Fidel Castro

Developed goals of independence from foreign control, social justice, economic and industrial modernization, agrarian reform, rent reductions, expansion of education and healthcare, etc.

Condemned US imperialism

Castro spoke of "our socialist revolution"

Socialism was a strategy for a nationalist project of modernization, based on state control of the economy, prioritizing production over consumption, and hostility to US imperialism. His revolutionary reforms required central political and economic control. Socialism created a vision of a world free from poverty, exploitation and injustice.

Castro took over several utility companies and reduced their prices.

US interpreted it as a clear leaning to communism. 40% of Cuban farmland was expropriated and divided into individual plots for landless plantation workers and small farmers or peasants.

Enabled long-term planning, but meant Cuba would have to concentrate on sugar

Rents for cheaper urban dwellings were reduced by up to 50%

February 1960: agreed to purchase a million tonnes of sugar each year for five years. Also provided a 100 million dollar credit for the purchase of plant and equipment.

Including all sugar mills, banks, and large industries

Castro had to bring in rationing because of the 1962 Cuban economy collapse. The fair distribution of food contrasted with other states in the region, marked by inequalities and poverty

Soviet assistance would be given to Cuba to concentrate on sugar production again.

Before the revolution, there was high unemployment. However, production began to fall as moral incentives replaced material incentives.

With a guaranteed price. However, harvests of 1968 and 1969 only yielded 3.7 tonnes.

Cuban economy increasingly reorganized along Soviet lines.

Substantially increased Soviet subsidy to the Cuban economy. It increased the price for paid sugar, deferred debt payments for 15 years (to be repaid over 25 years with no interest) and new investment credits ($350 million over three years)

Castro introduced anti-market measures, argued Cuba still lacked "comprehensive national planning for economic development"

Phased out price subsidies and required Cuba to pay for Soviet goods with US dollars

Economic crisis after dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, no schools or hospitals were closed. The government maintained free education and healthcare.

In 1990, Cuba paid $602 per tonne. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 meant all subsidies and financing was cancelled.

First wave were Batista's supporters

Castro stressed that the people were not ready to assume government. Castro feared that a market/private enterprise economy and multi-party political system would allow the USA to continue to influence the economy and politics of Cuba.

The removal of anti- and non-communists resulted in a new coalition containing several communists. Castro effectively ended the dual power situation between the cabinet and the INRA (National Institute of Agrarian Reform).

The 26 July Movement seemed certain to win a majority, but Castro pushed for unity with the communists.

CDRs were set up in every city district, in each large building, factory, and workplace. They were the largest mass organization with 7 million members, and helped many identify with the revolution. The CDRs identified enemies of the revolution and repressed counter-revolutionary opinions and activities through sabotage and terrorism.

Second wave were disillusioned middle-class liberals, and members of the business and professional elites who opposed Castro's increasing moves towards communism after 1961.

Led to the immediate arrest of all suspected counter-revolutionaries. Resulted in a wave of nationalism and pride and anyone opposed to Castro's regime could be seen as traitors. Castro used the US threats to increase his control.

ORI: Integrated Revolutionary Organizations.The PSP had political experience Castro's guerrilla army did not. The PSP had experience with party politics, organizing mass movements, etc.

PSP dominated the ORI initially. Castro expelled almost half of its membership.

Revolutionary power had been consolidated and Castro established his pre-eminence over all potential rivals.

Some traditionalist communists opposed Castro's criticisms of the Soviet Union. The result of the trial gave Castro even greater power. After 1968, the party posed no serious challenge to Castro.

Workers were absent and there was poor productivity. Castor admitted his mistakes in a speech and argued for more democratic methods of consultation at grassroots levels.

There was a shift from individual to collective responsibility. An executive committee of 8 took over many of Castro's functions. It created a more formally democratic system and gave greater political stability. The Communist Party also became more representative. Castro no longer had the unlimited authority he had in the 1960s.

Citizens and various mass organizations were able to directly nominate the list of candidates for different levels of representation.

Castro used his position as President, head of the Communist party and armed forces to impose his will on economic and domestic policy, despite losing unlimited authority.

Castro admitted "errors," criticized economic liberalization of the 1970s and attacked signs of corruption. He singled out bureaucrats and technocrats and those who enriched themselves under the 1970s market mechanisms. The campaign was a response to growing dissatisfaction amongst workers who were angry about increasing shortages.

General Arnaldo Ochoa and several other senior military and intelligence figures were arrested on charges of corruption and drug smuggling. Four were sentenced to death, several others received prison sentences from 20-30 years.

These brigades harassed opposition groups demanding political reforms (like Gorbachev reforms) and human rights.

Allowed a direct vote in elections for members of the National Assembly and provincial assemblies

These reformers favored Gorbachev policies and political liberalization. They called for some form of political pluralism.

Campaign against racial discrimination. The government repealed pre-1959 laws that allowed or enforced racial discrimination.

Changed sexist opinions and behavior. Also played a role in getting an egalitarian Family Code in 1975

Gov took over private and Church schools, achieving virtual universal attendance at primary schools. Over 3000 schools were built and over 300,000 children attended school for the first time.

Forced gay men into UMAP (Military Units to Help Production) work batalions. Castro ordered the camps to be disbanded in 1967 due to significant criticism of Cuba for it.

Teachers, artists, actors also lost their jobs. This was later overturned by the Supreme Court in 1975

Obliged husbands to half of all family chores.