Although Latin American republics carried a reputation for political instability after independence, the region took center stage during the Cold War era starting in the 1950s as a new round of revolutionary activity emerged that built on social and economic problems similar to those in Mexico earlier on. The lone successful change came in 1959 with Fidel Castro in Cuba, but his example then spurred other guerilla movements that, particularly in Central America, have continued to the present day. Later on it also helped inspire outright revolution in Nicaragua.Although he became a symbol of communist insurrection, Castro viewed his revolution as authentically Cuban. Looking back into Cuba’s past, Castro saw a deformed nation. At each moment when a true nationalist sought political power, either he was blocked by foreign intervention, or he betrayed the cause. José Marti, the intellectual spirit of the Cuban independence movement against Spain in 1895, was an authentic Cuban hero. Yet his political program was never realized because of the intervention of the United States during the Spanish-American War of 1898. From that year until Castro seized power in 1959, the United States dominated Cuba politically and economically, despite Cuba’s nominal independence. Presidents of Cuba, such as Batista, talked of reform but used their office to become wealthy, especially by diverting U.S. loans into their own pockets. Meanwhile, the majority of the Cuban people—the poor—were neglected. For Cuba to take control of its destiny, Castro saw the necessity of revolution. After the failure of his first military operation on July 26, 1953, Castro—while in jail—described why the revolution was being fought and what he would do once in power. In the document I would like you to read (you can read it by clicking here), one can see that the spirit that animates his program is the same spirit that guides revolutionaries in other parts of Latin America.
After reading the document, I would like you to think about and discuss the following: How radical were Castro’s goals? What were the political implications of implementing them? Who would have been harmed by their implementation? Who would have benefitted? How do they compare with Zapata's goals in Mexico? Your thoughts…
5 comments:
In Castros goals, he didn't care about the risks to overcome injustice and fight for the rights oh his people in Particular the peasent class.political implications of stoping goverment fraud of takeing money in to their own pockets. Thousands of cuban peasents without work, money, and most important land, sames as what zapata was fighting for in mexico.
His solution to the problems in Cuba seems logical. But did he actually fulfilled these wants from poor civilians of Cuba?
Castro seems to have very resonable and healthy, good goals for the opressed people. All the farmers, poor working class, children, etc. would benefit from his reforms. This was similar to Mexico's revoultion in it's wanting to be a republic and have a less poverished people.
He seems to have the lower class in mind when thinking about his reforms. They seem to benifit the poorer, less educated class of Cuba. I like his ideas but so far it doesn't seem like he's actually put them to use. I guess that'll have to wait for class tomorrow.
i'll just go ahead and say it right now miss fritz, he doesn't bring real change, and cuba is in HORRIBLE shape in 2009... i have made very good friends with a young couple from cuba that are about my age that just immigrated here from cuba about 8 months ago... their stories are ultimately saddening to my heart, i'm so glad for them that they're here...
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