Revision:Cuba before the rise of Castro

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Cuba to the 1890s

Cuba under Spanish rule

• Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492
• Served primarily as stop over for the Spanish treasure fleet
  • Cuba remained a reject due to its lack of precious metals and a large indigenous population to exploit.
• It had few slaves (due to lack of coloured inhabitants. 40000=1/10 that of Haiti)

Economic and social change

• 2nd half of 18th century brought massive change.
  • Spurred by short British occupation of Havana (1762)
  • Stimulated by the independence of the USA (1783)

--> Commercial awakening.

• Rose to major sugar producer and slave imported
  • Haitian Revolution (1790’s) had ruined its sugar production
  • 600,000 African slaves arrived in Cuba, (population rose from 171,620 to 1,396,530)
• Rise in economic and social status brought influx of new technology and capital
• Economic boom delayed rebellion against Spanish rule that swept America.
  • Stayed loyal to Spain during Spanish-American wars of independence
• Discontent:
• Grew among slaves and free blacks.
• Due to increasingly harsh plantation system
  • Major slave rebellions (led by free blacks) erupted 1810, 1812, 1844
• Also developed in the rows of the wealthy landowners:
  • Due to the arbitrary ways of the corrupt Spanish officialdom
• The Colony became increasingly dissatisfied with repressive Spanish rule
  • Became less dependent on mother country
    • By 1776:
      • 1/3 import from British colonies
      • exports to British colonies
      • After American independence Cuba relied more upon them as a market. Growing economic ties with USA
• Increasing dissatisfaction heightened by developing national and class-consciousness, especially in the elite.
  • A weak Spanish government and beginning economic repression (1860’s) heightened these feelings:
    • Rejection of reform proposals by the landowner elite.

--> Peaked in the declaration of independence on October 10th 1968 in the small town of Yara and initiated a ten year struggle:

The Ten Years’ War

• Long lasting and devastating guerrilla struggle which ended in 1878 with Cuban’s accepted peace treaty that allowed concessions but withheld independence (The Pact of Zanjón)
  • The Spanish crown had sent 10x as many troops as it sent to all of S. America (1810-1828) desperate to retain the last colony in the new world
  • Some rebel leaders did not agree to it:
    • It did not fulfil main goals of independence:
      • Independence
      • Abolition of Slavery
    • Black revolutionary Antonio Maceo, also "Bronze Titan" for example.
  • The Spanish Crown did abolish slavery in 1880 (finalised 1888):
    • Hoped to win the support of the Blacks
    • Removed the last remaining factor determining loyalty of the landowners to the Spanish Crown.
• With the gradual evaporation of Spanish and landowning interests on the Cuban economy and society the USA began to become increasingly important:
  • Many North Americans came to Cuba to control their investments
  • The McKinley Tariff Act of 1890 abolished import duties on raw sugar and molasses and thereby greatly increased American influence in Cuba:
    • By 1896:
      • US interests had invested $50 million into Cuba
      • US interests controlled the sugar industry
    • By 1890:
      • 1/10 of all products imported into the US came from Cuba
      • 87% of all Cuban exports went to the USA
  • This newly found American-Cuban relationship also had its negative sides: In brought with it an increasing concentration on sugar production.

Independence and the Spanish-Cuban—American War

The Revolutionary Movement

• During the 1890’s the revolutionary movement revived, due to worldwide depression, which struck Cuba especially hard:
• "Spiritual, intellectual and organizational" leader: José Martí (1853 — 1895)
  • Arrested 1869 for supporting 1986 revolt:
    • Sentenced to six years of hard labour
    • Sent into exile in 1971
  • Lived in New York 1880 — 1894
  • Wanted to unite Cuban émigré revolutionary groups:
    • Founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party (El Partido Revolucionario Cubano)
      • Aim: Complete Cuban independence & aiding Puerto Rican independence
  • Recruited military veterans of 1868 as Máximo Gómez or Antonio Maceo:
    • To prepare invasion
  • Martí landed on the Cuba beach with group of insurgence in April 1895
  • Killed Mai 1985 in a skirmish with Spanish patrol.
• However, there was some success after Martí’s death — with guerrilla tactics.
• A new Spanish commander, General Veleriando Weyer way sent to Cuba
  • Set up harsh counter-rebellion measures (free-fire zones, Concentration Camps)
    • Measures were counter-productive. Intensified popular hatred.
    • The failure of the measures and growing pressure from the US led:

--> Spain made the promise of autonomy to Cuba in late 1897!

