Hitler - Germany and Castro - Cuba - A comparative analysis (Part 1)

IB History - Paper 2

IB Paper 2 - Topic 10: Authoritarian states - Hitler's Germany and Castro's Cuba - A comparative analysis

This is the longest page on my website, sorry. It is my attempt to provide you with everything you might need to answer any exam question from Paper 2 on Topic 10: Authoritarian States.

This comparative analysis is not what generally happens in history lessons and is not something provided by any of the textbooks that have so far been produced. There is a good reason for this. Historians don’t usually do this sort of thing and history teachers are uncomfortable doing it. Historians tend to be specialists of particular times and places. It is sociologists and political scientists who do the generalisations and categorisations, typologies and comparisons that this type of exam requires (see videos below).

History teachers generally spend their time teaching about one authoritarian state after another. You have probably spent many weeks studying each authoritarian state in turn. But in the exam you have to plan and write a comparative analysis of two authoritarian states in only 45 minutes! You need to be prepared.

There are always three sections to a Paper 2 topic and the two essays in the exam are based on two of those three topics (see left). The questions usually require you to compare and contrast two states, often from different regions. (see past paper questions). Germany and Cuba provide two authoritarian state case studies from different IB regions and very different ideological perspectives. Despite the obvious differences there are plenty of similarites to consider. Ideally you should use this section as a model to produce your own comparative analysis of the authoritarian states you have studied in class. You can download some blank templates here.

In what follows I do three things.

Firstly, I summarise the main points of similarity and difference between the two regimes for each of the three sections of the syllabus.
Secondly, in a short film I explain in general what each section of the prescribed content means (e.g. what is coercion ).
Finally, I explain in more detail how each case study illustrates that particular part of the syllabus.

Section 1 - Emergence (Rise to Power) – Hitler and Castro
(Download printable version)

Summary

Similarities: Hitler and Castro capitalized on widespread socioeconomic discontent within their respective societies to gain popular support for their movements. Hitler exploited the economic hardships and political instability of post-World War. Both leaders appealed to nationalist sentiments to rally support for their causes. Hitler's Nazism exalted German nationalism and sought to restore Germany's greatness through territorial expansion and racial purity. Castro's Cuban Revolution emphasized national sovereignty and anti-imperialism, calling for the liberation of Cuba from foreign domination, particularly U.S. influence. Both were typical of their time: Hitler was part of a European authoritarian rejection of pre-war liberal capitalism; Castro was part of a global anti-colonial movement which had begun in India and South-East Asia. Germany, promising to restore national pride and prosperity. Castro capitalized on the grievances of marginalized groups in Batista's Cuba, such as the rural poor and urban working class, who suffered under a corrupt and repressive regime. Both Hitler and Castro possessed strong charismatic leadership qualities that allowed them to inspire and mobilize supporters. They were powerful orators who effectively conveyed their visions for radical change and captured the imagination of their followers.

Differences: Castro distinguished himself as a guerrilla leader in the mountains of Cuba, leading the struggle against the Batista regime. His military leadership and tactical intelligence contributed to the success of the revolution and earned him widespread admiration among supporters. Hitler’s failed coup in 1923 led him to change strategies and develop a powerful political persona in order to win power using the democratic system. Through his oratory skills and mastery of propaganda techniques, he centralized power in himself and the Nazi Party, surrounding himself with loyalists and eliminated potential rivals through purges and intimidation. The international contexts of Hitler's and Castro's rise to power differed significantly. Hitler's rise occurred amidst the aftermath of World War I and the Great Depression, while Castro's revolution unfolded in the context of Cold War rivalries and anti-imperialist movements in Latin America. Hitler came to power through legal means within the framework of the Weimar Republic's democratic system, albeit through manipulation and exploitation of the political process. In contrast, Castro's rise to power was achieved through armed revolution, overthrowing the Batista regime by force. While both leaders pursued radical transformations of their societies, their ideological orientations were fundamentally different. Hitler's Nazism was rooted in extreme nationalism, racism, and anti-Semitism, aiming to establish a dictatorship based on Aryan supremacy. In contrast, Castro's communism was inspired by Marxist-Leninist ideology, advocating for the establishment of a socialist state that prioritized social equality and collective ownership of resources.

Conditions

What the IB identifies as the 'conditions' which bring authoritarian states to power are a series of structural factors that create a context that makes the rise to power of an authoritarian state more likely.

