The Cuban Revolution of 1959
A Revolution is a fundamental change in the established structure of society. This change
can be economic, social or political, ideological.
(a) An Economic Revolution is rapid change in the economic system of a society. For
example, in Cuba, after the political revolution Fidel Castro nationalized all the industries in
the country. Cuba went from a mostly ‘free market economy’ to a government operated
economy. The Sugar Revolution in most of the Caribbean islands and the Mahogany
Revolution in British Honduras/Belize are examples of economic revolution.
(b)A Social Revolution occurs when there is a conflict between the different social classes in
the society with regards to different access to the resources of the country. Where inequality
exist in a country, the likelihood that there would be discontent and anger directed at the
elites. This would lead to an uprising of the working class.
(c) A Political Revolution is an upheaval in which a government is replaced/forcibly
removed from office by a group of persons. This would be followed by the implementation of
a new power structure. The government may not be completely removed/overthrown, but
profound changes or modifications have been made in the new government. (French
Revolution, American Revolution, Haitian Revolution, Cuban Revolution)
An Ideological Revolution is a change in thinking of a group of persons. It may give rise to
the enforcement of a new social order if it is adopted by government. This kind of a situation
may cause social conflict, repression (the use of force to control a group or a society) and a
lack of integration in society. An example would be that experimental religions may be
banned or lead to decadence (low moral behaviour). Minority political ideologies may
increase their strength and hold over society with the use of subversive activities.
An ideology is a set of beliefs or ideas.
The Cuban Revolution of 1959
The history of Cuba is characterized by dependence on THREE main outside powers. They
are Spain, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
From the 15th century, Cuba was a colony of Spain. By the end of the 1800s, Spain has lost
all of its New World colonies except Cuba and Puerto Rico. Many Cubans did not wish to be
under Spanish rule, so they fled to Florida and other parts of the United States. At the same
time, however, they remained loyal to Cuba. It remained like that until the Spanish American
War of 1898, when Cuba was occupied by the United States and gained nominal
independence as a de facto United States protectorate in 1902.
During the 18th century Cuba depended increasingly on the sugarcane crops and on the
expansive, slave-based plantations that produced it. The enslaved population grew as more
lands were utilized for sugarcane production. By the 19th century, Cuba imported more than
600,000 Africans, most of whom arrived after 1820.
During the period 1838–80 the Cuban sugar industry became the most mechanized in the
world. By 1850 the sugar industry accounted for four-fifths of all exports, and in 1860 Cuba
produced nearly one-third of the world’s sugar. The phenomenal growth of the sugar industry
propelled a new class of wealthy plantation owners to political prominence.
The demands of sugar—labourers, capital, machines, technical skills, and markets—strained
ethnic relations, aggravated political and economic differences between metropolis-Spain and
Cuba.
This laid the foundation for the break with Spain in 1898. The Spanish colonial
administration was corrupt, inefficient, and inflexible. People in the USA especially from the
Southern Slave States showed a lively and growing interest in Cuba and as such supported a
series of expeditions. led by Narciso López (1849–51) and others. (The red, white, and blue
battle flag that López flew was designated the Cuban national flag in 1902.) After the 1860s
the United States tried many times to purchase the island.
Spain precipitated the first war of Cuban independence, known as the Ten Years’ War 1868-
78. The reason being that Spain increased taxes on Cubans and refusing to grant Cuba
political autonomy.
The political and economic crisis grew more severe. The Spanish government failed to carry
out most of the promised reforms it had promised, although it allowed Cubans to send
representatives to the Parliament in Spain. Annual trade between Cuba and the United States
had reached about $100 million, but in 1894 Spain cancelled a Cuban-U.S. trade pact. In
addition, the central government imposed more taxes and trade restrictions on Cubans.
Cubans increasingly resisted colonial authority.
The influence of the USA in Cuban economy and society became more pronounced by 1898.
