Cuba: The Making of a Revolution

1898: Cuba becomes a protectorate of the US
1901: Platt Amendment authorizes US to intervene in Cuban affairs [it was abrogated in 1934]
In the following decades, US came to dominate Cuban economy

The Machado era

Gerardo Machado, 1925-33

Effects of Great depression

The Batistian period

Sergeant Fulgencio Batista became the most influential political figure in Cuba after 1934

On March 10, 1952, Batista led a coup d’etat against President Carlos Prío

Main features of the Batistian period:

Mediated sovereignty
Sugar-centered development
Uneven modernization and social inequalities
Crisis of political authority

The rise of Fidel Castro and the Cuban revolution

Who was Fidel Castro?

26th of July, 1953: The Moncada Assault

Castro is taken prisoner; was released in 1955. Went into exile to Mexico

August 1955: The 26th of July Movement was founded in Mexico

Political platform: democracy, pluralism, anti-imperialism, nationalism.

December 1956: Granma expedition arrived in Cuba

Resistance in the cities (the “llano”)

January 1st, 1959: Batista fled the country. Rebels occupied Havana