CUBAN REVOLUTION

World History/Geo

Today Review 7-stages of revolution in Cuba Thinking Critically

Could the U.S. have interacted differently with Cuba to prevent the poor relationship we have today?

Do you think that Cuba ever transitioned into stage 7 “Thermidorian Reaction”?

Aims Understand the interactions and

interdependence of individuals, societies and environments in different contexts

Objectives Analyze concepts, events, issues, models and

arguments using the 7-stages of revolution

Background Columbus arrived October 28, 1492 Spanish colony ‘till 1898 when America

defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War. US helped to improve the lives of the Cubans US ended Spanish economic dominance but

only so they could then dominate Cuba’s economy

single crop economy, produced 1/3 of the world’s sugar (Wolfe)

Causes “paradise for the rich – a playground particularly for

American tourists – but a nightmare for the workers and the peasants” (Taaffe)

54% of rural population no toilets at all Malaria, tuberculosis, and syphilis were common 25% illiteracy and unemployment Land was owned by a few (8% owned 71% of the

land) American monopolies controlled most of the economy.

(90% telephone/electric services, 50% public services, 40% in raw sugar)

US supported President Batista-corrupt, dictator (killed nearly 20,000 people between 1953-1958)

(Taffee)

Stage One-Normalcy Batista held the power from 1933-1959

(either formally or from behind the scenes) 1952 Batista seized formal power in a coup

(Wolfe)

Stage Two-Criticisms of Existing Regime Batista’s 1952 coup caused opposition from

students and intellectuals Fidel and Raul Castro led this opposition Attack on the Moncada Barracks on July 26, 1953 Failed and imprisoned, later released, spent next

three years in Mexico organizing guerilla forces to return to Cuba

(Taffee)

Stage Three-Widespread Dissatisfaction Castro returns to Cuba (Dec. 1956) Castro and his rebel forces gain support

from peasants in the mountains and those in the cities

Opposition to Batista’s dictatorship increased (onwar.com)

Stage Five-Civil War Castro and his rebels were based in the Sierra

Maestra Mountains Guerilla fighting from 1956-1959 May 24, 1958, Operacion Verano-Batista sent

17 battalions, tanks, planes, and ships into the Sierra Maestras (defeated by rebels) (thinkquest.org)

In 1958 the rebel’s opened two more fronts. Raul Castro, Fidel’s brother moved north west and Che Guevara headed east. (Ruis)

Dec. 1958 Che and his rebels capture Santa Clara

Stage Four-Transfer of Power Begins as Castro gains support from peasants

and urbanites US stops supplying arms to Batista Batista flees to the Dominican Republic on

December 31, 1958 Castro’s rebels enter Havana January 1, 1959 Castro enters Cuba on January 7, 1959 Castro becomes Prime Minister on Feb. 16, 1959(Wolfe)http://inmotion.magnumphotos.com/essay/

revolution

Stage Six-Reign of Terror Jailed hundreds that opposed him Public trials and executions of Batista

supporters http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=6IqFxcwWv2Q

Stage Seven-Thermidorian Reaction Castro maintained his power until he turned

over control to Raul Castro Nationalized all American businesses and

did not compensate Americans Many still live in poverty Many civil rights violations Restricts Cubans’ access to the internet

and digital videos

Did it fit? The stages of revolution helped me truly analyze

all of the events in the revolution. I not only had to understand the key events, but

had to evaluate which part of the revolution they fit best in.

I did think that stages 4 and 5 needed to be switched to show the Cuban Revolution

Overall, I found this process helped me gain a better understanding of both the stages of revolution as well as the Cuban Revolution.

US Foreign Policy “helps” Cuba achieve their independence (Ruis) Platt Amendment-give US the “right” to interfere in

Cuba (1901) (Wolfe) 70% of Cuba was owned by USA by 1933 (Ruis) US “puppet” Presidents in Cuba from 1909-1959

(Ruis) US initially supported Batista (Wolfe) 1958 US places arms embargo on Cuba (Wolfe) Did not directly assist Castro, but initially supported

the democratic changes that he promised once he became communist, all support ended

Sources You would cite all THREE of your sources

here in MLA format as well as any other sources you used.

1-Encyclopedia/Book

1-online source retrieved from a database

1-online source (not Wikipedia)

Think Critically Could the U.S. have interacted differently with

Cuba to prevent the poor relationship we have today?

Do you think that Cuba ever transitioned into stage 7 “Thermidorian Reaction”?

Grading Criterion C: Thinking Critically

Criterion C: Thinking Critically 3.5-4 Student synthesizes information about the Cuban

Revolution to make a well supported argument

2.5-3 Student synthesizes information about the Cuban Revolution to make valid arguments

1.5-2 Makes connections between information about the Cuban Revolution

.5-1 Student makes connections between information and makes a limited attempt to make arguments