The Cuban Revolution - From Castro's first political appearance to his Provisional government

Fidel Castro was himself a part of the Orthodox Party under Batista's rule. Several factor made Castro popular; he was a fine athlete, had an extraordinary memory and he was an outstanding orator. Castro planned to run for seats in the congress (1952) but before the election was held Batista had succeeded his coup against Prío Socarrás. Castro did not hide his dislike towards Batista's rule, already in 1953 he tried to depose him for the first time. 

Castro's role in the Cuban Revolution

The Moncada assault

Castro continued to show his opposition towards Batista. In 1953 Castro, his brother and a member of the orthodox party, Abel Santamaría led 140 men dressed in military uniforms into an attack on a military garrison  known as Moncada Barracks. Castro hoped to seize the large amount of ammunition to spark a general insurrection against Batista and he believe because it was one of the places in Cuba with a great social unrest he would gain support. 

      Unfortunately for Castro the military successes in defending the building and half of the rebels were killed and many were captured and tortured to death, one being Abel Santamariá. Castro and his brother Raúl managed to escape but were soon captured and imprisoned by Batista's forces. 

     Batista wanted to show the public how determined he was to crush all opposition, which is why he made a great show out of the rebels trails.  Since Castro was an educated layer her defended himself at the trail. Castro held the speech History will absolve me,  which was not only his defense but later on became a programme for the political and social reform of Cuba. Castro was the only political leader opposing Batista's dictatorship. Furthermore, Batista was worsening his image through repression. torture and persecution. The Moncada assault marked the foundation of Castro's political movement 26th of July. 

     In 1954 Batista attempted to legitimize his rule by running for president. He of course won, with Castro in jail, PSP ( Popular Socialist party) banned and no other active opposition and he claimed his had been rightfully chosen. In 1955 Batista in an attempt to come off as democratic, allowed political parties to regroup and released many political prisoners, among those were Castro who went to exile in Mexico where he prepared the revolution.

The whole Mancada Assault provided Castro with the opportunity to be known by fellow citizens and launches the 26th of July movement known as the foundation of Castro's political movement.

The Granma Expedition (1956)

With 80 rebels Castro returned from exile aboard the overcrowded and poorly equipped yacht, Granma.  The Granma Expedition was unfortunately also a faliur. The urban arm of the 26th July Movement lead by Frank País had prepared a strike in Santiago de Cuba, however the radio aboard failed and therefore the coordination failed too. Castro failed to contact the land support, were spotted by government forces, landed in a swamp, forced to leave behind supplies and ammunition and were eventually ambushed at Alegría de Pío where only 12 survived and had to hide in the Sierra Maestra, regroup and emerge as the Rebel Army.
     It became harder and harder for Batista to be president. Several groups in the cities continued throughout 1957 and 1958 to rebel and tried to seize the presidential palace and murder Batista. He shot himself in the foot in his attempt to maintain order, he was so violent that it embittered the people against him.

Even though the Granma Expedition was a huge failure it marked the beginning of the armed struggle at a national level

The campaign in the Sierra Maestra Mountains (1956-59)

People all over Cuba felt attracted to the 26th of July Movement because; first, peasants could be in a army who would not suppress its own people, nor did the army steal, they paid for the food the peasants gave them, they respected the women, provided doctors, taught them how to read and write, and lastly if any soldier broke this code they were executed. The Rebel Army gave the people more than they had ever received from the Cuban government. Furthermore, the Rebel Army fought for an Agrarian Reform, promising the peasants a fairer distribution of the land.
      The rebels spread their words with the use of radios. The Rebelde Radio stated to broadcast from the territory of Free Cuba in the Sierra in 1958. Castro used the radio as a source were he could announce how the government censored the fights against Batista. The radio encourage people to rebel and they did; plant homemade bombs to blow up government installations, railways and public buildings. Furthermore they assasinated those they believe to be a counter revolutionary.
     In 1958 Castro had made contact with different political parties and under the Pact of Caracas (consisting of; main political parties including PSP) the majority of opposition recognized Castro as their leader, in the overthrow of Batista. The pact of course harmed Batista a lot since it openly exposed his political isolation. However, Batista did not want help, he even refused military and diplomatic help from the US, who were trying to prevent Castro coming to power. Sadly for Batista, he had to accept his defeat and eventually fled Cuba the 1 of January 1959. The government army refused to fight and ceasefire were quickly established. Castro and his men entered Havana and established a provisional government.

The Campaign in the Sierra Maestra was a huge success which ended in the Rebel Army victorious entering Havana City in January 1959




All information is from Pearsons 'History, 20th Century World, Authoritarian and single-Party States', 2010