Put simply, authoritarian regimes are unusual in countries that are rich, socially stable and that have a tradition of constitutionally limited, civilian government. If they do emerge in these sorts of countries, it is usually the result of a crisis situation brought about by external factors such as war or international economic crisis. The IB syllabus identifies four aspects to this: economic instability, social division, political weakness and war.

Economic factors can help bring to power authoritarian states for a variety of reasons. Economic crises can create social unrest and dissatisfaction among the populace who consequently seek a change in government. Authoritarian leaders may exploit this discontent by offering stability and strong leadership as a solution to economic woes.

Economic elites may support authoritarian regimes if they perceive them as protecting their interests, such as maintaining favourable business conditions, suppressing labour movements, or safeguarding their wealth from redistribution. This was the case in 1930s Germany.

Alternatively, income inequality can lead to feelings of resentment and marginalization among certain segments of the population and corruption can undermine trust in institutions and political processes. Authoritarian leaders may capitalize on this by promising to address inequality and redistribute wealth, promising to root out corruption and establish order, gaining support from those disillusioned with the existing system. This was the case in Cuba.

Hitler's Germany

Castro's Cuba

Germany was particularly badly hit by the global depression, because it was dangerously exposed to American loans that were provided (Dawes 1924, Young 1928) in order to enable Germany to pay First World War reparations. It was the 1930s Depression that created the political crisis that Weimar Germany could not resolve. There is a direct correlation between rising unemployment in Weimar Germany after 1929 and an increase in the number of votes for anti-democratic parties. In 1932, the peak of the Depression, unemployment in Germany stood at over 30%. In the July 1932 Reichstag elections, the Nazis became the largest party, winning over 37% of the vote.

The Nazi party forged close ties with German industrialists and corporate interests. Economic elites, fearing the spread of socialism and communism, often aligned themselves with Hitler's authoritarian regime, seeing it as a bulwark against leftist movements and labour unrest. Thyssen was a prominent German industrialist and steel magnate who provided significant financial support to the Nazi Party in the early 1930s. Alfred Hugenberg was a media mogul and one of Germany's wealthiest industrialists. Hugenberg's financial support played a crucial role in bolstering the Nazi Party's influence in the media and shaping public opinion.

Hitler’s Nazis promised to end unemployment and revive the German economy. Hitler pledged to create jobs through large-scale public works projects, infrastructure development, and military expansion.

Economic factors did not directly trigger the revolution in Cuba, but they did create a context of instability. Cuba was characterized by extreme economic inequality, with a small elite (often foreign) controlling much of the country's wealth and resources while the majority of the population lived in poverty. In the 1950s the price of sugar declined causing recessions. Unemployment was 17% in 1957.

This inequality was exacerbated by the dominance of American-owned businesses in key sectors of the Cuban economy e.g. United Fruit Company was one of the largest American corporations in Cuba criticized for their exploitative labour practices. Standard Oil (ESSO), one of the largest oil companies in the world at the time, had substantial interests in Cuba's oil industry. Cuba had become dependent on the USA buying sugar at inflated prices in return for which the USA got preferential access to Cuban markets.

The economic grievances of the Cuban people were compounded by widespread discontent with the corrupt and repressive regime of Fulgencio Batista, who ruled Cuba with the support of the United States. Batista's regime was widely perceived as serving the interests of the elite while neglecting the needs of the majority.

Fidel Castro and the revolutionary movement promised to address Cuba's economic inequalities and improve the living standards of the Cuban people. Castro's revolutionary platform included land reform, nationalization of key industries, and the redistribution of wealth to benefit the Cuban population as a whole.

Social Division

Social division is concerned with how divisions between groups of people in society make it difficult for the state to peacefully manage a community of competing interests. Social division comes in many forms: class, religious, ethnic, tribal, national, linguistic, gender, age etc.

Undoubtedly, one of the most important social divisions behind the rise to power of modern authoritarian is class. The rise of the new industrial working class, with its demands for democratic representation, fundamentally threatened the continuing domination by economic, social, and political elites.

The authoritarian regimes that emerged in the early 20th century were either authoritarian states claiming to be representing the interests of working class/peasants against the old elites or authoritarian states that protected the interests of old elites against the revolutionary demands of the working class/peasants. The former were generally communist (Castro) and the latter varieties of fascist (Hitler).

