Cuban Revolution Essay, Research Paper
The revolution in Cuba was not a result of economic deprivation, nor because
of high expectations in the economy, it was the political factors and
expectations which evoked the civilians to revolt. The Cuban economy was
moving forward at the time before the rebellion but the dominant influence of
the sugar industry made the economy “assymetrical” and encouraged no “dynamic
industrial sector”. Because of the dependance on sugar, the unemployment rate
ranged between 16 and 20% rising and falling with sugar prices, ebbing and
flowing as the season changed. The rural wage levels were incredibly unsteady
and unpredictable; the standard of living was low. Dependance on the sugar
industry did not retard the economy of Cuba, just the wages of its workers.
It was the leaders of the nation who reaped profit from this dependance, and it
was the leaders of the nation who insisted on keeping the nation the way it
was. By the mid 1950’s, however, the middle class had expanded to 33% of the
population. Democracy, as we know it, broke down: the large middle class did
not assert democratic leadership, there was no social militancy in the working
class ranks, and the people found order preferable to disarray. Batista could
no longer legitimize his regime . Failure in the elections of 1954 showed the
discontent of the people, and failure in communications with the United States
illustrated its discontent. Finally, opposing forces confronted Batista’s
power: there were street protests, confrontations with the police, assault,
sabotage, and urban violence. This began the revolution in Cuba.
America, with its stubborn ideas and misjudgements of character, forced
Castro to turn to the Soviets for alliance and aid. When Castro visited the
United States in April, 1959, there were different respected individuals
holding different views of him and his future actions. Nixon believed Castro
to be naive, some others thought him a welcome change from Batista, still
others called him an “immature but effective leader, without a well formed view
of how to lead a revolutionary movement and not overly concerned with abstract
of philosophical matters” (p. 55). Why, then, did the United States impress
nit-picky ideals like “there should not be communists in the Army or in labor”,
or “Cuba’s approach to the Batista trials is totally unacceptable, too casual,
too nonchalant” on this “forming” leader? Castro was like an inexperienced
murderer with a gun in his hand: any rustle in the background could set off
his nervous trigger finger causing death, destruction, and liaisons with the
U.S.S.R. When America expressed dislike of the trial procedures Castro was
holding, of course he (Castro) would try to prove he was able to run his
country by himself and snub the U.S. ambassador. The United States had so
much invested in Cuba that it was stupid to think that Cuba could not retaliate
when the U.S. cut off sugar imports. America was just too sure of itself
thinking it could get away with criticism and acts like that when an “immature”
leader was in control. Cuba was not totally dependant on the United States and
proved itself so. If Cuba could not find help and support in America, it
sought elsewhere for those who smiled on its actions and ideals. Castro found
friends in Russia; the United States made this so.
Succeeding and failing have alot to do with judgement. For the United
States, the revolution was a failure because the result was a communist nation
in the Carribean. For the revolutionarie s in Cuba, the revolution
accomplished many of their goals: capitalism was abolished and socialism
installed eroding class distinctions and eliminating private property, the
working conditions improved, women’s rights improved, labor unions were
recogniz ed, the military became more modern and advanced, political order was
restored, the status of the country improved from dependant to independant, and
many more. For the people of Cuba, therefore, the revolution can be viewed as
a success (if communism ca n be seen as acceptable), but for America, the
result was a failure.
Latin America is one of the poorest and underdeveloped sections of the world.
Because of this fact, it is difficult for its nations to compete and thrive in
the world market with modern nations as they struggle to industrialize and
improve their status. Capitalism, as a basis for an economy, means that each
man has to struggle to make a living, that each man may fail and starve, and
that each man may get a lucky break and thrive. We saw this struggle of the
lower classes clearly in Mexico during their industrialization. With
communism, a man may not become of greater status than he is born with, but
then again that status is no better than his neighbors; this man is, however,
guaranteed a certain amount of land, for example, and a certain home and a
certain salary. To the poor, those threatened by the extreme of starving, this
idea is very appitizing. To a nation undergoing change, where there are many
poor and these poor co uld get hurt by the industrialization, communism is
appealing in every way.
The United States has to learn that it is not in total control. We cannot go
around condemning countries which hold procedures different than our own. The
developing count ries in Latin America must struggle through economically and
politically hard times to reach their own maturity; this means experimentating
with different styles of government to find out which is best for the specific
country. If America wants democrac y to reign over the Carribean, Central, and
South America, it should make the idea appealing, show these countries that it
can work. America should support strong democratic leaders, encourage
capitalistic moves they (the countries) make, and advise the nations when they
need or ask for it. Mexico is an example where democracy worked, in Cuba, it
didn’t. Force will get us nowhere in preventing the spread of communism,
either will cutting off relations with countries who are still debating U. S.
A. or U . S. S. R. America has too many interests in Latin America to
force it into alliance with the Soviets. If America is supportive and acts
like a friend–not a dictator–these nations will develop naturally and see
that democracy is the best for them.
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