Involvement by the United States

• The US became increasingly anxious about loss of their influence as struggle continued and that the situation was getting out of control:
  • Thought that the rebels might take control, who would be unmanageable
  • The U.S.S Maine blew up in Havana Harbour February 15th, 1898
  • There was great coverage of the Cuban struggle in the American press:
    • Especially the working class supported it.
• Led McKinley to demand that Spain may:
  • Terminate the concentration camp policy
  • Offer an armistice to the rebels
  • Accept the United States as a final arbiter between the parties.
• Spain waited with reply:
  • Congress authorised military intervention
    • Against the wish of Cuban revolutionary leaders, how sought:
      • An American acceptance of an revolutionary Cuba
      • The right to purchase weapons
• Short and nasty war (Spanish American War started)followed
  • American military actions were ill prepares
  • American military relegated Cuban soldiers to cleaning up
  • Spanish could have won:
    • Had already given up at beginning
    • Had de-motivated soldiers
    • Tried to minimize losses
  • American military picked fruits from Cuban Guerrilla fighting which had lasted three years
  • Cuban leaders were excluded from councils and peace negotiations
    • Foreshadowed American-Cuban relationship.

The First United States Occupation (1899-1902)

• The Occupation had three major goals:
  • First: The US wanted to make Cuba into a self-governing protectorate
    • Achieve political stability without the burdens and costs of colonial occupation
    • The Cuban army stayed submissive to American take-over
      • Leaders of rebels were tired, old or killed in war
      • US bought of Cuba by offering to buy weapons
      • Offered key-rebels well paid positions
  • Second: The US wanted to repair war-damage
    • Created good sanitation system (General Leonard Wood, app. 1899)
      • Wood ignored the revolutionaries in favour of conservative planters, who were opposed to independence.
      • Defeated yellow fever
    • Created educational system
      • Superior to Spanish system, based on American one

--> All paid for by the Cuban treasury, even the expenses of American army.

• • First elections, for a convention, took place in June 1899 (met Nov.):
    • American pressure forced to include ‘Platt-amendment’:
      • Limited ability to conduct foreign policy & borrow aboard
      • Gave US right to maintain naval base
      • Gave US right to intervene with dodgy ends
    • End product accepted only after much discussion
  • Third goal: To absorb Cuban in to the American economic sphere:
    • Platt Amendment allowed favourable trade terms to American business men in Cuba
    • A second agreement in 1903 completed American economic domination (20% of Sugar tariffs to America, reduced tariffs from US)

The Politics of Corruption, 1902-1953

Instability and Intervention, 1902-1924

• Tomás Estrada Palma first elected Cuban president in 1901
  • Took office May 1902 as Americans left
  • Government scandal ridden:
    • Elections to Congress were fraudulent and violent (1904)
    • 1905, Estrada was revolted with fraud system and no opposition
    • Liberal Party, under José Miguel Gómez, staged revolt, summer 1906
      • Estrada, unable to control it called for American intervention
• American intervention; occurred under William Howard Taft
  • Charles Magoon, a Minnesotan judge was appointed head of provisional American government
  • Power was divided between parties
    • Institutionalised corruption
  • Standing army way created
  • National Consciousness and rebellion against foreign control decreased
    • Due to corruption, which elite wanted to keep
  • Liberal Party won presidential elections 1908
    • US withdrew April 1st 1909
    • Re-established lottery, legalised cockfighting
• Conservatives now under General Menocal won 1912 &1916
  • Continued corruption: amassed $40m in two terms
  • Closely linked to American Economic interest, after having managed American sugar farm
  • Liberals rebelled again, against Menocal’s re-election, in 1917
    • US wouldn’t permit disturbance and intervened
      • Remained until 1923
• Liberal Alfredo Zayas won presidency 1920
  • Crash of sugar prices brought economic problems
• US General Enoc Crowder sent to Cuba as special representative Jan. 1921
  • In effect ruled Cuba until 1923
  • Became Ambassador after that
• American in tight control
  • Every time, violence was threatened US intervened and restored order
    • During minor black rebellion 1912 in Oriente Province
    • As the losers of presidential elections staged or threatened rebellions four times from 1902 to 1924 (1908, 1917, 1919, 1921)

--> Tried to prevent property loss

• Cuban nationalism revived in last two years of Zayas administration
  • Consequence of Cuban sugar
    • This was due to foreign domination and monoculture
  • Students started by attacking inept and corrupt professors
  • Demonstrated for university reforms in 1922

--> Students henceforth played important role in Cuban politics

Machado 1925 — 1933

• Gerardo Machado y Morales, nationalist candidate for the liberal party became president in 1924
  • Although nationalistic close ties with America as he had worked for them
  • Began term well:
    • Ambitious program of public works
    • Attempted to institute program to control sugar prices (especially for small and medium sized companies
    • Encouraged agricultural diversity by imposing high taxes on rice etc.
    • Merit system for public bureaucracy
    • Established new technical and commercial schools
    • Wanted to reform prostitute laws in Havana

--> Very popular, hardly faced opposition for two years

• However, he was quite tyrannical
  • Political assassinations increased dramatically
  • Wave of strikes in 1925 put down brutally by police force
  • Most prominent Cuban Communist murdered in Mexican exile (1929)
  • Secured re-election by outlawing main rival, Carlos Mendieta (1928)

