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| Reality
Is Mad as a Hatter
Marxism
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Communism in Cuba The abrazo "Reality is Mad as a Hatter" shows the degree to which the Cuban government concerns itself with the personal lives of its citizens. Trígimo Suárez is described as being an exemplary military man, and yet the government disapproves of him because of his glasseating--something seemingly insignificant, which he does on his own time. This is quite different from America, where, in general, we seem to overlook flaws in someone's personal life so long as they do their job well. After reading this abrazo, I was interested in learning more about the political situations in Cuba. I did some research on how Cuban communism got started, and how it remains today. In the aftermath of World War II, the island country of Cuba found itself in economic despair. The country was suffering greatly from the worldwide lowering value of sugar, Cuba's main export. This, in combination with inflation, led to economic problems that set the stage for the country's eventual conversion to communism. Perhaps the unfavorable conditions of the country at the time made the populace more willing to accept revolutionary ideas. In 1952, Fulgencio Batista forcibly seized the Cuban presidency with backing from the National Army. He instituted economic reforms that were quite successful. Cuba's increasing prosperity was due mainly to a successful trade relationship with the United States. However, many Cubans did not approve of Batista's presidency, particularly a group of revolutionaries headed by Fidel Castro. Castro, a young man schooled in politics at the University of Havana, made an attempt in 1956 to oust Batista from the presidency, but was initially unsuccessful. Nonetheless, in the years that followed, his cause won increasing support from the Cuban people. Change was welcomed, since economic progress had slowed with continuously lowering sugar prices and a decline in profits from tourism. In 1959, Castro once again attempted a coup, and this time, he was successful. His revolutionary forces invaded Havana and forced Batista to flee the country. Days later, Castro spoke to his countrymen in the city of Santiago. He said, in part:
Castro finished his speech with the promise "we shall be generous to everyone." (Red) However, it was hardly generous of Castro when, immediately after taking power, he began executing his political opponents, particularly those who had worked closely with Batista. Castro's early reforms included nationalizing 90% of Cuba's production industries and 70% of the farmland. The operation of plantations controlled by non-Cuban stockholders was also prohibited (Sierra). The state became the only legal employer. Not all Cubans were pleased with these reforms. Between the years of 1960 and 1962, there was a wave of emigration out of Cuba. Those leaving were primarily the economic and social elite. Not until 1961 did Castro publicly declare himself a Marxist. In a speech to the students at the University of Concepción, Chile, in 1971, Castro explained how he became a Communist.
In 1961, Cuba was declared a socialist state, and the country's ties with the United States were severed. With the loss of such an important trade partner, Cuba needed a replacement. Castro decided upon the Soviet Union and the two countries formed an alliance which benefited Cuba greatly because of the large amounts of economic and military aid that they received from the Soviets. Today, Castro is not only the President of Cuba, but also the Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, and General Secretary of the Communist Party. Despite Castro's early promises of free elections, Cuba has had no democratic elections since before he took power. Castro is fond of saying "Within in the revolution, everything; outside the revolution, nothing." Indeed, he has little sympathy for those who do not adhere to his political guidelines. According to CubaFacts, a website with an clear anti-Castro agenda, those who exhibit "antisocial" behavior risk being fired from their jobs, and their children may lose the right to attend universities. Additionally, Cuban schoolteachers are required to evaluate students and their parents on their commitment to communism. Opponents to Castro's government face felony charges ranging from "dangerousness" to "illegal association" to "dissemination of enemy propaganda." Insulting Castro carries a three-year sentence (CubaFacts). In the 1970s, Cuba had an estimated 40,000 long-term political prisoners, giving the country one of the largest per capita rates of political incarceration (CubaFacts). According to Amnesty International, these prisoners were often mistreated--beaten, neglected, placed in cramped or unventilated cells, even subjected to electroshock treatment. While communism stresses equal distribution of goods, Castro is, according to a 1997 issue of Forbes magazine, one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, with a fortune of approximately $1.5 billion. This concept of equality is also belied by the indulgences enjoyed by high Cuban political functionaries and military officials, who enjoy luxury housing and segregated medical and recreational facilities. Additionally, the children of these officials receive exemption from obligatory military service and from agricultural labor (CubaFacts). Statistics from the 1990s showed the Cuban Communist Party as having approximately 1.5 million members, or 10% of the Cuban population. Supporters of Castro point out his success in improving Cuba literacy rates and a decrease in infant mortality rates. Of the 90% who are not members, many are highly displeased with the conditions of their country. In fact, throughout the 1990s, as economic conditions worsened, so did civil disobedience, occasionally manifesting itself in violent riots and attacks on police. Additionally, the amount of Cubans attempting to flee to America by raft increased tenfold in the 1990s (CubaFacts). Many predict that Cuban communism will end with the death of Castro. However, for the time being, although he is 75 years old, Castro remains an as of yet unstoppable force, and Cuban communism continues to thrive. Works Cited Amnesty International, 1999 Report: Cuba. Sierra, J.A. "A Timetable of the History of Cuba". 18 Feb 2001. <http://www.historyofcuba.com>. "Seeing Red - International News & Analysis". Issue 4.1. 09 Feb 2001. <http://www.seeingred.com>. CubaFacts
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| Here are some links to two sites with very different views on the situation in Cuba. |
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