Background of Cuban revolution

USA:

  • relied on Cuban sugar + tobacco exports

  • owned Cuba’s oil refineries, railways, electricity

  • supported military coup by Sgt. Batista in 1933

  • ignored Batista’s corruption + provided weapons to maintain control of Cuba

Batista:

  • corrupt leader

    • stopped elections

    • refused to follow Constitution

    • allowed US + rich Cubans to thrive + ignores struggles of poor

    • allowed US mobsters to create illegal businesses

Castro forms new government in 1959. Why didn’t the US like it?

Reason

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Communism

Castro appointed Communists into his government.
The proximity of a Communist nation sparked nationwide fear-
especially after the agreement with Khrushchev.

Cuban Nationalism

Castro was a nationalist who did not want US control over the Cuban economy.

Nationalising land

May 1959- Castro’s gov begin taking back land owned by foreign nationals.
US refused the policy, but Castro continued.

IMF

US refused to give money to Cuba unless they followed the IMF