Hitler's Germany

Castro's Cuba

Germany's society was deeply stratified along class lines, with significant disparities in wealth, privilege, and opportunity. Germany's regional diversity and disparities in economic development contributed to social divisions within the country. The Nazi Party’s strongest support base was often in economically depressed regions, such as the industrial Ruhr Valley, where unemployment and social dislocation were particularly acute.

The interwar period also witnessed tensions between different generations, with older Germans often clinging to traditional values and institutions while younger generations embraced new ideas and ideologies. The Nazis appealed to disaffected urban youth with promises of radical change and national renewal, but also appealed to older, rural conservatives with their rejection of the perceived decadence of the Weimar era. Germany was a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society, but the rise of Nazism was accompanied by increasing intolerance towards minority groups, particularly Jews, Roma, and other marginalized communities.

The Nazi Party exploited these social divisions by portraying itself as the champion of the "Volksgemeinschaft" (people's community).

The social divisions in Cuba were even more pronounced than in Germany and accentuated by US economic imperialism. A small elite controlled much of the country's wealth and resources while the majority of the population lived in poverty. Latifundia were common in pre-revolutionary Cuba. These vast estates, typically sugar plantations were owned by wealthy individuals, foreign companies, or absentee landlords, controlled significant portions of the country's arable land. American corporations, owned up to 25-30% of Cuba's agricultural land. In addition, corruption during the Baptista regime permeated all levels of society, undermining public trust in the government and exacerbating social inequalities.

Many rural areas lacked basic infrastructure and social services, exacerbating poverty and inequality in the countryside. Educational opportunities were limited for many Cubans, particularly those from marginalized communities. Racial discrimination and inequality were pervasive in Cuban society, with Afro-Cubans facing systemic discrimination in employment, housing, education, and other areas. Access to quality education was often determined by socio-economic status, with wealthier families having greater access to educational resources and opportunities. Roughly 20-24% of the population was illiterate at that time.

Weakness of the political system

Political factors that contribute to the rise of authoritarian regimes are concerned with governance and power. A state that is failing politically to control its territory is in danger of being overthrown.

If in addition a country has little or no tradition of constitutional government or if democratic government has been discredited by an inability to govern effectively, then it is more likely that authoritarian regimes will come to power.

Both Weimar Germany and Batista’s Cuba were weakened political systems but for very different reasons. Weimar Germany was a model democratic system whose legitimacy was undermined by a failure to deal with a socio-economic crisis. Batista’s Cuba was an authoritarian regime was legitimacy was undermined by political injustice, corruption, and an absence of accountable government.

Another key difference between the two regimes was that Hitler came to power through a democratic system, even if neither Germany nor Cuba had an established democratic tradition.

Hitler's Germany

Castro's Cuba

Students are often encouraged to identify potential weaknesses in the fact the electoral system of proportional representation (PR) allowed smaller extremist political parties like the Nazis to have a national voice and that Article 48 of the constitution allowed the president to rule by decree without the consent of the Reichstag (parliament), but the reality is that the political system only really began to fail after the onset of the Depression in 1930. Post-war Weimar democracy struggled to survive. But it did survive, despite 'weak' PR induced coalition governments and presidents Ebert and von Hindenburg both using infamous Article 48.

The lack of a well-established ‘participant’ or democratic political culture meant that was little understanding of or support for the sort of liberal traditions and institutions to be found elsewhere in western Europe. Nazis and Communists had paramilitary wings that engaged in ritual disruption and intimidation of rival meetings that meant that elections were never completely free or fair.

If we are going to identify the most important political causes of Hitler's rise to power, they are to be found less in the underlying structural weaknesses of the constitution and more in the actions of the political elites in the period immediately before 1933 who helped Hitler into power. (See methods ideology below)

Batista ruled through military dictatorship, having seized power in a coup d'état in 1952. Political opposition was effectively silenced through intimidation, violence, and the curtailment of civil liberties, creating an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. Political opposition was marginalized and excluded from the political process, depriving ordinary Cubans of meaningful representation and participation in decision-making. The absence of democratic institutions and mechanisms further undermined the legitimacy of the government.

The Batista regime was notorious for its corruption and cronyism, with government officials and business elites enriching themselves at the expense of the Cuban people. Political favouritism and nepotism were widespread, leading to the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a small elite.

The Batista regime was heavily dependent on foreign interests, particularly American corporations, and organized crime syndicates, which had significant influence over Cuba's economy and politics. Foreign-owned companies controlled key sectors of the economy, including sugar production, tourism, and gambling, while exerting considerable influence over government. In the end the unwillingness of the American government to continue to support the Batista regime was critical to the success of Castro’s rise to power.

