Abstract The policies of dictator Fidel Castro have improved some aspects of life in Cuba, yet imposed such hardship some Cubans are willing to risk death to leave. While Castro's regime has improved literacy, health care, and athletic achievement, daily deprivation and loss of personal freedom has driven many individuals, particularly artists and intellectuals, from their native land. This paper traces Cuba's political history and examines in particular influences of Castro's policies in the areas of health, sports, and the arts.
Abstract The question of whether or not Fidel Castro was a communist when he assumed power of Cuba in 1959 has been a debated issue over the last 40 years. Upon examination of his life and his time of power, however, it is clear that Castro was not a communist in 1959. This paper examines the life of Fidel Castro, and shows that while his associations at the time may have been communist, Castro himself was not.
From the Paper "Fidel Castro was born on a sugar plantation in the Oriente province of Cuba in 1926. Coming from a family of plantation owners, Castro worked the family sugar cane fields throughout his youth. Additionally, Castro attended the Colegio Lasalie and the Colegio Dolores, both Jesuit institutions. In 1942, Castro entered the Colegio Belen, a Jesuit prep school, and obtained a law doctorate from the University of Havana in 1950 ("Castro, Fidel", online)."
Abstract This is a descriptive paper on the life of Fidel Castro up until he came into power in Cuba. The author examines the way that fidel castro came into power, the changes that he made once in power and his stance today. The author argues that Fidel Castro originally gave hope and promise to his nation, yet today he stands for oppression.
From the Paper "Castro took Cuba on January 1st 1959 and is currently holding it. He is one of the few leaders whose country is still communist. Castro has put the country through some difficult times such as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Castro was an idealist who believed that the way things were need to be changed but he ended up leaving things the same as they were if not making them worse. He started off wanting to help the people, but now he's oppressing his people."
Abstract This paper provides a historical background of Cuba, focusing on the way in which Fidel Castro attained power and maintained it as well as Raul Castro's approach to possible economic problems. The paper also discusses the need for a change in the totalitarian rule in order to have good international reactions. In addition, the paper shows how the future of Cuba is debatable; while the US does not consider the Raul Castro regime to be capable of change, the EU hopes for that change.
From the Paper "Cuba is considered to be one of the most important countries in Latin America and one of the most interesting study cases for global politics. It represents a bastion of communist rule, on the one hand. However, taking into account Fidel Castro's political approach on the rule of the country, it can be said that the regime in Havana implemented throughout the decades a tailored communist approach; more precisely, it used the basic Marxist theories and adapted them to the specificities of the country. However, recent developments in the country have raised the question over the possible future of the state and the direction Cuban politics will adopt."
This paper discusses the relationship between the United States and Fidel Castro's Cuba, now more than forty years old, but still a source of great political and moral contention.
Abstract This paper describes the history of Cuba before and during the reign of Castro. The author states that today, Cuban citizens live in a state of constant depression. The author concludes that the standing relationship between Cuba and America is based on the optimistic thought that Fidel Castro can?t live forever.
From the Paper "Cuba, once a unique and remote ally to the U.S.S.R., served as an outpost for anti-American hostilities and a potential vessel through which to deliver the devastating blows that may have turned the Cold War hot, now is an isolated bastion for ideals abandoned by most of the world. In the Western Hemisphere, they are alone, paying for what most American citizens will tell you is their philosophical transgression."
Abstract This paper discusses how the failure of the U.S. to intervene against the Cuban Revolution of the 1950s helped Castro succeed in overthrowing the Batista government and instituting a Communist regime on the island. It argues that it was not just the failure of the U.S. to intervene when Castro came to power, but its failure to intervene during his rise to power that helped him succeed.
From the Paper "The United States was not completely happy with Castro's predecessor, Fulgencio Batista. But Batista's government, nonetheless, had arrested Castro on July 26, 1953, when Castro had already failed in an attempt to conquer a government barracks in Santiago de Cuba in Oriente province, a large and important area. Castro was then imprisoned on the Isle of Pines. Castro was released, however, two years later. The years in prison left him more eager than before to reform government in Cuba."
Abstract This paper explores the political, social, and economic factors that led to Fidel Castro's revolution in Cuba. The paper first describes the rightist rule of Fulgencio Batista and his brutal and unfair treatment of the population. The paper then explains how leftist movements are reactions to massive inequities in the economic, social and political structure within a nation. In light of this information, the paper then explains why Castro's promise of democracy and social equity succeeded in appealing to the masses and how this led to his successful revolution.
From the Paper "From 1962, Cuba has been politically aligned with the archetypal Soviet Communist political structure. Under the singular leadership of Fidel Castro, Cuba turned from just another North American / Western European playground of excesses that so much of the Caribbean has become to a violently anti-American communist nation directly aligned with the Soviet Union and simultaneously the biggest failure and success in the political life of President John F. Kennedy. Cuba has taken on many roles over the course of the past several centuries. First, it was a stopping point prior to landing in the U.S. for slave ships, then it became the location where the U.S.S. Maine was supposedly sunk by Spanish saboteurs which led to the U.S. involvement in the Spanish American war, then it became an industrialist / capitalist haven where the raw materials of the Caribbean and the moral corruption of gambling, prostitution, drugs, and organized crime were the rule of the day. Then, with the people of Cuba increasingly disconnected from the wealth their land was generating, disenfranchised from within their own government, and led by a young and charismatic farmer, Fidel Castro, overthrew the pro-U.S. government and replaced it with a Leftist ideology that purported to be dedicated to the people."
