Authoritarian Rules - Cuba

Which two radical political groups emerged in 1925?

Anarchists and Communists

What was the Directorio Estudiantil?

A violent student activist group founded in 1927 to oppose Machado.

What happened to employment during the Great Depression? Use statistics.

¼ of the population was unemployed. 

Approximately how many Cuban families faced hunger?

1 million

Why did the First World War initially create a sugar boom in Cuba?

Because European beet sugar was devastated in the war, the demand for cane sugar in Cuba increased.

What was the "Dance of the Millions"?

A period of economic boom and subsequent collapse driven by the rapid rise and fall of sugar prices in ww1 roughly between 1914 and 1920.

What happened to Cuba's banking system following the collapse in sugar prices?

The National Bank was forced to close its doors in April 1921 and the entire Cuban banking system collapsed in June

How did the Wall Street Crash and Great Depression affect Cuba?

collapse in sugar prices, widespread unemployment, and intense political upheaval (fall of president machado)

How far did the value of Cuban sugar production fall between 1929 and 1932?

It fell from $175 million in 1929 to $50 million in 1932.

Why did Gerardo Machado increasingly turn towards authoritarian methods?

Machado put Cuba under authoritarian rule in 1925 (dubbed as ‘the tropical Mussolini’). He turned to these rules out of economic desperation and too much power.

What was the significance of the general strike of July 1933?

It represented a major labor movement whereby workers fought for better wages, rights, hours, and union representation.

Why was the Revolution of 1933 an important turning point in Cuban politics?

It marked the end of Machado’s dictatorship. It led to numerous political changes down the road and ultimately contributed to the rise of Fidel Castro.