The Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution can be seen as
two revolutions; the first being the liberation
of Spanish rule, and the second, the liberation
of American interests. This second revolution
that occurred 1959 brought about many
changes in Cuba. And although the
revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, is now 81
years old, the change in Cuba is immense.
To understand the impact of Castro to
the Cuban revolution one must look at life in
Cuba before 1959. During the 1800s and
1900s, individuals and companies bought land
in Cuba. For example, non-Cubans owned
75% of the land. Not only were there unequal
land division, but also there was tremendous
social class division. At the top of the social pyramid were the foreign landowners and
business owners. The next group was the upper class that was usually in government
positions. Next were the middle class professionals. The largest of the groups were the
poor and uneducated. This group became the most fervent supporters of the revolution.
Fidel Castro was a young Cuban lawyer who tried to address the problems in
Cuba legally. His efforts failed and Castro used more extreme measures. Castro led a
revolt in 1953 against the Batista government, but it failed. Castro was imprisoned, but
remained confident that he would be successful. While jailed, Castro wrote that history
would absolve him. The following is from a document he wrote while jailed:
The Declaration of Independence of the Congress of Philadelphia, on July 4th, 1776,
consecrated this right in a beautiful paragraph which reads: 'We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with
certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of
Happiness; That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed; That whenever any Form of
Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or
abolish it and to institute a new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and
organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety
and Happiness.'. .
I know that imprisonment will be harder for me than it has ever been for anyone, filled
with cowardly threats and hideous cruelty. But I do not fear prison, as I do not fear the
fury of the miserable tyrant who took the lives of 70 of my comrades. Condemn me. It
does not matter. History will absolve me.
After the revolution, the social structure changed. Fidel Castro ended
memberships to organizations that showed class. Castro believed that the Cuban citizen
as a whole was more important than any one individual. Keeping along with concept,
Castro sought to make salaries more equitable. For example, doctors made only about 7
times what an unskilled laborer made. This was not seen in before the revolution.
However, the distribution of wealth has changed recently. In the early 1990s, Castro
opened up dollar stores. These stores allowed for citizens to purchase items with the use
of American dollars. Luxury items can now be bought, and there is a rise of the haves
and the have nots. Also, members of the communist party or government officials have
access to better education and medical services.
The Castro revolution changed the economic system from a capitalist to a
socialist. As opposed to a capitalist economy, the government regulates all aspects of the
economy. In this manner the main goal for the economy is protection for society. In a
socialist country, there is very little private ownership. This economic system is opposite
of the US economic system. Because of this American involvement of pre revolutionary
Cuba was extensive. The United States had owned 90% of the mines and 80% of the
public utilities. Also, 25% of the bank deposits were from American businesses. The US
businesses supported the old regime, and thus were against the revolution.
There have been several changes under Castro. Literacy rates have increased
greatly in since the Revolution. For example illiteracy rate has been lowered from 23%
to 4%. In fact, Cuba is the most literate country in Latin America. Also, there has been a
movement make sure that all of Cuba can have access to health care and education. In
fact, enrollment in higher education has increased from 7% in 1970 to 21% in 1990.
There have been setbacks under the revolution as well. For instance, civil
liberties are restricted in Cuba. Citizens have been jailed or killed for speaking out
against the communist regime.
Fidel Castro is now 81 years old and in failing health. The question remains of
what will happen to Cuba once Castro dies. There is much debate over this. A civil war
is not likely to occur because those who would lead change are already out of Cuba. It is
likely that the authoritarian Cuba will remain.