Cuba Under Batista
What type of government did Fulgencio Batista lead during the 1950s?
A military dictatorship
Which leaders led the attack on the Moncada Barracks in 1953?
Fidel Castro and Che Guevara
In which mountain range did Castro and his rebels hide and grow their movement?
The Sierra Maestra Mountain Range
What event in December 1956 nearly destroyed the revolutionary movement shortly after the Granma landing?
Batista's forces ambushed the rebels, killing or scattering most fighters and forced them into the mountain range.
Which superpower did Cuba align with after the revolution and WHY?
The Soviet Union (USSR) - for political assitance, resources, protection, etc.
Name two major social issues many Cubans faced under Batista
Widespread poverty, inequality, unemployment, corruption.
What economic factor made many Cubans resent US involvement in Cuba?
American control of major industries such as sugar and tobacco
What was the name of the small yacht that transported the revolutionaries from Mexico to Cuba in 1956?
The Granma
Castro unified the revolutionary groups and became the political leader of the movement, while Guevara developed key guerrilla strategies and motivated fighters through his commitment to social justice. Together, they helped build support among ordinary Cubans and led the campaigns that eventually
What major US action occurred in 1960-61 in response to Castro's reforms?
The US embargo on Cuba
Which group particularly benefitted from Batista's close relationship with the United States?
Foreign businesses, especially American corporations.
What document did Castro write in prison outlining his vision for Cuba?
History Will Absolve Me
What tactic did guerrilla fighters used to build civilian support?
Winning "hearts and minds" by helping peasants and treating them respectfully. The guerrilla fighters would help them build homes, teach them basic literacy skills, etc.
What role did urban movements (such as student groups in the cities) play in the revolution?
They would carry out sabotage, strikes and coordinated resistance. If these people were to die it would increase revolutionary support for Castro.
What failed 1961 invasion attempt did the US support to overthrow Castro? Explain it.
The Bay of Pigs Invasion - the CIA trained exiled Cubans, supplying them with resources and weapons to overthrow Castro's government.
What was Batista's main strategy for dealing with political opponents?
Harsh repression, imprisonment, censorship, torture.
What major event in 1959 marked the successful overthrow of Batista and end of the revolution?
Batista fled Cuba on January 1st, 1959
Who was the key strategist behind guerrilla operations? Name one Guerrilla Warfare strategy and explain it.
Che Guevara, hit and run tactics, sabotage, ambushes, etc.
What was the importance of the Battle of Santa Clara in December 1958?
Che Guevara captured the city, cutting off Batista's supply lines and triggering Batista's flight from Cuba.
The placement of Soviet Missiles in Cuba in 1962 led to what global crisis? Explain what it was and how it was resolved.
The Cuban Missile Crisis - a 13 day confrontation where there was a threat of nuclear war between nations. It was resolved when the leaders of both countries agreed on specific terms
How did Batista's 1952 coup contribute to the loss of legitimacy for his government and why did this accelerate opposition movements?
The coup cancelled elections, installed Batista as an unelected dictator and convinced many Cubans that peaceful political change was impossible, pushing them toward revolutionary activity.
Explain how the combination of economic dependence on sugar and foreign ownership of Cuban industries contributed to the rise of revolutionary nationalism.
The Cuban economy relied heavily on sugar exports controlled by US companies, which limited Cuba's economic independence. This inequality fostered resentment and fuelled nationalist demands for more independence from the U.S, land reform and equitable treatment.
How did the rebels’ ability to combine guerrilla tactics with effective propaganda, such as Radio Rebelde, help them gain national support and weaken Batista’s control?
Their guerrilla tactics allowed them to strike quickly, retreat safely, and gradually take control of rural areas, while Radio Rebelde spread news of their successes, exposed Batista’s abuses, and built public confidence in the revolution. This combination made the rebels appear stronger than they were, encouraged civilians to support them, and undermined Batista’s authority across Cuba.
What was the significance of the Rebel Radio Station Radio Rebelde?
It spread revolutionary propaganda and communicated strategies.
Which reform drastically changed land ownership in Cuba after 1959? Explain it and its impact on Cuba
The Agrarian Reform Law - a series of reforms that changed land ownership within Cuba, nationalising land ownership and redistributing it among the population to make it more equitable for peasants and the middle class.