Batista in power

Batista in power 1934-1959 • Ruled through a series of puppet presidents from 1934 – 1940 • Political violence and strikes lead to military repression and martial law • Military fills virtually every branch of Government • Autentico party formed in 1934

• By 1937 peace had been restored to Cuba • Reform follows repression • Batista becomes populist – Directed reform at “los humildes” – Joined forces of Communist Party

• Batista’s reforms – – – –

Workers health care Agrarian reform – gives state land to poor Easy mortgage credits for poor Civic-Military Institute – Rural social services and education

• Constitution of 1940 – Constituant assembly representing all political affiliations

• Very progressive constitution – – – –

Universal suffrage Free elections Political and civil liberties Social and labor protections

• Lacked effective enforcement provisions

• Election of 1940 • Batista wins in fair and open election against Grau and the Autenticos • Batista presidency from 40 to 44 coincided with economic prosperity of war – Not all prospered – tobacco sales declined – Shipping was scarce

• 1944 Autenticos win election - Grau president

• Autentico Rule – Grau 1944 to 1948 – Carlos Prio Socarras 1948 – 1952

• Autenticos usher in new era of Corruption and Gangsterismo – Civil service becomes bloated – 1950 – 11% of working population worked for national government – 80% of national budget paid salaries – Violence and terror return as standard of party politics

• Economic prosperity continues from 1945 through early 50’s – Economic windfall squandered however – Low investment into Cuba – mostly US and foreign banks and real estate – Structural problems not addressed – dependence on sugar and attachment to US deepens – US cost of living increases

Ortodoxos • Discontentment and outrage over Autentico corruption led to split • Senator Eddie Chibas and others split from Autenticos in 1947 to form Ortodoxo party • Chibas powerful orator had large following in idealistic college crowd including Castro • Chibas commits Suicide in 1951 during live radio broadcast due to Autentico campaign • Cynicism and disillusion mark Cuban politics following Chibas suicide

Batista’s return • Batista seizes power in 1hr and 17 minutes by military coup – Many people welcome his return – Main political parties thrown into disarray

• Batista disappoints however – Old cronies returned to power – Military demoralized by nepotism and corruption – Early disappointment results in armed uprisings and military mutinies

• Cuban Economy declines in mid to late 50’s – Amplifies discontent with Batista – New generation of radical student organiztions and economically displaced middle class join protests

• 1954 presidential election offends most because of open manipulation by Batista – Military and police oppression increase

• Military mutiny led by Col. Barquin was foiled and a mutiney at Cienfuegos naval base out down

Rise of Castro • Fidel Castro Ruz was follower of Chibas • Chibas suicide and Batista Coup led him armend rebellion as only solution • Leads and attack on Moncada barracks on July 26th 1953 – Failed miserably – Catapulted to national fame during trial and “History will absolve me” speech

• Freed in 1955 in a general amnesty by Batista

Castro’s return • Went to Mexico in 1955 formed July 26th movement – Met Che Guevara – a radical marxist

• Landed in Santiago de Cuba in 1956 to coincide with uprising in Cuba with 80 compatriots – Expected by Batista’s forces only 18 survive including Fidel, Raul, Che, – Escape to Sierra Maestra Mountains and begin to rebuild

• Begin small scale raids on local garrisons with help of local population – Success attracts attention of media

• Feb 1957 Herbert Matthews of NY Times interviews Castro in Mountains – Lends credibility to Castro’s Rebellion

• Batista’s mismanagement and demoralized Military add recruits to Castro’s forces • By mid 1957 Castros forces expand north and West • In Jan 1958 US suspends arms shipments to Batista’s regime – Terrible blow to Cuban Army – Batista seems not to care

• May 1958 Batista launches major offensive against Rebels – – Fails miserably – Batista’s regime is doomed

• In August Rebels push west in three columns – The size of Castros forces reach 3000 men – Other oppostion groups coordinate with Castro’s forces and by Dec are on outskirts of Havana

• Batista flees in exile in US in Jan 1 1959