In this particular year, it was the culmination of a long battle between Cuba and Spain, where
Cuba was desirous of getting its political independence from Spain, and Spain was resisting
such. The USA had a vested interest in Cuba because of the economic investment in the
various parts of the Cuban economy over the years.
While the civil war was going on between Cuba and Spain, the US sent a warship called the
USS Maine to dock in the Havana port. Unfortunately, there was an explosion on board the
USS Maine and Spain was blamed for the explosion. The USA used the opportunity to enter
the war on the side of the Cubans. A truce was called and the Treaty of Paris was signed to
legitimately end the war.
Cuba’s closeness to the Mainland and the Florida Straits meant that the USA would not
tolerate any kind of situation which could be a potential danger to the security of the US.
With immediate effect, Cuba and Puerto Rico, the last two remaining countries colonized by
Spain were taken over by the USA and became a Protectorate. Cuba in particular was seen
more of a threat to US national security than Puerto Rico. From 1898 until 1959, the
relationship between Havana and Washington was one of exploitation and manipulation on
the part of the United States against the Cuban people.
A protectorate refers to the protection and control of a powerful country over a weak country.
The USA introduced the Platt Amendment in 1902 which was an alteration of the Cuban
Constitution giving the USA the right to intervene in Cuban affairs as they see fit. The USA
argued that even though Cuba is “independent”, it had the right to use political power to
protect her economic interests in Cuba. This made the Americans believed that it was safe to
invest in the Cuban economy. Investors from the United States invested large sums of money
in the sugar, mining, tobacco, manufacturing industries as well as in other parts of the Cuban
economy.
By the 1920s the American investment increased in areas of tourism, banking and agriculture.
Cuba became an attractive tourist resort during this period with its night cubs, hotels, casinos,
cinemas and other tourist attraction. Hundreds of tourists flocked to the island to enjoy the
pleasure that did not exist in their own country. American cultural practices including their
music, dance and film began to invade Cuban society.
In addition to that, the US market became a guaranteed place to which the Cuban planters
could sell their produce. The US banking system was also willing to give loans to Cubans
during this period. This relationship caused grave consternation among the Cuban people
who believed that the Americans were too dominant in their economy and their country’s
affairs overall. The US had significant control over the utility companies, the naval bases,
land, transportation, and exports. The Cubans were not benefitting significantly from the
large sums of money being generated from all the investments being poured into the country.
Havana was over-run with brothels, casinos and gangsters, high rollers in zoot suits, thus
transforming the city into a personal playground. At the same time, most of the country was
mirrored in poverty and more than half the population undernourished.
Unemployment, low wages, deteriorating living standards, very little infrastructural
development were just a few of the manifestations of the workings of the capitalist system
which existed in Cuba. This caused growing uncertainty about the economic and political
future of Cuba as the citizens made known their discontent of the situation. This created some
degree of instability and, therefore, an end must be brought to the situation.
By 1934 with rising nationalism and widespread criticism of the Platt Amendment, most of it
was repealed when the Cuban American Treaty of Relations of 1934 between the USA and
Cuba was negotiated as part of President Roosevelt’s “Good Neighbour Policy” towards
Latin America. This was a policy of non-intervention and non-interference into the domestic
affairs of Latin America of which Cuba was a part. This gesture reinforced the idea that the
USA would be a “Good Neighbour” and would respect any reciprocal exchanges with Latin
America. The USA had expected that this rebranding of its mage in this new policy
arrangement would have created new economic opportunities in the form of reciprocal trade
arrangements (both countries benefit from the trading agreements or terms). However, many
Latin American countries including Cuba were not convinced.
Fulgencio Batista came to power in 1952 by a coup d’etat and then again legitimately in
1955. While he implemented some progressive policies, there were some that were
repressive. He tried to silence political opponents, suppress free speech and turned the
country into a police state which was aimed at destroying civil liberties.
