GCSEHistoryEdexcelRevision NotesSuperpower Relations & the Cold WarCuba, 1959-1963The Cuban Revolution, 1959

The Cuban Revolution, 1959 (Edexcel GCSE History)

Revision Note

Zoe Wade

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Zoe Wade

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History

Why was Cuba Important to the USA in the 1960s? - Timeline & Summary

cuban-revolution-timeline

Historically, Cuba held a lot of importance to the USA. The USA helped Cuba to fight against and free themselves from Spanish rule in 1898. Throughout the 20th century, US businesses developed in Cuba. The country contains an abundance of valuable raw materials like tobacco, rice and coffee. Sugar became Cuba's main export. By 1925, Cuba produced five million tons of the world's 25 million tons of sugar. In 1920, US banks financed and provided the technology for Cuba's sugar industry. Due to this context, the USA had a beneficial relationship with Cuba by the 1950s. The USA believed that its investment in Cuba's economy justified American input in Cuba's politics.

Geographically, it was important for the USA to maintain a good relationship with Cuba. Cuba is only 90 miles away from Key West, Florida in the USA. An enemy of the USA could ally with Cuba to use its proximity to attack or invade the USA. 

US Involvement in Cuba Before 1959

  • The USA was incredibly involved in Cuba's economy

    • The USA relied on Cuba's sugar and tobacco exports

    • US businesses controlled and profited from Cuba's sugar trade. US businesses also owned all of Cuba's oil refineries, railways and electricity

  • As a result, the US attempted to control the political identity of Cuba

    • From the 1900s to the 1930s, the US military had suppressed three attempted revolutions in Cuba 

    • In 1933, the US government supported a military coup by Sergeant Fulgencio Batista. Batista became the president of Cuba

    • Batista was a very corrupt leader

      • Batista stopped elections and refused to follow the Cuban Constitution

      • He allowed US businesses and rich Cubans to thrive while ignoring the struggles of the poor in society

      • American mobsters began illegal businesses in Cuba, which Batista allowed. This increased American tourism to Cuba

    • The USA ignored Batista's corruption

      • US businesses were profiting from his rule. As a result, the US government provided Batista with weapons to maintain control of Cuba

Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and the Cuban Revolution

  • In November 1956, revolutionary Fidel Castro began an uprising against Batista

    • He recruited Che Guevara to join his uprising

    • Castro began a guerrilla warfare campaign against the Cuban government

  • In 1958, the international media supported the Cuban revolutionaries

    • At this stage, the US government stopped giving money and soldiers to Batista's government

  • On 1st January 1959, Castro and Guevara's forces defeated Batista

    • The rebels reached Cuba's capital city, Havana

    • Batista fled from Cuba to the Dominican Republic

  • Castro formed a new government in 1959

US Issues With the Cuban Revolution

cuban-revolution-mind-map

A concept map showing the four key issues that the USA had with Castro's method of government

  • The issues discussed above affected the USA's relationship with Cuba in the 1960s

    • Eisenhower reduced trade with Cuba

      • In July 1960, the USA bought less sugar from Cuba

      • By October, Eisenhower began a trade embargo with Cuba

    • By 1961, US-Cuban relations had broken down

      • The US government ended their diplomatic relationship with Cuba

Exam Tip

An exam question could ask you to explain how the Cuban Revolution affected Cold War tensions. The influence of communism and the proximity of Cuba threatened the USA. An agreement with the Soviet Union could have caused Cuba to become a satellite state. The development of nuclear technology meant that ICBMs placed on Cuba could reach every part of the USA. The USA deemed this a significant threat to the country's safety. This threat encouraged the USA to act aggressively against Cuba.

Worked Example

Explain one consequence of the Cuban Revolution in 1959

4 marks

Answer:

 One consequence of the Cuban Revolution was a breakdown in the USA's relationship with Cuba (1). Castro overthrew the pro-American Batista and created his own government in Cuba. Castro's government wanted less US influence on their economy. In February 1960, Castro formed an agreement with the Soviet Union. Khrushchev agreed to buy Cuban sugar and secretly gave Cuba weapons (2). The influence of communism in Cuba caused a breakdown in the USA's relationship with Cuba. In October 1960, Eisenhower began a trade embargo with Cuba and Cuba lost their economic support from the USA. Both countries lost their motivation to pursue diplomatic relations, which increased the likelihood of conflict (1).

Exam Tip

In the Superpower Relations exam, this style of question would ask you to explain two consequences. As a result, this question would be worth 8 marks.

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    Zoe Wade

    Author: Zoe Wade

    Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.