Background
- The 20th century in Latin America saw widespread inequality, dictatorship, and foreign influence, creating conditions for revolutionary and guerrilla movements.
- Guerrilla warfare refers to small, mobile groups using hit-and-run tactics against larger, conventional armies.
- The most famous example is the Cuban Revolution (1956–1959) led by Fidel Castro, Raúl Castro, and Che Guevara, which later inspired similar movements across Latin America.
- The success of the Cuban rebels turned Cuba into a model for revolutionary struggle against oppression and U.S. imperialism.
Origins of the Movement
- Social Inequality
- Widespread poverty and exploitation in rural Cuba under Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship.
- Political Corruption
- Batista canceled elections in 1952, ruled by force, and silenced opposition.
- U.S. Dominance
- The U.S. controlled much of Cuba’s sugar industry, railways, and utilities, leading to nationalist resentment.
- Failure of Peaceful Reform
- Traditional parties and student movements failed to bring change through elections or protests.
- Inspired by José Martí’s nationalism and Marxist ideas, young revolutionaries believed only armed struggle could achieve justice.
Definition
Dictatorship
A dictatorship is a form of government where a single person or a small group holds absolute power, with no constitutional limitations or effective political opposition.
Case study
The Rise of the Guerrilla Movement in Cuba (1953–1959)
Origins and Formation
- The July 26 Movement (M-26-7) was named after Fidel Castro’s failed attack on the Moncada Barracks in 1953.
- Though unsuccessful, the attack became a symbol of resistance against Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship.
- After imprisonment, Castro went into exile in Mexico, where he regrouped and recruited fighters, including Ernesto “Che” Guevara and Raúl Castro.
- Their goal was to overthrow Batista and create a just, independent Cuba free from corruption and U.S. control.
Guerrilla Warfare and Strategy
- In 1956, Castro and 80 rebels returned to Cuba aboard the Granma yacht, landing on the southern coast.
- Most were killed upon arrival, but a small group survived and took refuge in the Sierra Maestra Mountains.
- They used guerrilla tactics, local knowledge, and peasant support to fight Batista’s larger army.
- Propaganda was essential. Radio broadcasts like “Radio Rebelde” spread revolutionary messages across the island.
- The movement gained legitimacy by promising land reform, education, and justice for the poor.
Collapse of Batista’s Regime
- By 1958, the July 26 Movement had expanded its control across rural Cuba.
- Batista’s army grew increasingly corrupt, brutal, and demoralized, losing popular and international support.
- Urban uprisings and worker strikes further weakened his rule.
- On January 1, 1959, Batista fled Cuba; Castro’s forces entered Havana, marking the triumph of the revolution.
- The guerrilla victory replaced dictatorship with a new revolutionary government, led by Castro.
Exam technique
- Divide your essay into origins, rise, and consequences.
- Use specific examples (Moncada Barracks, Sierra Maestra, U.S. embargo) for clarity.
- Link internal causes (inequality, corruption) with Cold War context and U.S. reaction.
Common Mistake
- Treating guerrilla movements as only military, without explaining social and political causes.
- Ignoring the role of popular support from peasants and students.
- Forgetting that consequences included both reforms and repression.
- Mixing Cuba’s internal revolution with later guerrilla movements inspired by it.
Theory of Knowledge
- Knowledge and Ethics: Can violence ever be justified to achieve justice?
- The Cuban guerrilla movement raises moral questions about revolution — whether ending dictatorship through force can justify the loss of lives and freedom.
Self review
- Examine the origins and development of one guerrilla movement in Latin America.
- Assess the importance of social and economic factors in the rise of guerrilla movements.
- To what extent did guerrilla movements bring lasting political change to Latin America?
- Evaluate the regional and international consequences of the Cuban Revolution.