Many anti-Batista militant groups organized a campaign of harassment and sabotage in the
various provinces in the country. However, the main group was the 26th of July Movement
led by the charismatic leader, Fidel Castro. This is considered to be one of the most important
organizations among the Cuban Revolution.
By January 1st 1959, the guerrilla forces of the 26th of July Movement led by Fidel Castro
successfully toppled the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. Despite the uneasiness from the
USA, Fidel Castro defended the communist ideology he implemented. Castro began to
reorganize the Cuban society in a manner that sought to dismantle the glaring inequalities that
existed in the pre-Castro era.
The USA immediate reaction was the:
(a) Imposition of an economic embargo.
(b) Severing of diplomatic relations with the island.
Cuba had to find alternate markets to sell its sugar. The countries that filled the void were
USSR, China and some countries in Easter Europe.
Cuba’s close relation with the USSR was seen as a security threat to the USA. Through
covert and over manipulations, persons from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) along
with exiled Cubans who left the island when Fidel took over, attempted an invasion known as
the Bay of Pigs Invasion on the island. It was unsuccessful. This strained relation continued
and was followed up with the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1962 the Soviet Union began to
secretly install missiles in Cuba to launch attacks on U.S. cities. The confrontation that
followed, brought the two superpowers to the brink of war before an agreement was reached
to withdraw the missiles.
Domestic Outcome of the Cuban Revolution
During the first decade after the Cuban Revolution, various reforms in Cuban society tackled
racial integration, women's equality, communications, healthcare, housing, and education. By
the end of the 1960s, all Cuban children received at least some education, compared with
fewer than half before 1959.
Social Reforms in Cuba
1. The illiteracy rate in Cuba fell from 25% to 4%. Castro built new schools throughout Cuba.
He banned private schools. Education also became free up to university level.
2. In 1959, most doctors and hospitals were located in Havana, but after 1959, 1/4 of Cuba's
6.000 doctors left the island and the US cut off essential medicines. To address this problem,
Castro built polyclinics throughout the island and these replaced private doctors. Healthcare
became free to all Cubans.
3.To improve the diet of Cubans, basic foods were sold at very low prices (rice, bean, milk,
meat, sugar). Families received rations books which allowed them to get specific quantities
of food at the reduced cost.
4. Females were given equal access to education and near equal access to work.
5. Black Cubans were given access to all levels of education and professions. Segregation in
public spaces were also removed.
NB. Fidel Castro was successful in reversing American control of Cuba's economy and
politics. The Cuban government took full control of all of Cuba's major assets
Regional Outcome of the Cuban Revolution
Revolutionary Cuba offered an alternative to countries in the region that were so dependent
on capitalist societies. For example, Cuban doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals
have been sharing their expertise at hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities in
Jamaica. This has been part of a cooperation between Cuba and Jamaica under the leadership
of the late Fidel Castro and Michael Manley respectively. Cuban doctors, nurses and other
healthcare professionals have been sharing their expertise at hospitals, clinics and other
healthcare facilities in Jamaica. This has been part of cooperation between Cuba and Jamaica.
This arrangement was started with Heads of State Fidel Castro and Michael Manley
respectively.
Free training of Jamaican medical practitioners in Cuba has been one of Cuba’s greatest
contributions to Jamaica and the Caribbean. In the case of Jamaica, the Cuban people
provided free of cost university education in Cuba to over 300 plus Jamaicans. Many of those
students could not get or afford that opportunity in Jamaica and would have been doctors or
other professionals today. Education under the Jamaica/Cuba Bilateral Scholarship
Programme has provided many of Jamaica’s best medical practitioners.
The Cuban government shared important engineering, medical and agricultural technologies
with Jamaica. This cooperation included Cuban engineers visiting Jamaica to train and assist
with implementation. Four (4) educational institutions were donated by Fidel Castro and the
people of Cuba to Jamaica. The institutions are as follows:
A. GC Foster College of Physical Education.
B. Jose Marti High School.
C. Garvey Maceo High School.
D. Montpelier School (now the Fidel Castro Campus of the Anchovy High School.
The kindred relationship and the acts of kindness displayed by Cuba to Jamaica has continued
long after the passing of both Michael Manley and Fidel Castro. This will be forever a part of
their legacy.
