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Causes of the Cuban Civil War - Coggle Diagram
Causes of the Cuban Civil War
Social tensions:
poor and limited housing
lack of access to healthcare
Lack of access to education
literacy rate less than 50% in rural areas
Lack of access to clean water and electricity in rural areas
Economic Factors
Land and sugar mills were owned by a small elite.
Cuba relied heavily on sugar, earning the title ‘sugar bowl’ of the world.
The US paid higher-than-market prices for Cuban sugar but dominated Cuban trade.
Cuba needed sugar sales to afford key imports like oil.
Falling sugar prices increased the cost of imports, worsening Cuba’s financial struggles.
US agreements prevented Cuba from industrial growth and economic diversification.
Rates fluctuated—8% during harvest, 30% the rest of the year, with no unemployment benefits.
Inflation and business losses frustrated the middle and upper classes.
Political Issues:
Corruption in democratic systems
no effective democratic system
Elections not taking place
Castro's attempt to overthrow the regime
Batista's repeated coups
Batista's puppet presidents
Lack of strong opposition
suspension of constitution
Lack of reforms by Batista
Foreign Influence
Cuba was under US military occupation for 5 years
US had constitutional rights to intervene in Cuban Foreign affairs through the Platt Amendment
US owned half of Cuban land
Cuba had long term resentment to the US
US helped Cuba gain independence from Spain
US companies held interests in Cuban industries like sugar and tobacco
Electrical plants and companies in Cuba were owned in the US
Telephone systems in Cuba were owned by the US
US was the main market for Cuban exports
US ambassador the second most important person in Cuba
Cuban Civil War: Plausible Impacts
Third Revolutionary Law
[Profit-sharing for Sugar workers]
Ensured sugar workers receive 55% of profits.
Attack
: Sugar plantation owners and US sugar corporations dominating the Cuban economy
Fourth Revolutionary Law
[End of Corruption and Abuse of Power]
Promised honest governance, prosecution of corrupt officials, and restoration of constitutional rights suspended under Batista.
Attack
: Batista's regime and
Second Revolutionary Law
[Profit-sharing for workers]
Required industrial and mining companies to distribute 30% of profits to workers.
Attack
:wealthy business owners and foreign corporations
Fifth Revolutionary Law
First Revolutionary Law
[Land Reform]
Would grant ownership of land to squatters, farmers and sharecroppers.
Attack
: wealthy landowners