Abstract This paper discusses the methods the CIA used to try to "get rid" of Fidel Castro and overthrow the communist Cuban government. This paper gives light to some of the many plots the CIA came up with to rid the world of history's longest ruling communist dictator.
From the Paper "To say that the relationship between the United States and Cuba is complicated is a major understatement. Ever since 1959, when Fidel Castro came into power in Cuba, the two nations have had a strained relationship at best, and a highly adversarial relationship when things got worse. Now that the Cold War is over and Cuba is no longer receiving weapons and aid from the defunct Soviet Union, relations between the two countries are much more relaxed. However, during the height of the Cold War, during the Kennedy administration and even before that, the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States developed and planned several ways to bring down the communist Cuban government; the catalyst they kept going back to in order to bring down the government was the assassination of Fidel Castro."
Abstract This paper examines Cuba's 1959 revolution and what Cuba holds for its people today in an effort to determine what Cuba's economic and political future will be without the leadership of Fidel Castro. The paper considers several factors relevant to Cuba's future including its culture, its relationship with the Soviet Union and its economy.
Introduction
Old Cuba and Monoculture
The Cuban Revolution
Cuba's Relationship with the Soviet Union
Leadership Transition
Cuba's New Economy
Cultural Change
From the Paper "In 1959, Fidel Castro and his movement "enjoyed overwhelming popular support" (Perez-Stable 7). The Cuban people had never idolized someone like him or held anyone so beloved before. They truly believed in his extraordinary leadership and vision. In many ways, he was the perfect everyman and had an ability to relate to all Cubans on many levels. He pleased the people by delivering old promises of social change and was able to placate Old Cuba's military unlike leaders before him. However, many new ideals brought to fruition during this time did not agree with the United States or its foreign policies toward the market. The United States wanted to keep Cuba dependent on the relationship. The Cuban Revolution and leadership "focused on three crucial elements in consolidating its rule: developing the economy, seeking new international allies, and constituting a new political authority" (Perez-Stable 10). Out of this grew a new conciencia or consciousness based greatly on the well being of the collective people as being crucial to economic success and strengthening Anti-American sentiment."
Abstract The paper discusses Fidel Castro's recent surrender of power to his brother, Raul, while undergoing stomach surgery. The paper reveals that this action has fueled much speculation as to Cuba's future. The paper explains that while most experts predict that under Raul's reign there will be increased tensions between Communist hard-liners and moderates, it is unlikely that there will be an immediate and total collapse of Communism. The paper predicts that Cuba will become more pro-Western with closer ties to a free market environment, similar to what seems to be evolving in China. The paper emphasizes that after Fidel's death, communications with the West will most certainly improve, but it is unlikely that there will be any dramatic changes.
From the Paper "Many experts, such as Terry McCoy, a Latin American studies professor at the University of Florida, believes that a change in leadership may not necessarily mean an immediate end to the Communist nation's current regime (Rigney 2006). McCoy says the question is whether Raul, who is less charismatic and lacks the leadership qualities of Fidel, can hold onto power, but believes the government will survive in the short term (Rigney 2006). According to McCoy, the succession plan "first involves Raul Castro and then a circle of much younger successors, who would run the country through some type of collective leadership.""
Abstract This paper explains that the Cuban Missile Crisis remains one of the primary reasons why Castro is held at arm's length by the U.S. government even as other parts of the world have ceased being Communist-led or have sought some accommodation with the U.S. and achieved it. The author points out that the economy of Cuba has continued to deteriorate because Cuba was less able to get international assistance when the Soviet Union changed and was pressured by the United States to remove troops and other personnel from Cuba. The paper concludes that, for all the speculation made by various commentators, the form a post-Castro Cuba will take is unknown because the circumstances of the transition are not known, meaning whether Castro will be removed by death or by some other means, who will be his immediate successor and whether there will be any violence involved in the transition. Many quotations.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Background
History
U.S. Response
The Hawk's Cay Conference
Latin America
Florida
The Cuban Economy
The Promise of Castro Cuba after Castro Future of U.S. Policy
Projections into the Future
Discussion
From the Paper "The people reacted to poor economic conditions in 1994 by rioting in the capital. Even more Cubans now tried to reach the United States, producing a crisis so that President Clinton had to take steps to stop them. This produced a crisis in the U.S. as many in the Cuban community here objected. What the Clinton Administration did was to change the rules concerning the admittance and rejection of refugees from Cuba. The first of these changes is that Cubans who have been in detention camps in the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base will be admitted to the United States over the next few years. This comes after several denials that those refugees would ever be allowed into the country."
