RISE TO POWER

- Castro's rise to power can be explained through the economic situation in cuba; "The
Cuban revolution was based upon widespread dissatisfaction with the economic,
social and political conditions prevailing on the island."
Theodore Draper's view on the impact of the economic situation on Castro's rise to
power

- Castro's rise to power cannot be explained through the economic situation in cuba;
"The Cuban Revolution was not based primarily on economic grievances against
Batista, but rather upon a profound moral revulsion against his dictatorship."
Arthur M. Schesigner's view on the impact of the economic situation on Castro's rise
to power
- Castro's rise to power can be explained through the guerilla war; "Fidel Castro's
brilliant guerrilla operations in Oriente between 1957 and 1959 had a major part in his
victory."
Hugh Thomas' view on the impact of the guerilla war on Castro's rise to power
- Castro's rise to power cannot be explained through the guerilla war; "Castro's guerrilla
war was of secondary importance to the Cuban Revolution. The real catalyst for
change was the mass mobilisation of the population against the Batista regime."
Thomas G. Paterson's view on the impact of the guerilla war on Castro's rise to power
- Castro's rise to power can be explained through Cuba's weak political system; "The
weakness of Cuba's political system was a major reason for the success of the Cuban
Revolution."
Robert A. Pastor's view on the impact of Cuba's political system on Castro's rise to
power
- Castro's rise to power cannot be explained through Cuba's weak political system; "The
failings of the Cuban political system were not a major factor in Castro's rise to
power. Rather, it was his strategic use of violence and personal charisma that enabled
him to gain support."
Hubert Mathews' view on the impact of Cuba's political system on Castro's rise to
power
- Castro's use of force explains his rise to power; "Fidel Castro used violence and terror
to secure power in Cuba, but it was also an essential part of his rise to power."
hugh thomas' view on the importance of Castro's use of force on his rise to power
- Castro's use of force does not explain his rise to power; "Castro's use of force was not
essential to his success. What truly drove his rise to power was his ability to harness
the popular discontent with the Batista regime."
Thomas G. Paterson's view on the importance of Castro's use of force on his rise to
power
- Castro’s rise to power can be attributed to his use of propaganda; "Castro used
propaganda to great effect, successfully cultivating a heroic image and inspiring his
followers to action."
wayne smith's view on castro's use of propaganda for his rise to power
 - Castro’s rise to power cannot be attributed to his use of propaganda; "Propaganda
played only a minor role in Castro's rise to power, compared to the revolutionary
tactics he employed."
Adam Jones' view on castro's use of propaganda for his rise to power
- Castro's rise to power can be explained through the role of his ideology; "The key to
understanding Castro's rise to power is his ability to articulate a compelling
revolutionary ideology that appealed to people across the social, economic and
political spectrum."
Hal Klepak's view on castro's use of ideology in his rise to power
- Castro's rise to power cannot be explained through the role of his ideology; "The idea
that ideology had a direct influence on Castro's rise to power is greatly exaggerated.
Rather, it was Castro's pragmatic approach to politics and his skill at articulating the
needs and grievances of his followers that proved decisive."
Tanya Harmer's view on the role of ideology in Castro's rise to power
- "a hedonistic playground for the world's elite", "narcotics were as easy to come by as
a shot of rum"
william morgan on the situation in havana
- "widespread dissatisfaction with the economic, social, and political conditions
prevailing in Cuba"
Draper on the reasons for Castro's rise
- US companies "dominated the island's economy"
Kennedy on the reasons for Castro's rise

