Authoritarian State (Castro) History Notes

Authoritarian State (Castro) Emergence of Authoritarian States  Conditions in which the authoritarian state emerged (Economic-Social Division-Impact of War- Weakness of Political System) Conditions  Economic Factors: o In the 19th Century, Cuba’s economy entirely depended on the exportation of slave produced goods and trade with the U.S o U.S companies owned many Cuban plantations o 75% of rural housing were palm huts without running water. And an illiteracy rate of 41% o Great depression dropped the worth of sugar. Before it was worth 200 Million$ after 3 years it was worth 40 million $. o Increased inflation 40% per year since 1959  Social Division: o Geographical divide created a social division in class and ethnicity o Areas closer to ocean currents were modernize. Ex: Cuba’s main trading points were located in the west o Income inequality created greater gap in social class especially Shacklands. o Most Cubans in the East were ex-slaves or black. Ex: Oriente (in the far east) was the poorest and witnessed the most slave-revolts. o Most Cubans in the west were of Spanish decent and lighter skin color, they were socially and economically satisfied. o By 1886 Spain abolished slavery in Cuba however this left the ex-slaves and their descendants in poor conditions and politically powerless.  Weakness of Political Systems: o Elections were rigged and geared towards pleasing the U.S’ economic objectives o In 1901 the U.S passes Platt Amendment to intervene in Cuba militarily. o Due to corrupt dictatorship of president Gerardo Machado and wall street crash, student protests (Sergeants Revolt) led by Fulgencio Batista in 1933-1934 took place. o From 1934-1959 Batista ruled directly through puppet president o Machado is forced to resign by the U.S and Cuba now is governed by Ramon Grau in a “Provisional Government”. At this point most of the power was in colonel Fulgencio Batista because he had the army at his fingertips. o Strikes and protests rose against Grau’s presidency resulting in police and army brutality against civilians. Grau dealt with this by bribing armed gangs with important positions. As a result, corruption within the government rose, giving Fulgencio Batista a reason to become president in 1940. o In 1940-1944 Fulgencio Batista, first mixed president, gains support from most of Cuba’s non-white society by bribing journalists and clergy men.  In his first presidency upper class/economically powerful people remained powerful.  He was pro-American and pro-capitalism which reduced support from communist parties.  In WW2 Cuban export of sugar increased, most of the profit went to foreign corporations.  Batista stepped down because he lost the 1944 elections to Grau