How Castro Was Able To Overthrow Batista History Essay

Cuban experienced revolution in 1953 with the attempted attacks on the Moncada Barracks which later failed. The failure caused the overthrowing of Fulgencio Batista dictatorship regime. The failure of the planned attacks led to brutality of president Batista who killed a large number of the rebels. Fidel Castrol was captured and jailed for a period of two years on which he fled into Mexico for exile after his release. He was trained by the army in Mexico where he reinforced his group upon going back into his country. Castro formed his group of rebels at the Sierra Maestra Mountains which consisted of fast growing movement of rebels. Cubans were increasingly opposing the Batista’s regime of poor governance. Castro was able to gain enough support to overthrow Batista due to increasing pressure of the people’s voice who advocated for the change. Many were against the Batistas regime which was full of undemocratic governance.

The unpreparedness of Batista’s army in fighting served as an advantage for Castro’s success. The conditions of fighting were too high and unexpected for the Batista army and the guerilla warfare style was not common to them. Fidel Castro mobilized a new generation and urged the importance of the continuing struggle. In 1956, Fidel Castrol landed in Cuba and created more strategies in overthrowing the government. Movement of Cuba began and the rebel group grew in large numbers. Various attacks were executed in several ways on the Batista government. Fidel Castrol enjoyed a widespread support from the students who had joined in hands in the Anti Batista fight. There was an armed assault by the students on the Batista’s presidential palace although it was unsuccessful but the struggle continued. In acquiring a large amount of support, Castro spent most of his time trying to understand the Cuba’s citizens’ point of view for a real change. This involves what they think of the Cuba in future if better and effective governance is put in place. The citizens were full of mixed reactions but a large number of them supported his initiative. His widespread support was from his great ambitions in creating and developing a democratic Cuba (Matthews 2008, 27).1

The training which Castro and his brother received in Mexico enhanced the support he enjoyed with the help of his supporters. He met Che Guevara who offered support in the training of the rebel group. The public sentiment which was turned against Batista greatly enabled a widespread support of Castro. Castro strategically gave out the urge for a better governance of Cuba which has been under bad governance over a long period of time. The anti communist party strengthened him under the common reforms of government operations. In his speeches, he advocated for the equal opportunities among all citizens of Cuba and the eradication of corruption. This was highly acceptable by many people across Cuba who joined hands for common grounds under Fidel Castro. Castro’s policies were so effective and many see him as a very inspiring leader who had a great vision for the Cuban country. Castro’s marriage to Mirta in 1948 who came from a wealthy family presented him with a great opportunity for political exploitation and establishment of himself across the country. The marriage provided connections to political entities on which he protested for a Cuban seat in parliament but the elections was later cancelled by Batista.

Chomsky, Aviva. A History of the Cuban Revolution. West Sussex: John Wiley and Sons, 2010.

The exposure gave Fidel a great position in establishing his policies giving hopes to many Cubans who were hopeless under the Batista’s regime. There was an organization of insurrection by the Ortodox party who were having higher expectations of winning the elections of 1952. Fidel’s strategies and policies towards a new country gained a strong influence from the experience of his life. The hard life experience and the poverty level of the peoples of Cuba brought the idea of revolution to the country. Castro led the movement and provided the education programs to the illiterate citizens, the health centers which have its origin from his early age experiences. Castro’s advocacy on corruption, poverty, unemployment and injustice attracted many people across the country that joined together in overthrowing the Batista’s regime. He was a great and outstanding public speaker which enabled him to build strong followers consisting young members in Cuba. Castro concluded that the country was in need of a revolution in saving the country from more damage. The treatment which was given to Castro in prison was much unbearable and inhuman. It was revealed that the guards were once directed to poison his food but didn’t oblige. This was later exposed to the Cuban people on whom many expressed their anger with mixed reaction and in support of Castro.

In the trials, Castro gave out a speech about the Cuba problems and the way of solving them which was openly received by the Cuban citizens. The speech was later published on the book which was entitled “History Will Observe Me”. This book publication and the trial enabled Castro to become famous across Cuba. The mounting pressure from the Cuban citizens to release Fidel led to Batista’s order of Fidel’s release. At that period Fidel was having a widespread support from the citizens. For the following months, the guerilla army formed by Castro raided the isolated Batista’s army garrisons. They comprehensively build up their weapons stock. The guerrilla had already taken control of the territory on which they were practicing good governance. Fidel offered lands to the peasants on which and in return they offered him a great support in helping the guerillas in fighting against the Batista’s soldiers. He moderated the guerrillas programs and affirmed that he was not practicing communism. The July 26th movement led by Castro gained a lot of support from the anti-Batista forces in the country. The 26th of July Movement also had important support among the organized anti-Batista forces in the country. The engagement of the revolutionaries in many sabotage acts helped the Castro’s rebels to acquire the support of supplies for the guerrillas and weapons in the mountains.

