Learning objective: Explain the tactics Castro used in the Sierra Maestra and why the support of

the peasants would be crucial for him

Journey to the Sierra Maestra, November 1956

In an attempt to overthrow Batista again by using force, Castro and 80 other rebels ( including Che
Guevara ) boarded a boat called the Granma in Mexico and sailed to Cuba. When the Granma eventually
arrived, it ran aground off the designated landing point, forcing the sick, exhausted, and hungry
revolutionaries to carry their heavy equipment ashore through the shallows and the mudflats. Batista’s
air force soon spotted them, and they were attacked by planes and warships, with the threat that the
army would soon arrive, too. Outnumbered, Castro led the remaining survivors into the Sierra Maestra
mountains. Batista did not follow Castro, stating that “no one survives the Sierra Maestra”

Castro’s tactics in the Sierra Maestra

Batista’s army compounded the rebels’ advantages by adopting a reactive strategy intended to contain
Castro’s forces. They did not engage the rebels with counter-insurgency tactics but relied on their main
advantages (US-supplied military equipment, including tanks, aircraft, and artillery) and remained within
their heavily defended garrisons. This made them static targets for the rebels who were rapidly learning
the importance of mobility and surprise in their attacks. The rebels often attacked army patrols to grab
weapons and ammunition before disappearing back into the dense forests of the Sierra Maestra. The
army’s brutal methods of interrogation played into Castro’s hands by increasing still further the local
peasants’ support for his rebels. It also led to increasingly demoralizing Batista’s army.

In contrast, Castro’s forces (the Fidelistas) were under strict instructions to avoid brutality with civilians
or captured enemy soldiers. The torture or murder of prisoners was forbidden and, if the situation
permitted, an enemy’s wounds would be treated. However, if any person (Fidelista, civilian or soldier)
was found guilty of crimes against the peasants he would be (after a brief trial) executed by the unit
leader or the injured party. Most peasants saw this harsh but effective brand of revolutionary justice as
far fairer than the corrupt police and legal system

Castro had not intended to wage the war from a rural base, but his own disastrous landing with the
Granma meant that he had to adjust his plans. He abandoned the initial strategy (to inspire an urban-
based campaign of sabotage, insurrection, and guerrilla activity) in favor of a rural guerrilla campaign,
which soon developed into full-scale engagements with the army in the Sierra Maestra. This shows one
of the factors that led to Castro’s eventual success: his movement’s flexibility and his willingness to
adapt to the normal lives of the peasants. They felt safe to do this, trusting the citizens of Oriente to not
hand them over to the police or army. This only helped to secure Castro’s position in the public
consciousness as the only opponent to Batista’s regime who had a chance of success.

Questions

What were the tactics that Castro used against Batista’s forces in the Sierra Maestra?

Answer: Rebels relied in their own advantages which were; US-supplied military equipment, including
tanks, aircraft, and artillery. Rebels focused in attacking army parlots with the intention to gain weapons
and ammunition.

How did Castro gain the support of the peasants?

Answer: they made an agreement that said that the could not harm any peasants or the would be
executed. “Most peasants saw this harsh but effective brand of revolutionary justice as far fairer than
the corrupt police and legal system”

Why would the support of the peasants be crucial for Castro?

Answer: Castro wanted to gain peasants trust so that he could improve his image and his position with
the public and also to get more allies.

Continue watching the Castro documentary attached to the lesson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0952Hj4fWw&t=493s
This time continue watching from where you finished in the last lesson at 13 minutes 07 seconds
only until 20 minutes and 12 seconds today. Then answer the following questions from the video

Video question:

1. What impact would the New York Times front page article and the CBS interview with
Castro have on his image and popularity in Cuba at the time?

Answer: three months after the attack rebels appeared in the front page of the New York times. The
legend of Castro has been written, it described Castro as a strong man with strong ideals. The
interview helped Castro share his ideals and goals for this rebellion, it also helped to leave Batista in
a bad shape. People started rebelling and Castro had a better image in front of people.