IB History Paper 2: Authoritarian States: Fidel Castro (Cuba)

Economic Conditions - Monoculture economy 

• cuba is highly dependent on a single crop (sugar)

• which leaves it vulnerable to fluctuations in world market

Economic Conditions - Sugar dependence 

• reliance on sugar as the main agricultural product in Cuba (little control)

• US controlled 40% of entire sugar crop every year (US Mills)

• US offered higher $ for sugar - creating an interdependency

• 60% of all sugar Cuba produced is going to the US

Economic Conditions - Seasonal unemployment 

• unemployment fluctuates during off-seasons

• 30% of able body workers did not have jobs

• affecting income and economic stability for many Cuban workers

Economic Conditions - Economic vulnerability 

• the susceptibility of Cuba's economy to external market changes and natural disasters

• due to its reliance on a sugar - impacts overall economic stability

Economic Conditions - Reliance on imports 

• the necessity for Cuba to import various goods and resources, including food and machinery due to limited domestic production capabilities

• leading to economic dependency on foreign markets.

Economic Conditions - US trade dominance

• the substantial influence of the United States on Cuba's economy through trade relations

• often limiting Cuba's economic independence and contributing to the wealth gap

Economic Conditions - Foreign ownership 

• US companies and investors controlling significant sectors of the Cuban economy

• Platt amendment - which allowed the US to intervene in Cuban affairs and maintain economic control, restricting Cuba's sovereignty over its resources.

• Guantanamo Bay - deemed void if both sides agree, used for iterigation

Political Conditions - Batista dictatorship 

• limited democracy, widespread corruption, favored/protected US interest

• reclaims power in a coup by force

• lots of unfilled promises (rule by decree, land reform, workers rights, expansion of democracy)

  • instead he: violence to suppress opposition, censorship of press, poverty

Political Conditions - Suspension of the 1940 Constitution

• the temporary halt of the constitutional framework established in 1940 during Batista's regime

• leading to increased authoritarian rule and the restriction of civil liberties in Cuba

Political Conditions - Corruption and repression

• Batista's Dictatorship: Took power by force in 1952; canceled elections.

• Deep Corruption: Stole public funds; linked to foreign mobs and casinos.

• Brutal Repression: Secret police used torture, censorship, and violence.

• Lost Public Trust: Pushed ordinary Cubans and the middle class to support reform.

Political Conditions - Lack of genuine democracy

• Fake Elections: Elections were rigged or canceled to keep leaders in power.

• Weak Institutions: Courts and congress followed the dictator, not the law.

• US Interference: Foreign interests heavily influenced Cuban politics.

• No Voice for People: Citizens had no peaceful way to change their government.

Political Conditions - Platt Amendment 

2 things

• non-alignment restrictions (cuba could not enter an agreement/treaty w/ another country that could threaten US interest

• U.S. right to intervene (U.S. could occupy Cuba to preserve independance, stabilize gov, and protect life.

Social & Regional Inequality - Urban–rural divide

Social & Regional Inequality - Eastern provinces (Oriente) 

Social & Regional Inequality - Peasant poverty

Social & Regional Inequality - Limited access to education and healthcare