The support was incrementally growing in large number and the group included the Catholic priests and the students. They joined the Castro’s army in overthrowing the Batista’s government and regaining their country’s reputations. Many become confident with Castro’s advocacy to change and voluntarily offered necessary supports as required. There was a widespread mobilization of the people and many were recruited to the movement as it establishes itself in public. Although the Batista’s government was against the movement, the resistance had grown tremendously and there was no turning back. Castro was also fast in taking the advantage of technological advances at that particular time which enhanced the support of the country from its citizens. He used Batista’s close allies who secretly offer the intelligence information and other secretive government information.

Thomas M. Leonard. Castro and the Cuban Revolution. Greenwood Press, 1999.

This was widely seen on the governments operations which failed to be executed due to the leakage of information from government’s internal sources. The sources were actively supporting Castro in efforts of overthrowing the Batista’s government. Attacking the Batista’s close allies gave Castro opportunity to exploit more on the government operations thus provided the feedback to the people of Cuba on what happens. This allowed many people to have a reason why they couldn’t trust and secure their investment in the country as the Batista’s government gradually destroyed the economy due to mismanagement of country’s finances.

Castro shared a lot of information and provided education support in enlightening the Cuban citizens who have been in the darkness for a long time. He critically outlined the gains that would be experienced in the country if a socialist revolution were implemented. The citizens were much interested in the Castro’s argument on the socialist government which incorporates imperialism and the humanity. Castro was able to appeal to the Cuban citizens on the need for revolution through social justice promises. The development of the established system of governance promised welfare that paved the way for reforms in Cuba. This advocacy led to reliable support from the people. The guerilla movement formed in Sierra Maestra published the manifesto called “Sierra Manifesto” outlining the movement’s crucial and effective policies. In ensuring more support from the citizens, Castro strategically split the movement into two categories namely the Ilano and Sierra.

The Robinson Library. American history, west Indies, Cuba ;Fidel Castro, Cuba. PBS, 2009

The movement formed by Castro developed a well built propaganda in ensuring a widespread support. Castro formed a pirate radio station which granted him a live interview in 1957 with the famous “New York Times”. The support ,both domestic and international, grew tremendously until some Cuban Batista army resorted to support the Castro army. The urban areas across the country started to develop their own underground movements and rebel under the leadership of Castro. Many urged the need for a revolution in the country. Castro created an image both domestically and internationally through the use of media which greatly steered the revolution process. By then, he has thoroughly established himself as anti-Batista movement legitimate leader. The promises of various reforms in the government and the constitution implementation were among the top of his agenda. In ensuring that he retains his support, he criticized and challenged Batista to show what he has achieved apart from bringing miserly to the country.

The commands of Castro were effective and he was a confident leader who fought for his country without fear. His display for the love of his country was admired by the entire country and many provided the necessary support. The growing mistreatment of the Batista’s army towards the Cuban citizens increased the citizen’s support to the guerillas. The Batista’s government was then trying to acquire information about the Fidel’s secret rebels where they ended up hurting many people including the innocent children. This led to more resistance to the government despite the high level of intimidation. The more the citizens were warned not to join the Castro army the more they offered the support to Castro.

Matthews H. Revolution in Cuba: an essay in understanding Scribner. University of Michigan.2008

The movement of July 26 1958 received a great support from a wide range of organizations which signed up the letter of support. Amongst those organizations that signed up were the national bodies which represented the medical experts, accountants, lawyer’s social workers among other signatures. Castro basically targeted the majority of the citizens who were marginalized in the Batista’s government. Castro’s camp initially relied on a wide range of support from the poor but was gradually gaining the support from the middle class people who were gaining confidence on the Castro’s abilities to bring changes in the country.

By the year 1958, Castro’s had developed large troops which defeated the Batista’s troops. In ensuring a continuous support, Castro ensured that his troops are well behaved towards their prisoners, the captured solders from the Batista’s troops. They developed a reputation and human respect on which instead of brutal treatment, justice prevailed in the eyes of his enemies. This led to increased support on which some of the Batista’s solders surrendered and joined the Castro’s army. The growing reputation of Castro’s side is what encouraged many solders of the Batista to join their enemies. The entire military units started to join the Castro’s guerillas. Castro was opposed to Batista’s oppressive and dictatorship nature and the suspension of the constitutional government. Cubans widely growing revolutionaries advocated for economic and social reforms which could be achievable by the process of revolution in the country.

