ultimately triggered by the sinking of the *USS Maine* in Havana Harbor. President *McKinley* and the U.S. Congress decided to intervene, demanding Spain's withdrawal from Cuba, a demand which Spain rejected. Notably, Cuban revolutionaries were excluded from decision-making and war training during this period, highlighting the complex nature of the intervention.

The First U.S. Occupation: 1899-1902

Following the Spanish-American War, the United States initiated its first occupation of Cuba with several key objectives:

1. To establish Cuba as a self-governing society.
2. To repair the destruction caused by the war, sustain U.S. interests, and promote economic recovery.
3. To integrate Cuba into the United States' economic sphere of influence.

Intervention, Corruption, and Popular Resistance: 1902-1924

During this period, Cuba functioned as a U.S. protectorate. Popular resistance and political movements began to emerge.

• In 1908, under the leadership of *Evaristo Estenoz*, Afro-Cubans established the *Independent Party of Color* to defend the rights of Black Cubans and promote democracy.
• During *World War I*, the price of sugar in Cuba doubled as Allied countries became heavily dependent on Cuban sugar. This high price, however, led to economic chaos within Cuba, demonstrating the fragility of its sugar-dependent economy.

The 1933 Revolution and Batista's Rise

The 1933 Revolution saw socialist students and workers forming *juntas* to help overthrow the existing government. Widespread dissatisfaction with President *Ramón Grau* led to his exile for a year, and he was replaced by *Carlos Mendieta*. Later, in 1939, *Fulgencio Batista* won the elections and implemented socialist reforms. However, *Grau* eventually returned to power but failed to deliver on his promises.

Batista's Dictatorship and Castro's Challenge: 1952-1959

*Batista* returned as a dictator from 1952 to 1959. His authoritarian rule was deeply unpopular, leading to the formation of several opposition parties. In 1953, a movement led by *Fidel Castro* attempted to overthrow him but was initially unsuccessful.

*Fidel Castro*, born in 1927, was the son of a Spanish farmer. In 1959, Castro successfully moved the revolution towards socialist reform, fundamentally altering Cuba's political and economic landscape.

The Early Castro Era: Reforms and Confrontation

Following the revolution, all exports from the U.S. to Cuba were prohibited, particularly after the *Bay of Pigs Invasion*—an attempt to attack the southern part of Cuba and overthrow *Fidel Castro*. The revolutionary government implemented significant changes, including increasing wages and reducing unemployment.

Despite these reforms, economic mismanagement in Cuba led to rationing in 1962. By 1963-1970, Castro's government re-established sugar as a central economic pillar, aiming to stabilize the nation's economy.