War

For democracy to be effective there must be a culture of toleration, compromise, and open rational debate, a peaceful social interaction that revolves around the participation of individuals who respect each other’s human rights. War produces just the opposite condition. War needs individuals subsumed to the interests of the group: the nation and the fatherland. It is the emotions of patriotism and hatred of the other, not reason and empathy that are the most welcome characteristics.

And for those who actually do the fighting and the killing, there are the long-term effects of social alienation, dehumanization and comradeship which can make it very difficult to re-adjust to peacetime conditions and civilian authority.Authoritarian states are regularly created in the aftermath of wars, civil wars, and coup d’états, where the role of the military has been essential to the successful creation of an authoritarian regime. The existence of a sympathetic section of the army or a well-armed civilian population is often essential to the revolutionary capture of a state and this militarised state is most commonly found in time of war. When the new regime is established, it will naturally retain some of the characteristics of its foundation: militaristic cultural values such as loyalty and discipline, a respect for military authority and military leaders reluctant to hand over authority to civilian leaders.

Hitler's Germany

Castro's Cuba

War was important in helping to form Hitler as a character and those who supported the Nazis. It also helped to create the economic instability that the Nazis exploited (see above). But unlike in Italy and Russia, war did not have a direct impact on the rise to power.

Hitler's experience as a soldier during World War I was formative in his political radicalization. The disillusionment and trauma of war, combined with Germany's defeat and the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, fuelled Hitler's resentment towards the Weimar Republic and his belief in the stab-in-the-back myth. Many ex-soldiers were attracted to the Nazi Party’s emphasis on militarism and its vision of a powerful, disciplined society. Hitler's paramilitary organization, the Sturmabteilung (SA) attracted those who sought a sense of purpose and belonging in their ranks. They helped organise the street violence, rallies, and demonstrations to intimidate political opponents and spread their message. But it is important to remember that the attempted military uprising in Munich 1923 failed.

The financial cost of World War I imposed a heavy burden on Germany's economy. The war effort drained the country's resources, depleted its gold reserves, and led to soaring levels of public debt. The German government resorted to borrowing heavily, both domestically and internationally. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, imposed reparations set at £6,600m. The government implemented austerity measures and fiscal reforms. These measures included cuts to public spending, tax increases, and efforts to balance the budget. However, austerity measures also contributed to social hardship and exacerbated inequalities.

Although Castro’s rise to power did not come about as a consequence of a major war, it did come about as a result of an armed uprising and the use of a guerrilla war strategies. (see methods below.

Methods

Force (coercion).

If we are forced to, we might argue that the context in which authoritarianism arose in Germany and Cuba were more similar than the methods employed by the historical agents who brought about change. This is because the methods employed are so clearly different.

Hitler came to power through largely democratic and constitutional means and was largely (albeit accidentally) helped into power by powerful forces amongst the German elite, whereas Castro came to power through violent means and was resisted every step of the way by the powerful elites.

This distinction might hold for left wing and right-wing authoritarianism in general. Powerful elites when faced with a socio-economic crisis turn to the anti-communist (populist) right in order to avoid a revolution that will threaten their hold on power.

This is, of course, an oversimplification and you will find plenty of similarities in the methods employed below, but…

Hitler's Germany

Castro's Cuba

Hitler infamously failed to achieve power through an armed coup (putsch) in Munich in 1923 and from 1924 apparently committed the Nazis to constitutional route to power through winning elections. The Wall Street Crash and Great Depression transformed the party’s electoral success and in 1933 Hitler was appointed chancellor but…

Throughout the 1920s, the SA engaged in acts of political violence and intimidation against rival political parties, particularly communists and socialists. SA members frequently clashed with left-wing groups in street battles and skirmishes, aiming to assert Nazi dominance and suppress opposition. The use of violence helped to create an atmosphere of fear and instability, which benefited the Nazis by undermining confidence in the Weimar Republic and traditional political institutions.

The violence was particularly important during elections. Military leaders and the German ruling class feared that escalating political violence and radicalization could lead to civil war. Given this context, some military leaders (and Hjalmar Schacht and von Papen) saw the appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor in January 1933 as a way to restore order and stability to Germany, even if it meant making compromises with the Nazi Party.

