Emergence: Methods used to achieve Castro's power Notes

Methods used to establish the Authoritarian State in Cuba

Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz

1. Born 1926, Oriente, Cuba. Son of wealthy landowner Ángel Castro and Lina Ruz. Born out of wedlock, later legitimized.
2. Upbringing: Raised in privilege on a sugar plantation, exposed to both wealth and rural inequalities.
3. Education: Attended elite Jesuit schools, including Colegio de Belén in Havana.
4. University of Havana (1945): Studied law, became politically active, joined reformist Partido Ortodoxo.
5. Skills: Known for charisma, sharp memory, and strong oratory, emerging as a student leader.
6. 1952 coup: Planned to run for Congress, but Batista’s coup cancelled elections and radicalized him toward armed resistance.

The Moncada Assault (1953) and the Emergence of the 26th of July Movement

1. Attack (26 July 1953): Castro led ~140 rebels against Moncada Barracks in Santiago to spark uprising.
2. Plan: Timed with carnival for surprise; aimed to seize weapons.
3. Failure: Poor organization and resistance led to defeat; many rebels killed or tortured, Castro brothers captured.
4. Trial speech: Castro’s “History will absolve me” outlined five reforms (land, education, industry, housing, fairness).
5. Amnesty (1955): Batista released Castro under pressure; attack seen as ideological birth of 26 July Movement.
6. Legacy: Group named after Moncada date, honoring José Martí’s centenary.
7. Exile: Castro regrouped in Mexico with Raúl and Che, preparing for Granma expedition (1956).

The Granma expedition (1956)

1. Departure (25 Nov 1956): Castro, Raúl, Che, Cienfuegos, and 79 rebels left Mexico on the overcrowded Granma yacht.
2. Problems: Overloaded, delayed by rough seas and poor navigation.
3. Landing (2 Dec 1956): Arrived late near Playa Las Coloradas; planned urban uprising in Santiago had already failed.
4. Ambush: Rebels landed in swamp, lost supplies, and were attacked at Alegría de Pío.
5. Outcome: Only 12 survived, retreating to Sierra Maestra to rebuild the movement.

The Sierra Maestra (1956-1959)

1. Sierra Maestra (1956–59): Rebel Army rebuilt strength while contrasting Batista’s brutality.
2. Ethical conduct: Paid peasants for supplies, promoted literacy, and provided medical aid, earning rural support.
3. Rural loyalty: Gained through promises of land reform and respectful treatment.
4. Radio Rebelde (1958): Countered censorship, spread revolutionary goals, and built collective identity with simple, emotional language.
5. Political education: Castro used informal talks to promote land reform, social justice, and anti-imperialism, framing the fight as a moral and national struggle.
6. Herbert Matthews interview (Feb 1957): Castro proved alive, staged strength, and used propaganda to exaggerate rebel numbers.
7. Impact: Portrayed as anti-Batista democrat (not communist), gaining U.S. sympathy and discrediting Batista.
8. Urban militancy: Sabotage of infrastructure (trains, mills, power stations) eroded Batista’s authority and spread fear.
9. Opposition unity: Pact of Caracas (1958) consolidated anti-Batista forces under Castro, isolating Batista politically.

The Role of Batista in Castro’s Rise to Power

1. The Batista regime’s harsh counterinsurgency strategy including mass arrests, torture, forced relocations, and the burning of crops alienated the rural population.
2. These indiscriminate actions were intended to deter support for the guerrillas but instead drove civilians to side with the rebels out of anger and despair.
3. 1958 election: Fraudulent, Batista backed Andrés Rivero Agüero; widespread ballot tampering and intimidation.
4. Impact: Discredited constitutional reform, boosted rebel legitimacy; U.S. refused to recognize Rivero.
5. Arms embargo (March 1958): U.S. cut military aid over Batista’s brutality, weakening and demoralizing the army.
6. Diplomatic failure: Batista rejected U.S. proposals for a caretaker transition, closing alternatives to Castro’s rise.

The Triumph of the Revolution

1. Late 1958 offensives: Castro sent Camilo Cienfuegos, Raúl Castro, and Che Guevara to lead campaigns across Cuba.
2. Santa Clara victory (Dec 1958): Guevara captured key transport hub, crippling Batista’s control.
3. Nationwide pressure: Rebels advanced on Santiago; sabotage escalated in Havana.
4. Collapse of regime: Politically isolated and losing military support, Batista fled on Jan 1, 1959.
5. Aftermath: Army stopped fighting; Castro’s forces entered Havana and formed a provisional government.