Consolidation of Communist Cuba Historiography

Historian quote on the public view of dissidence

Lillian Guerra – A revolutionary public sphere framed dissent as counter-revolutionary.

Historian quote about Bay of Pigs invasion as support for Fidel

Peter Kornbluh – “Bay of Pigs unified Cubans behind Fidel.”

Historian quote on impact of the Third World Revolution

Piero Gleijeses – Interventions in Angola and Ethiopia boosted domestic prestige.

Historian quote on the system’s ability to reject opposition

Jorge I. Domínguez – Cuba became a mobilised one-party state, structurally excluding opposition.

Historian on the role of daily propaganda

Antoni Kapcia – “Rituals and symbols sustained everyday consent.”

Historian on the condition of social policy achievements

Carmelo Mesa-Lago – Social policy gains came with discipline through rationing and CDRs.

Historian on authoritarian nature

Marifeli Pérez-Stable – Institutions created “participation without pluralism.”