Over in Guyana, there was an air service agree between the two countries (Guyana and
Cuba) which was signed in 1973. There was also a Cuban scholarship which allowed
Guyanese students to pursue degrees in Medicine, Mechanical Engineering, Computer
Engineering, Culture, Sports, Agriculture, Architecture among other areas of study under the
joint auspices of the Guyana and Cuban government.
Cubans were generous to Grenada with their assistance as well. Cuba contributed about 500
airport workers, advisors on every aspect of society, culture and technology. Cuban doctors
treated about half of the Grenadian population and trained Grenadians to become doctors.
Point Salines Airport was built by Cubans. It has now been renamed the Maurice Bishop
International Airport.
By far, the biggest Cuban influence across the rest of the Caribbean has not been a political,
but a pragmatic economic one. Hundreds of Cuban doctors are to be found practising in
English-speaking Caribbean countries. Many Caribbean politicians and professionals seeking
state-of-the- art health treatment go to Cuba. Basic health indicators in Cuba are comparable
to the achievements of the welfare systems in Western Europe. In 2003, more than 5,000
foreign patients travelled to Cuba for a wide range of treatments including eye-surgery,
neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease and orthopaedics.
Barbados & Cuba sign a Health Cooperation Agreement
Article by
Barbados Today
Published on
May 20, 2022
A Health Cooperation Agreement for additional medical personnel has been signed between
Barbados’ Ministry of Health and Wellness and Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health. As part of
its continued cooperation with Cuba in the area of health, Barbados is set to receive 69 Cuban
medical professionals and a Head of Brigade, who will complement the staffing needs of the
island. The salaried professionals will help fill the critical shortages in the healthcare system.
Nurses, as well as medical professionals in specialist areas, such as laboratory technologists
and doctors trained in intensive care medicine, will be among the medical personnel.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, The Most Honourable Janet
Phillips, signed the agreement on behalf of Barbados, while Ambassador Sergio Jorge
Pastrana signed on behalf of the Republic of Cuba.
Following the signing, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Culloden Road,
St. Michael, Permanent Secretary Phillips thanked the Cuban Government for its assistance
with medical personnel and stated:
“The Ministry of Health and Wellness is pleased to once again partner with the Government
of Cuba in an opportunity to provide resources for our health care sector.
“During this COVID-19 pandemic, the availability of adequate human resources in the health
care sector is of the utmost importance and we in Barbados are very much appreciative of the
support that we have gained through this partnership. We look forward to further
collaboration with the Cuban Government in the near future.”
Meanwhile, Ambassador Pastrana noted: “This is a more permanent relationship in terms of
health cooperation between both Cuba and Barbados, and essentially is part of the long
tradition of cooperation that exists between our two countries, which will be celebrating 50
years of relations later this year. And it’s a symbol of the continuation of the efforts of
cooperation between Caribbean countries that share so much history together.”
Despite its own internal challenges, Cuba has assisted Barbados and other CARICOM
Member States to address the initial public health challenges posed by the pandemic, through
the dispatch of health personnel.
Diplomatic relations between Barbados and the Republic of Cuba were established on
December 8, 1972. (BGIS)
Education, science and health, the cornerstone of the 1959 revolution is closely linked
together in Cuba’s development of an advanced medical sector.
International Outcome of the Cuban Revolution
The Cuban intervention in Angola began in 1975. Cuba sent thousands of troops to the
African nation in support of their move towards independence from Portugal. Cuba ignored
pleas by the Soviet Union not to get involved in international disputes. However, Cuba sent
35,000 troops at the peak of the invasion. This assistance deepened Cuba’s ties and prestige
within the region.
