Cuban Revolution
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The Cuban Revolution had both positive and negative effects. The Revolution had many long-lasting effects on the country, and the world itself. It all started back in 1902 when Cuba finally achieved its independence from Spain. After their new constitution was set up, the United States had the right to step in and supervise their finances and foreign relations. Because of the Platt Amendment, an army appropriations bill which established seven conditions about the military occupation, the U.S. would charge in Cuba. When the U.S. had removed the Guantanamo Bay naval base from Cuba, Cuba had struggled with social instability, high unemployment rates, and was also exposed from attacks from America. During this chaotic period, Batista overthrew the government led by Carlos Manuel de CĂ©spedes y Quesada.
Batista was chosen as the representative of the constitution in 1940 until 1944. In 1952, he was elected president, and this is when it “officially” starts. Despite Batista being an effective leader in the past and getting reelected, he became unpopular due to making moves which remained the majority of Cubans poor. Batista was a tyrannical dictator and as soon as it has become sure he would lose the presidential election in 1952, Fidel Castro and his coup rebel against Batista’s government.
After the Cuban Revolution ended, like every other revolution, the revolution had a great amount of positive effect on the country itself. For example, the general population was provided with a much higher quality of life than before, with the percentage of people who were illiterate significantly going down. Not only this, many groups of people who couldn’t get the attention that they needed and deserved finally were given more rights and privileges. As an example, if we were to talk about women, women were commonly “ignored” by the general population because they weren’t supposed to be educated as much as males, or work at all. However, due to the constant fighting of the people, women were given equal opportunities. According to a study called, On Celebrating the Cuban Revolution,
“ a successful revolution needs to take into account the interests of all sectors of society, especially those who have been the victims of systematic discrimination. The Cuban Revolution immediately embraced the cause of women, addressing their interests and needs through the FMC. The legislation was passed that called for equal participation of men and women in household chores, among other measures in what is known as the Family Code. Cuban women have made tremendous progress toward the goal of equality with men in all areas of Cuban society,” (p.g. 8-9).
If we were to list some other benefits, others would be that the health of the people improved tremendously, for the fact that people gained equal health care throughout the whole population.
As the study, On Celebrating the Cuban Revolution, states,
“ Despite the constant challenges to its very survival, Cuba has been able to make available to its entire population a people-centered education at all levels, high-quality health care, and notable improvements in housing. All Cubans have the opportunity to be gainfully employed, and retirees have the right to a dignified old age.”
Through all of these effects, we can conclusively see that this Cuban Revolution can be used a great model example to prove how revolutions could be successful elements in history. However, we all know that every story has a negative side hidden behind the doors. The positive and the negative results are weaved together to create the perfect revolution.
Even though there were a lot of positive aspects to the revolution, Cuba was on its downfall. Due to the constant control of the Communist government, an endless period of food shortages, U.S trade embargo, and Nationalism could be seen as the negative aspects of Cuba. The government was a Communist and dictatorial government and limited the power of the civilians. To be specific, Cuba’s economy was failing, according to Eaton, Tracey____,
“But Cuba never shook off its dependence on foreign dollars and the state-run economy failed to bring prosperity to most Cubans.
“The Cuban model doesnt even work for us anymore,” Castro admitted in 2010, startling a visiting US journalist.”
Over 11 million Cuban citizens were evicted out of their homes and sent off to the streets.
“Critics say Castro drove the country into economic ruin, denied basic freedoms to 11 million Cubans at home and forced more than a million others into exile.
“In 55 years, the Cuban government has not done anything to help the Cuban people in terms of human rights,” said Hector Maseda, 72, a former political prisoner who lives in Havana. “I dont believe in this regime. I dont trust it.”
Also, food shortages happened soon after the revolution ended. Food supplied were shortened after the Cuban Revolution due to the extinction of the Soviet Union and they did not get any support from other countries. In addition, the U.S officials banned the trade between U.S and Cuba because they were afraid of being attacked by Cuba after the case where two American CIA officials were kidnapped. Also during the Cuban revolution, men were way more superior because men were the only people who had political power and the only ones who were pretty much educated. In that patriarchal society, men