Violence was also central to what happened immediately after Hitler was elected. The role of the SA during the Reichstag Fire crisis and passing of the Enabling Act marked the end of the democratic route to power and the beginnings of coercive consolidation.

As in Germany there was an initial failure in the armed uprising, i.e. Battle of Moncada Barracks (July 26, 1953). But unlike in Germany, the military struggle continued.

Granma Landing (December 2, 1956): The Granma landing marked the beginning of the armed phase of the Cuban Revolution. Fidel Castro, along with Che Guevara established a guerrilla base in the Sierra Maestra mountains and began organizing the resistance against the Batista regime.

Battle of Santa Clara (December 28-30, 1958): Che Guevara led a column of rebel forces in an assault on the city of Santa Clara, which was a key strategic stronghold held by Batista's army. The capture of Santa Clara effectively signalled the end of Batista's regime and paved the way for the collapse of his government.

Siege of Santiago de Cuba (January 1-2, 1959): The city was besieged by Castro's forces, who launched a final assault on Batista's stronghold. After two days of heavy fighting, Batista's army surrendered, and Santiago de Cuba fell to the rebels. The capture of Santiago de Cuba marked the culmination of the revolution and the beginning of Fidel Castro's rule in Cuba.

Propaganda (influence)

The role of propaganda was central to the rise to power of both regimes. Despite the different methods followed (‘democratic’ v military) both processes were very popular and to some extent this popularity is to be explained by the appeal of the respective party ideas and the effectiveness of the propaganda message.

Given the importance of winning electoral support and the brilliant effectiveness of Goebbels' campaigns it might be argued that propaganda was more important in Germany. In Cuba, action was more important than words and propaganda was more about motivating supporters to act rather than persuading citizens to vote.

Hitler's Germany

Castro's Cuba

Hitler and the Nazi Party organized large-scale mass rallies and events to attract supporters and project an image of strength and unity. Events like the annual Nuremberg Rallies were carefully choreographed to showcase Hitler as a charismatic leader capable of uniting the German people.

The Nazi Party utilized various forms of mass media, including newspapers and posters, to disseminate its message and promote Hitler as a strong and visionary leader. Joseph Goebbels played a key role in controlling the flow of information and shaping public opinion in favour of the Nazis. Der Stürmer (The Attacker) was a weekly newspaper founded by Julius Streicher in 1923 that became notorious for its extreme anti-Semitic content.

Hitler was portrayed as a messianic figure and the saviour of the German people (see below). Propaganda emphasized his charisma, leadership qualities, and ability to restore Germany's greatness. Hitler's image was carefully crafted to evoke strong emotions and inspire loyalty among his followers.

How propaganda was used reflected the fact that Cuba was not an open, urban, literate democratic society like Weimar Germany had been. The Cuban media was subject to censorship and control by the Batista government.

Propaganda was important within the movement. Fidel Castro used grassroots organizing, word-of-mouth communication, and direct engagement with communities. International media coverage, solidarity movements, and support from sympathetic governments and organizations played a crucial role in shaping perceptions of the revolution and influencing public opinion both within Cuba and abroad.

The Cuban revolutionary movement utilized illegal radio broadcasts (Radio Rebelde), pamphlets and manifestos (e.g. March 12, 1958), posters, and public speeches. These forms of communication were often more accessible and effective in reaching the broader population, especially in rural areas where literacy rates may have been lower.

Leaders

The IB’s emphasis on the role of leaders requires us to consider the actions of both Hitler and Castro in their ‘emergence’. But we should also be aware that in taking power, they were also removing leaders who had through their actions (or inactions) failed to hold on to power. The actions of von Papen and Hindenburg in Germany (see above) and Fulgencio Batista in Cuba also need to be considered.

Hitler and Castro shared obvious similarities as ‘charismatic’ orators who engendered loyal, sometimes fanatical support from their followers. But they also had significant differences that reflected the distinctive military (Castro) and civilian (Hitler) rise to power. Much of what is written above also needs to be seen in terms of the actions of Hitler and Castro in either exploiting opportunities or initiating successful strategies.

Hitler

Castro

Following his release from prison in 1924, Hitler focused on rebuilding and reorganizing the Nazi Party, which had been banned after the failed Munich Putsch in 1923. He restructured the party, expanded its membership, and turned into a nationally organised party. He focused on participating in elections, building alliances with other right-wing parties, and exploiting the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic's democratic system.

