Consolidation and maintenance: Castro's legal methods Notes

Legal methods

The Triumph of the Revolution and the Consolidation of Power: Legal (and not so legal) methods

1. Castro saw Batista’s fall as only the start; he aimed to reorganize Cuba’s social and economic systems.
2. Key goal: end U.S. dominance over trade, land, and industry, which he blamed for inequality and poverty.
3. Promises: land redistribution, higher wages, fairer work conditions, universal healthcare and education.
4. Old regime purged: Batista’s officials arrested, imprisoned, or executed in rapid, controversial trials.
5. Provisional government (1959): included moderates like Urrutia, but Castro, as head of the armed forces, held real power.
6. From his base at the Havana Hilton, Castro sidelined moderates while the 26th of July Movement and PSP gained dominance.
7. Provisional government collapse (1959): By July, PM José Miró Cardona resigned over radical reforms; Castro became prime minister.
8. President Urrutia forced out (1959): Accused of blocking reforms, replaced by Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado, loyal to Castro.
9. Consolidation of power (1961–65):
   1. Revolutionary factions merged into Integrated Revolutionary Organizations (ORI) (1961).
   2. Became United Party of the Socialist Revolution (1962).
   3. Transformed into the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) (1965), with Castro as First Secretary.
   4. PCC became sole legal party, controlling education, media, and youth groups (e.g., Granma).
10. Suppression of dissent:
    1. Huber Matos resigned in 1959 over lack of elections and communist influence; arrested and sentenced to 20 years.
    2. Camilo Cienfuegos disappeared in 1959 after being sent to arrest Matos; officially a plane crash, but suspected purge.