IB History Authoritarian States

Land Reform (1959)

aimed to redistribute land from wealthy landowners to peasants, reducing US economic influence in Cuba

Nationalization of Industry 1960

key industries (oil & energy, sugar) were nationalized, aligning Cuba with Soviet economic policies and leading to a US trade embargo

Socialist Reforms (1960s-1970s)

Education (“Year of Education” 1961 literacy campaign) and healthcare (Rural Health Service 1960 & regionalized health care & private - public), however policial dessert was supressed

Economic Struggle (1980s-1990s)

Despite social improvements, Cuba faced economic difficulties due to dependency on the Soviet Union and the ongoing US embargo

Political Dissent

This was met with severe repression, limiting freedom of expression and political plurality

26 July 1953

Failed attack on the barracks that later becomes a symbol for the movement

1959 Prime Minister

Castro takes power with help from revolutionists and declares himself Prime Minister (propaganda: radio rebel, censorship, nationalize industry)

Bay of Pigs 1961

CIA trained Cubans tried to overthrow Castro, which solidified his power and increased US tensions

The Cuban Missile Crisis 1962

Cold War Moment - USSR v US

Economic Isolation

Following 1991, after the fall of the USSR, Cuba had very poor economy

Internationalism Movement (1960s-1980s)

Sent military troops and economic aid to countries facing colonialism (most notably Angola (1975-1991), Ethiopia (1977-1978)

People’s Republic of China

Mao led the PRC and started rule on October 1, 1949

Land Reform (1949-1953)

Mao’s redistribution of land imed to eliminate feudalism, resulting in violence against landlords but gaining peasant support

The Five Year Plan (1953-1957)

Mao wanted to join the world leaders, focusing on industrializing steel production and transformation of the agriculture industry, based on USSR model.

The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962)

This campaign aimed at rapid industrialization to modernize China through collectivization and "backyard furnaces," led to a catastrophic famine, with millions dying due to poor playing and execution

The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)

Aimed at solidifying Mao’s power, this period saw mass persecution of intellectuals and a significant impact on education and society

Eliminate the four olds “Old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits”

Economic Reforms (1978-1989)

Deng Xiaopoing’s ‘Open Door’ policy initiated economic liberalization, creating Special Economic Zones to attract foreign investment

The Korean War (1950-1953)

China’s intervention solidified its role as a major communist power and was crucial for its border security