Hitler and the Nazi Party utilized propaganda and mass rallies to spread their message, promote Nazi ideology, and attract supporters. Joseph Goebbels played a central role in orchestrating propaganda campaigns that portrayed Hitler as a strong and charismatic leader who could solve Germany's problems.

In January 1933, Hitler negotiated his position and held out until President Paul von Hindenburg appointed him Chancellor of Germany. Hjalmar Schacht and von Papen also played an important role in persuading Hindenburg that Hitler could be controlled. After becoming Chancellor, Hitler moved quickly to consolidate his power and dismantle democratic institutions. The Reichstag Fire in February 1933 provided a pretext for suppressing political opposition, and the passage of the Enabling Act in March 1933 gave Hitler dictatorial powers, allowing him to govern by decree and effectively eliminate all opposition.

Fidel Castro emerged as a prominent leader of the 26th of July Movement, which sought to overthrow the authoritarian regime of Fulgencio Batista. The movement was named after the failed attack on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba on July 26, 1953, which marked the beginning of Castro's revolutionary activities. In December 1956, Castro and a small group of revolutionaries, including Che Guevara, returned to Cuba and launched a guerrilla war from the Sierra Maestra mountains. (see above for details)

Castro's revolutionary movement gained widespread support among peasants, workers, students, and intellectuals who were disillusioned with Batista's dictatorship and inspired by Castro's vision of social justice and national liberation. The 26th of July Movement capitalized on popular discontent and mobilized support through propaganda, recruitment drives, and appeals to nationalist sentiments. The 26th of July Movement used propaganda to spread their message and garner support for the revolution. They emphasized revolutionary ideals such as social justice, anti-imperialism, and agrarian reform, while demonising Batista as a corrupt dictator in the pay of American interests.

Ideology

As the film opposite makes clear, the importance of ideology in a regime is one of the most important features of a totalitarian (as opposed to mere authoritarian) regime.

This final section is concerned with the ideas embodied in the two revolutionary movements and why these ideas appealed to large numbers of people. Ideology was clearly important to both and although the ideas were in principle ideologically opposed, they could appeal to similarly wide group of people. In both ideologies – German Nazism and Cuban socialism – there was a nationalist dimension that rejected foreign influence in the country. Less obvious was the rejection of liberal capitalism that was also common to both.

Hitler's Germany

Castro's Cuba

On coming to power, Hitler like Mussolini had broad appeal. Nazism had its believers; it was an untested ideology that enjoyed the attraction of the new and modern.

The rejection of democracy was central to Nazi ideology, and this appealed to important people. The ruling elite of politicians and civil servants, military and business leaders who had come to prominence during the time of the Emperor and the Second Reich had little time for democracy and feared the rise of communism. In addition, the Weimar Republic's ground-breaking developments in various artistic and intellectual fields was accompanied by a social and sexual liberation which many conservatives found deeply unsettling. Nazism was able to draw on those sentiments of nostalgia and nationalism and provide an ideological vision that combined these traditional conservative goals with a revolutionary vitalism, anti-leftism, and the belief in a strong leader.

During the Great Depression, when Germany was suffering from mass unemployment, hyperinflation, and economic hardship, the Nazis promised to revive the economy, create jobs, and restore prosperity.

Anti-Semitism propagated by the Nazis struck a chord with many Germans who were susceptible to scapegoating and conspiracy theories. Nazi propaganda blamed Jews for Germany’s economic woes portrayed them as parasites and traitors and advocated for their exclusion and eventual extermination.

Castro's socialist revolution was framed as a struggle for national liberation and sovereignty, particularly against the legacy of U.S. intervention in Cuban affairs. At the beginning it was more nationalist (Cubiana) than socialist. The government prioritized national development and self-sufficiency, promoting Cuban culture, identity, and independence from external influences.

Castro's opposition to U.S. imperialism and his commitment to national sovereignty resonated with many Cubans who were disillusioned with American dominance in Latin America. Castro's defiance of U.S. influence and his willingness to challenge American hegemony in the region earned him support from anti-imperialist movements worldwide.

Castro's socialist ideology emphasized the need for social justice, equality, and solidarity. His revolutionary government implemented policies aimed at addressing longstanding inequalities in Cuban society, including land redistribution, nationalization of industries, and expansion of social welfare programs. These measures appealed to peasants, workers, and marginalized groups who had long suffered from economic exploitation and social discrimination.

Part 2 - Consolidation and maintenance of power