RISE TO POWER

Timeline

1868 - First War of Independence (Ten Years War) begins.

1895 - Jose Martí begins a Second War of Independence.

1898 - USA defeats Spain in Spanish-American War; Cuba is ceded to the USA.

1901 - The US Platt Amendment.

1902 - Cuba becomes independent, under 'US protection'.

1927 - Machado's dictatorship begins.

1933 - Machado flees - de Céspedes becomes president; Sergeants' coup takes place, led by Batista; Grau becomes president.

1934 - Batista increases power; Grau steps down; opposition is repressed.

1940 - New constitution is passed; Batista is elected president.

1944 - Batista is succeeded by Grau.

1952 - Batista heads another coup.

1953 - Castro launches an attack on the Moncada army barracks.

1955 - Castro goes to Mexico; 26 July Movement is formed.

1956 - Castro's band of revolutionaries lands in Cuba; guerrilla war begins in the Sierra Maestra mountains.

1958 - Batista's unsuccessful offensive; Batista resigns.

1959 - Castro enters Havana.

Information

A strong independence movement developed in the 19th century - the First War of Independence [1868-1878] failed. The Second War of Independence was led by Jose Martí, "the Apostle of Cuban independence".
1898 - (looked like the rebels were winning) USA declares war on Spain (Spanish-American War) - Spain defeated and forced to give up Cuba in December 1898.
1901 - Platt Amendment - USA claimed the right to intervene in Cuba's affairs.
1902 - new republic of Cuba granted formal independence - insisted that the new Cuban constitution include the Platt Amendment [the US militarily intervened four times between 1902 and 1921].
Machado elected in 1925, and becomes dictator in 1927. He resigns and flees to the USA in 1933 as a result of increasing unrest. A provisional pro-US government is set up, but protests and strikes continue.
On 4 September, army NCOs staged a coup (the 'sergeants' revolt', led by Batista) and a new Provisional Revolutionary Government is set up, led by Grau, with students and other civilian leaders.
The USA refused to recognise the new government because of its proposed reforms. Batista, who had significant control of the army, had talks with the US and was encouraged to use his power to impose a president and a government that would protect US economic and political interests in Cuba. Batista's support was transferred to Colonel Carlos Mendieta, and the reforms were ended.
Batista and the army led Cuba from behind the scenes throughout the 1930s - led to the term 'puppet presidents'. There was massive opposition as student protests resumed in 1934-35. A general strike was called in March 1935, but collapsed after a few days. Martial law was imposed, and huge repression took place.
Grau formed the Partio Revolucionaria Cubano Auténtico (the Auténticos) and the communists were renamed the Partido Socialista Popular (PSP) - they agreed to co-operate with Batista.
A new constitution was passed in August 1940, and Batista was elected as president in October.
Due to economic problems, Grau and his Auténticos party came to power in 1944 - Batista continued to rule from behind the scenes until 1952. Corruption continued throughout Grau's government, due to Batista's power, and reforms were abandoned - this disappointed many Auténticos wanting social reforms -> Chibás formed the more radical PRC Orthodoxo (the Ortodoxos) in 1947.
Elections of 1948 are won by the Auténticos again - one of the most corrupt and undemocratic governments in Cuban history.
Prior to the 1952 election, Batista leads another coup and the elections are cancelled. Batista rules until 1959, although he promised an election in 1954, which he won unopposed.

Castro's involvement

26 July 1953 - attack on the Moncada army barracks, led by Fidel and Raúl Castro. It was a failure and many were killed, and the rest put on trial. At the trial, Fidel gave his 'History will absolve me' speech.
The brothers were among many prisoners released in May 1955, in an attempt to improve Batista's public image. They began to form the 26 July Movement - in July, he and his supporters decided to go to Mexico. The started training at the beginning of 1956, and left on the Granma on 25 November 1956. The attack was a complete failure (a planned rebellion was crushed almost immediately; they landed in the wrong place two days late; Batista's forces were waiting for them), and only 16 escaped. They retreated to the Sierra Maestra mountain range, where they began to develop guerrilla warfare.
Their attacks become increasingly successful and they began to attract recruits from the local population.
Herbert Matthews reported Castro's successes, which encouraged opposition to Batista and brought in more recruits.
Frank País headed the 'civic resistance movement' of the 26 July Movement - to get support from workers and liberal middle-class professionals in the cities.

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