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 industrialsector”. Because of the dependance on sugar, the unemployment rate ranged between 16 and20% rising and falling with sugar prices, ebbing and flowing as the season changed. The ruralwage 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 itsworkers. It was the leaders of the nation who reaped profit from this dependance, and it was theleaders 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 socialmilitancy in the working class ranks, and the people found order preferable to disarray. Batistacould no longer legitimize his regime . Failure in the elections of 1954 showed the discontent ofthe 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 thepolice, assault, sabotage, and urban violence. This began the revolution in Cuba.
The Essay on Sugar Cane Production In Cuba
Havana, April 17 (APIC). In Cuba, historically, prosperous and poor times were called the time of the fat cows and the time of the skinny cows respectively. In this skinny cow period that has prolonged for a record 4 decades, we must also refer in recent years to an even more discouraging expression: the time of the skinny sugar cane. After the disastrous last few years of sugar production, ...
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 thosewho smiled on its actions and ideals. Castro found friends in Russia; the United States made thisso.
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
The Essay on United States Cuba Castro Country
In the early 1900's, Cuba was a stomping ground for many of the rich and famous from the United States. Many famous movies stars and wealthy business entrepreneurs spend their vacations there along with a substantial amount of money. Trade and commerce between the United States and Cuba flowed freely and abundantly. Even with the Dictatorship-like regime of Batista, the countries benefited from ...
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 notbecome of greater status than he is born with, but then again that status is no better than hisneighbors; this man is, however, guaranteed a certain amount of land, for example, and a certainhome and a certain salary. To the poor, those threatened by the extreme of starving, this idea isvery appitizing. To a nation undergoing change, where there are many poor and these poor co uldget 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 developingcount ries in Latin America must struggle through economically and politically hard times to reachtheir own maturity; this means experimentating with different styles of government to find outwhich 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 canwork. America should support strong democratic leaders, encourage capitalistic moves they (thecountries) make, and advise the nations when they need or ask for it. Mexico is an examplewhere democracy worked, in Cuba, it didn’t. Force will get us nowhere in preventing the spreadof 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
The Essay on Out Of America A Black Man Confronts Africa By Keith Richburg
Out of America: A Black Man Confronts Africa by Keith Richburg During many years Africa was associated with evergreen forests, unique flora, fauna, sun and diamonds. Keith Richburgs book Out of America disclosed a terrible truth to millions of readers about African continent. After reading this book Africa is no longer associated with safari, lions and wild nature. It is neither about ecological ...
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.
