Historical Conditions Facilitating Castro’s Rise to Power
I. Political Conditions
1. Colonial Legacy and Nationalism
Cuba’s independence (1898) from Spain left the island under U.S. domination, both politically and economically.
Cuban nationalism drew inspiration from José Martí (1853–1895), who fought for independence and rejected U.S. influence:
“Never was Cuba more to the US than a desirable possession.”
Martí’s 1895 Manifesto of Montecristi called for “Cuban freedom and an end to all distinctions between races.”
Castro later declared:
“The only intellectual author of this revolution is José Martí, the apostle of independence.”
Martí’s ideals became a foundation for Castro’s revolutionary nationalism.
2. U.S. Domination and Political Dependence
The Platt Amendment (1901–1934) allowed the U.S. to control Cuban foreign policy and intervene militarily.
Guantánamo Bay became a permanent U.S. base.
U.S. occupation (1906–09, 1921–23) and manipulation of elections bred resentment.
Presidents were subservient to U.S. interests, creating a “puppet government” image.
This external control eroded national sovereignty, fueling anti-American and revolutionary sentiment.
3. Corruption and Failure of Cuban Governments
Early presidents like Tomás Estrada Palma (1902–06) ruled through fraud and intimidation.
Gerardo Machado (1925–33) outlawed opposition, used violence, and was overthrown after a massive sugar workers’ strike.
Even reformist leaders like Ramon Grau San Martin (1933–34; 1944–48) failed to sustain reform; corruption persisted.
A culture of bribery and graft, inherited from Spanish rule, led to deep public distrust.
Low political participation and growing disillusionment made revolution seem the only path to change.
4. The Role of Fulgencio Batista
Batista’s first rule (1934–44) initially brought reforms but quickly turned authoritarian.
Returning in 1952, he seized power in a military coup, canceling elections and establishing a dictatorship.
By the mid-1950s, protests and student uprisings were brutally suppressed;
student martyrs became symbols of resistance.Bastista’s corruption with the USA caused investment, but also grey industry of drugs, prostitution, etc.; rich Cubans get education in the US, and detached themselves from poorer patriots -> extreme disparity in wealth
Batista’s corruption and repression destroyed public faith in conventional politics, opening the way for revolutionary alternatives.
Failure of support in Batista
Batista’s early support came from three main sources:
the army
the labour unions
the USA
Over time, each source of support weakened:
Army: Corruption and rivalry reduced morale and loyalty.
Ordinary Cubans: His harsh rule made him increasingly unpopular.
Labour unions: Continued backing him, but their influence declined since many workers were not unionized and strikes increased.
USA: Lost support after 1952 as exiled dissidents exposed his corruption, leading some members of Congress to oppose him.
5. Student Movements and Radicalization
Havana University became a hub for nationalist and socialist ideas.
Students viewed themselves as heirs to the independence struggle.
Castro’s political activism as a law student (from 1945) shaped his ideology—anti-corruption, anti-imperialism, and social justice.
6. Weakness of Opposition Parties
Authentic Party and Orthodox Party were both compromised by corruption or leadership crises.
Eduardo Chibás, founder of the Orthodox Party, committed suicide live on air in 1951, symbolizing despair in traditional politics.
The Popular Socialist Party (Communist) was banned by Batista in 1953.
The collapse of organized opposition left a political vacuum that Castro’s revolutionary movement could fill.
II. Economic Conditions
1. Reliance on the Sugar Industry
Cuba’s economy depended almost entirely on sugar exports to the USA, making it vulnerable to price shocks.
“Through the 1950s, Cuba was experiencing economic dislocation… [and] wild fluctuations of an export economy.” (Pérez, 2011).
Workers faced seasonal unemployment; the lack of diversification stunted domestic industry.
2. U.S. Economic Domination
After the “Dance of the Millions” (1919–20) sugar crash, U.S. banks took control.
The 1934 Reciprocal Trade Agreement gave U.S. imports preferential tariffs, flooding Cuba’s market and crushing local industry.
==By the 1950s, 75% of imports came from the USA and 65% of exports went there.==
3. Economic Inequality
Though Cuba was prosperous by regional standards (2nd highest income in Latin America), inequality was severe:
Rural income: $91 vs. national average $374.
75% of rural housing lacked running water.
41% rural illiteracy, only 50% literacy nationwide.
Urban prosperity contrasted sharply with rural poverty—especially in Oriente, Castro’s home province—breeding resentment and revolutionary potential.
West has more plantation, while East has much less -> West richer, East remain poor, government ignores -> grievence
4. Inflation and Unemployment
Food inflation rose to 40% annually in the 1950s, while wages stagnated.
Unemployment reached 17% (1956–57).
The middle class, squeezed by inflation and corruption, increasingly supported reformist or revolutionary change.
Footnotes
an US underworld crime syndicate↩︎