--> Ruled with iron grip over Cuba until 1930

• Increasing harsh economic situation was underlined by political unrest
  • General strike failed May 1930
  • Killing of student leader was followed by large demonstrations (Sept)
    • Firing of teachers and closing of University was answer
  • Mendita led last and unsuccessful attempt of old politicians to recapture power (August 31)
  • New, moderate alternative, the ABC, to the radical student unions developed for young middle class and intellectuals
  • This was answered by tighter censorship and increased terror from his secret police, Porra
• USA became increasingly worried with terror threatening US institutions
  • April 1933, Pres. Roosevelt dispatched Sumner Wells to negotiate
    • Unsuccessful negotiations due to
      • Disunited opposition not being able to agree on pos.
      • Machado not wanting to compromise
• Bus driver’s strike developed into general strike that paralysed the city
  • Machado massacred several demonstrators
  • Machado lost the support of Wells and the army

-->Machado resigned on August 12th and fled to exile

The Revolution of 1933

• Provisional government under Carlos Manuel de Cespedes could not stop escalating violence
  • Group of army sergeants and the Student Directory overthrew government on September 4th 1933.
    • Fulgencio Batista was a part of this overthrow.
• The new government:
  • New junta had no political backing & views differed in regime.
    • Army wanted to defend new one power
    • Students sought genuine reforms
  • Power was handed over to Dr. Ramón Grau San Martín
    • Well known physician and opponent of Machado
    • Antonio Guiteras Holmes, student leader, & Batista also part of gov.
  • The government produced flurry of decrees:
    • Deleted the Platt Amendment
    • Eight —hour working day for labour
    • Established a labour department
    • Set an end to import of cheap labour from other Caribbean islands
    • Increased availability of higher education
    • Redistribution of land to peasants
    • Give women the vote
    • Eliminate usury (wucher)
  • The government was however caught in a dilemma:
    • The left was dissatisfied due to lack of scope and depth of reforms
    • The Right opposed all reforms
    • Alienated Americans by suspending loan repayments and nationalising two American mills
      • USA government did not recognize Grau government
  • The coalition disintegrated:
    • ABC thought Grau to radical and did not cooperate with him
    • Lost support of the extreme members of Student Directory
    • Communists attacked him as "petty bourgeois"
  • Wells persistently falsified documents and misrepresented the prov. Gov.
    • Allied with Batista
    • Was withdrawn Nov. 1933
  • The new US ambassador to Cuba was Jefferson Caffery:
    • formed new government with Batista as economic and politcal situation worsened
  • Grau was forced out of office in January 1934 and fled to exile
    • Was replaced by Carlos Mendieta

The Era of Batista, 1934-44

• Fulgencio Batista y Zaldivar led Cuba first through puppet presidents (1934-40) and as president (1940-44)
  • Sergeant-stenographer
  • Son of a Sugar worker
• Batista was alienated from ‘respectable’ elements of the upper and middle classes
• However, he was extremely popular with mass of people
  • Presided over mild reform program
    • Some effort to redistribute land
    • Moved openly leftward in 1937 and supported labour unions and communists

The Auténtico Interlude 1944-1952

• Batista allowed election for constituent assembly that Grau (Auténtico party) won
  • Constitution was liberal with protection of labour and limitations on the right of property
• Batista won the presidential elections in 1940
  • He observed law that a president should not succeed himself
    • Grau defeated Batista’s candidate.
• Grau became president in 1944
  • Although some reforms were initiated his period in government was dominated by violence and corruption
  • Heavily criticised, especially from Eddie Chibás from 1947
• Eddie Chibás was charismatic populist leader
  • Former Auténticos member
  • Disillusioned and formed his own Cuban Peoples (Ortodoxo) party
    • Featured mild program of social reforms

--> Became serious threat to Auténtico party

• Eddie Chibás opposed Auténtico candidate Carlos Prío Socorrás in 1948 election.

• Prío won the election as he had the advantage of thriving economy and control of electorate system
  • The corruption and violence continued
  • High sugar prices concealed mismanagement
• Chíbas was leading candidate for ‘52 election as Batista returned from retirement
  • Chíbas committed suicide on a radio programme in August 1951
    • To awake Cuban public to extent of political corruption
• Batista staged coup with help of low officers before the election, in March 1952
  • Cuban public, already disillusioned, did not protest

The Return of Batista as Dictator, 1952-1959

• Like contemporaries he found it more difficult second time than first.
• New, incorrupt type of revolutionaries presented threat.
  • Several groups, including the Auténticos, were plotting
• Fidel Castro staged first, unsuccessful coup on July 26th 1953:
  • He, his troops and students attacked Moncada army barracks

Castro failed and was imprisoned

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