Cuban Revolution Causes

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In the early 1950’s, Cuba was on the brink of revolution. Severe social and economic problems led to much dissatisfaction in society and a desire for change. Due to this heated atmosphere, a figure like Fidel Castro was able to gain support, fuel and accelerate revolution. He became a prominent figure after Fulgencio Batista’s coup of 1952 and is now deemed to be a major cause of the Cuban revolution. However, it is evident that Fidel would not have been as successful in conducting the revolution if it wasn’t for the underlying long term social and economic problems which essentially paved the way for revolution. Relations between the U.S and Cuba was one of the underlying economic problems affecting Cuba. Following the Spanish-American War of 1895, the United States emerged as both Cuba’s protector and primary trade partner. By the mid 1950’s American business interests controlled about 40 percent of Cuba’s sugar production and over 90 percent of Cuba’s utilities, such as electricity and communications. Ties between Cuba and America brought obvious prosperity to a limited segment of Cuba’s population though they did so at the expense of Cuba’s national potential and economic independence. Source two discusses the way in which “in 1895 … the Americans appropriated our country” (that is, Cuba) . The U.S control of the economy added to the gap between the rich and the poor which exacerbated social problems and led to the emergence of a society in need of revolution. The inequality within Cuban society was another main cause for social dissatisfaction which eventually sparked the revolution. The upper class consisted of wealthy people and business owners while the lower class made their living in fields and factories . The lower and middle classes possessed no authority to challenge the political strength of the upper class which enraged many revolutionary
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