Abstract In this article, the writer researches the political developments in Cuba during the Eisenhower administration. The writer looks at how the Eisenhower administration viewed and reacted to political developments in Cuba during the presidency of Dwight Eisenhower. The writer notes that the relationship between the United States and Cuba changed under the leadership of Dwight Eisenhower for many reasons, which include the fact that during the Eisenhower administration the United States had begun with a plot to overthrow Fidel Castro's leadership in Cuba. Further, the writer points out that there are certainly other factors that were key to many of the policies and decisions made by the administration during the presidency of Dwight Eisenhower and that all of those cannot be within the scope of the present work. However, the writer notes that it is clear that economic drivers were largely calculated into U.S. policy during the time of Eisenhower's presidency. These were characterized by nuclear arms creation and buildup and communist threats arising throughout the globe. Furthermore, the writer concludes that the proximity of Cuba and the association with communist forces played a great role in the decision-making process in Washington.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
American Interests in Cuba Defined
The Background of Dwight D. Eisenhower
The Background of Fidel Castro Economic Reasons Castro Gained Support in the Revolt
American Policy Toward Cuba - Assistance to Batista
Fidel Castro's Revolt Ousts Batista
Bilateral Attack Launched on Castro by the U.S.
Bay of Pigs Invasion
Analysis and Discussion
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "Eisenhower's form of leadership was one that delegated responsibility, appearing as though he was not making key decisions and working only behind the scenes. The Domestic Policy of Eisenhower one a middle of the road policy balancing the freedom of the individual with the needs demanded in consideration of the whole nation as well. Eisenhower did not believe in intervention on a federal level of economic or social aspects and stressed the balancing of the budget. During the Eisenhower administration the welfare state experienced growth and social security was provisioned to 10 million more than previously and minimum wage was raised as well. The Department of Health, Education and Welfare was created and the polio vaccine was distributed. During the Eisenhower administration the highway system came into being along with the Interstate Highway and Defense System Act of 1956 with 42,000 miles of interstate funded through fuel and vehicle taxes. Job growth was stimulated as the trucking and automobile industries fought for laws and up sprang the fast food and motel industries which accelerated the growth of suburbs and a homogeneous national culture simultaneously. It was the fear of Eisenhower that defense spending of massive proportions would result in an unstable economy and development of a military industrial complex."
Reviews the history of Cuba since the Castro-led revolution. Examines the goals & achievements of Castro's government, as well as the failures. Analyzes Cuba's prospects for the post-Castro future.
2,250 words (approx. 9 pages), 8 sources, 1996, $ 79.95
From the Paper "Despite the original promise of the Revolution, the failure of Cuba's leadership to respond effectively to a poor economy, failing social programs and the collapse and repudiation of communism in other parts of the world makes future success unlikely. A terrible economic crisis, the constant reminders of Fidel Castro's age and mortality, serious indications that many of the revolution's goals are as far away from being accomplished as they were in 1958, and the rising disillusionment and cynicism of the Cuban people all indicate that the country's socialist revolution--the most thorough and radical in twentieth-century Latin America--is failing.
The political and economic life of early twentieth-century Cuba was dependent on a powerful planter class and on foreign support, thus creating a lopsided society of privileges. For almost 25 years, a shrewd army sergeant, Fulgencio Batista y Zaldi..."
Abstract This paper looks at the biography about Fidel Castro written by reporter Tad Szulc who spent many years following his life. The writer shows that the book presents a very balanced view of Castro as well as showing new sides of him not previously reported.
From the Paper "Tad Szulc is a veteran New York Times reporter who first came to know Castro in 1959 while covering a story. Over the years, he has continued reporting on Castro. Szulc has interviewed Castro on many occasions and also interviewed his friends, past friends and his enemies. He was given unprecedented access by both the Cuban government, and by Castro himself, to conduct his research for the book. The book really gets inside the events rather than just reporting from the outside."
Examines the evolution in the 1990s. Discusses Cuba's loss of Soviet support, the impact of Cuban exiles, Castro's socialist leadership, human rights, politics, laws and the economic emargo.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 7 sources, 1999, $ 95.95
Abstract Fidel Castro's government did not collapse following the U.S.S.R.'s 1990 withdrawal of $6 billion in annual subsidies from Cuba. With the subsequent end of the Soviet Union itself there seemed to be no hope for Castro's revolutionary state. Yet, after almost ten years, the end is still not in sight and Cuba is making a gradual transition into the world economy via internal liberalization and the rapid growth of foreign investment from nearly every industrialized nation--except the U. S.
From the Paper "Fidel Castro's government did not collapse following the U.S.S.R.'s 1990 withdrawal of $6 billion in annual subsidies from Cuba. With the subsequent end of the Soviet Union itself there seemed to be no hope for Castro's revolutionary state. Yet, after almost ten years, the end is still not in sight and Cuba is making a gradual transition into the world economy via internal liberalization and the rapid growth of foreign investment from nearly every industrialized nation--except the U. S. American policy toward Cuba, rather than relaxing, has remained strongly weighted toward isolation and economic sanctions, and has even gone so far as to insist that U. S. allies and trading partners adopt the same stance. The passage of the Helms-Burton, or Libertad, Act of 1996 strengthened American opposition to normalization of relations with Cuba and laid down ..."
