emergence of castro

• Political conditions in Cuba:

  • Domination of USA
  • The ‘Platt Amendment’ of 1901-1934 gave the USA control over Cuban foreign policy, the right to station troops and intervene ‘to preserve independence’
  • Guantánamo Bay became a US military base
  • Failure of Cuban Government due to corruption and repression
  • Presidents like Tomas Estrada Palma, García Menocal, and Gerardo Machado y Morales faced issues such as intimidation, fraud, neglect of social justice, and repression
• Economic conditions in Cuba:

  • Reliance on sugar monoculture exposed the economy to price fluctuations
  • USA's domination in the sugar trade, bringing in 80% of Cuba's foreign earnings
  • The Sugar crop's value dropped from $200m in 1929 to $40m in 1932
  • Unemployment was at 17% in 1956-57
  • Inflation led to rising prices of imports and lower sugar prices in the international market, affecting living standards
• Social conditions in Cuba:

  • Social inequality with 20% of the population living in Havana but receiving the majority of investment and wages
  • Rural areas lacked basic amenities like running water and electricity
  • Ownership was concentrated in the upper class
  • High suicide rates, lack of access to education and healthcare, and 50% illiteracy rate