Rayne T. History of the Cuban Revolution. Retrieved from http://www.rcgfrfi.easynet.co.uk/ratb/cuba/cuba_rev.htm, 2007

Castro was full of promises of ending the land evictions of the peasant, reduction of persistently high seasonal unemployment and narrow economic and social inequalities in the country. This greatly provided a lot of support from many people both domestically and internationally. Castro dispatched the Batista’s force in 1958 with the movement led by Guevara and the other revolutionaries. His abilities, activities, and coordination with the independent guerillas gave him an added advantage assisted with the overwhelming support. The emphasis put upon by Castro on the social injustices and poor political and economic models of the government attracted the international attention (Sierra 7, 2010)3.

The international attraction offered help to the Castro in the troops and weapons supply as well as the training. They were opposed to the inhuman and undemocratic governance of Batista regime. They were greatly attracted by the Castro’s quest of an evolved country which provides the freedom and equality to all its citizens. This motivated countries such as US in believing in their ability to influence and control the new Cuban government. Consequently, this determined the overthrowing of the Batista Cuban government. The international pressure on the resignations of Batista was being advocated by many envoys who had invested in the country. Batista’s governance was adequately affecting many sectors of the Cuban operations especially the political and economical sectors. Thus, support was greatly offered to the Castro movement which had strategically promised economical growth upon initiating good governance. This was only achievable by overthrowing the Batista’s government which was not willing to step down democratically.

Spartacus Education.Fidel Castrol. Retrieved from http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/COLDcastroF.htm Progressive delivery:. 2004

Castro intensified a result oriented and constructive political discourse and dialogue among the Cuban citizens in getting the ideas of their views. He intensified the cooperation of social and economic functions. This intensification and attempt to establish an independent feedback body created a support system which offered several support from the citizens. Castro was objective in his relation to people of Cuba and the entire world which greatly encouraged the transition processes to the pluralist nature of democracy and the human rights respect. He was objective in ensuring the essential freedom and the sustainable economic recovery of Cuba. This transition and the revolution of the country were widely supported as it provided the entire nations representation. Castro acknowledged the uncertain economic opening which brought about great economic turnaround of the country’s economy. The support offered by the European Union urged for full cooperation. In an effort of acquire support internationally, peacefully and change was advocated in the revolution. Castro’s forces approach to their enemies was more humane and democratic.

Under his leadership, Castro presented and initiated dialogue with the country’s authorities in an effort to gain a common understanding. He incorporated all of Cuban society and sectors in the promotion of real progress and human rights in alignment to pluralist democracy (Populares 5, 1963)5.

Populares E.The Revolution in Cuba: the objective truth of the Cuban case. 1963 Original fromUniversity of Texas. USA

Castro exploited all the available opportunities in ensuring that the country’s major responsibilities are given consideration both domestically and internationally. This is in regard to human rights and other rights which were denied to many Cubans under the Batista regime. Castro mainly relied on the implementation of the military policy in countering the US imperialism while Gorbachev relied on diplomacy to settle any regional conflicts with US as a Cuban partner. Castro encouraged reforms of the internal Cuban legislation which was destroyed by the Batista’s regime. These are the legislation of civil rights and political concerns including the political abolition of all the offences. Castro also evaluated developments to ensure that Cuban internal and international policies will be met upon gaining leadership from the Batista’s dictatorship. He developed strong ties with the communist nations in search for a wide range of support as the process of overthrowing the Batista government needed more input. The movement against Batista’s regime was willing to remain effective throughout the revolution transition in ensuring the implementation of the economic opening and cooperation. As the Cuban country approached the revolution periods, the international and local support had grown in large number on which many participated in one way or the other. There was a clear coordination of activities among the troops and many people were willing to provide the best for their country (Thomas 23, 1999)7.

The attempt of USA to support to Batista’s didn’t bear fruits as Castro was already enjoying the great support. The Castro’s group boycotted the organized elections under the Castro’s directions and many turned out in big number. Many were dissatisfied by the government and sorted not to vote. To gain more support, Castro organized a strike protesting the military generals attempt to retain the government after the fleeing of Batista. The strong view of morality on Castro’s governance style really received a great support from the Cuba citizens. Castro considered drugs, alcohol, prostitution, gambling and homosexuality as major evils that have tormented the Cuban country for a long period. The defeat of Batista led to his fleeing for exile as pressure increasingly mounted on him and he feared the worst.

Sierra J.A. Timetable History of Cuba, BEFORE The revolution – 1. Retrieved from http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/time/timetbl3.htm, 2010