AIMS AND RESULTS OF POLICIES

- General historiography on Castro's economic policies- Generally, historians view
Castro's economic policies as having a mixed legacy. His policies increased
employment, increased literacy rates, and improved access to healthcare, but also
caused significant economic inequality and shortages of basic necessities. His
economic policies also led to an exodus of thousands of Cubans who were seeking
greater economic opportunity abroad.
- Castro's economic policies were successful, but caused inequality; "Castro's economic
policies were successful in improving access to healthcare and education, but also
caused severe economic inequality and shortages of basic necessities."
Hal Kelpak's view on Castro's economic policies
- Castro's economic policies were successful in making people's lives better; "Castro's
economic policies provided unprecedented levels of social welfare, improved literacy
rates and were successful in bringing economic growth and stability to Cuba."
Mary Ann Glynn's view on Castro's economic policies
- Castro's economic policies failed massively; "Castro's economic policies brought
poverty, stagnation and widespread shortages of basic necessities, while failing to
stimulate economic growth."
Louis A. Perez Jr's view on Castro's economic policies
- General historiography of Castro's cultural policies. Generally, historians view
Castro's cultural policies as having a positive legacy. His efforts to promote socialism
and its values led to greater literacy, gender equality and improved access to
healthcare and education, while also preserving Cuba's unique cultural identity.
- Castro's cultural policies were a great success; "Castro's cultural policies led to
improved access to healthcare and education, as well as greater gender equality and
literacy levels, without sacrificing Cuba's unique cultural identity."
Federico Brito's view on Castro's cultural policies
- Castro's cultural policies were stifling and led to censorship; "Castro's policies of
promoting socialism led to increased censorship and limited freedom of expression,
stifling creativity and artistic expression.
Sanchez - Albornoz's view on Castro's cultural policies
- General historiography of Castro's religious policies. Generally, historians view
Castro's policies towards the church as having a negative legacy. His efforts to
suppress religion led to a decrease in the presence of the Catholic Church and other
religious institutions in Cuban society.
- Catro managed to remove the influence of the church; "Castro's policies towards the
church effectively eliminated the influence of the Catholic Church from Cuban
society."
Robert L. Jackson's view of Castro's policies on the church
- Castro's church policies were good for society; "Although Castro's policies towards
the church were restrictive, they also helped to create a more tolerant and accepting
attitude towards non-Catholic religions." -
Louis A. Perez Jr's view of Castro's policies on the church
- General historiography on Castro's policies on women. Generally, historians view
Castro's policies towards women as having a positive legacy. His efforts to promote
gender equality led to an increase in women's rights and opportunities in Cuban
society.
- Castro's policies on women were great; "Castro's policies towards women were
largely progressive, leading to a significant increase in women's rights and freedoms
in Cuba."
Marifeli Perez - Stable's view on Castro's policies on women
- Castro's policies on women reinforced traditional gender roles; "Although Castro's
policies towards women were expansive, they also helped to reinforce traditional
gender roles in Cuban society."
Lilian Guerra's view on Castro's policies on women
- General historiography on Castro's policies towards minorities. Generally, historians
view Castro's policies towards minorities as having a positive legacy. His efforts to
promote racial and ethnic equality led to an increase in minority rights and
opportunities in Cuban society.
- Castro's policies towards minorities were great; "Castro's policies towards minorities
were largely progressive, leading to a significant improvement in minority rights and
freedoms in Cuba."
Rafael Hernandez's view on Castro's policies towards minorities
 - Castro's policies towards minorities led to more repression; "Although Castro's
policies towards minorities were expansive, they also helped to reinforce the
hegemony of the Cuban state over its citizens."
Charles Forsdick's view on Castro's policies towards minorities
- General historiography on whether Castro created an authoritarian state. Generally,
historians view Castro's efforts to achieve authoritarian rule as largely successful. He
was able to consolidate power and created a totalitarian regime which sought to
control all aspects of Cuban society.
- Castro managed to create an authoritarian regime; "Castro was successful in his
efforts to create an authoritarian regime, eliminating all opposition and establishing a
totalitarian state."
barry b levine's view on whether castro created an authoritarian regime
- Castro's popularity led to increased authoritarianism; "Castro's policies towards the
poder popular, or grassroots organisations, were instrumental in strengthening his grip
on power and creating an authoritarian regime."
peter winn's view on whether castro created an authoritarian regime
- Castro's 1976 constitution and poder popular show that his rule was not as
authoritarian; "The 1976 Constitution, with its emphasis on social justice and
collective rights, demonstrates that Castro's rule was not as authoritarian as it is often
portrayed."
rafael hernandez's view on whether castro created an authoritarian regime
- "in its insittuional form has been eradicated, however, racism is still prevalent in
behaviour and attitudes"
Jonetta Cole on discrimination
- 'Cuba remained dependent upon the exportation of sugar for its wealth' - Leonard
- "it eliminated pluralism as the private sector was replaced by an increasingly
centralised command economy"- Edward Gonzalez

CONSOLIDATION OF POWER
- general historiography on Castro's use of the law for consolidation of power
- Generally, historians agree that the law was an important factor in Castro's
consolidation of power. Through a series of decrees and legal measures, Castro was
able to centralise power and solidify his position as leader of Cuba. Additionally, he
used the law to control political dissent and neutralise his opponents, allowing him to
remain in power for over five decades.
- Castro used the law to consolidate power effectively; "Castro built an effective
political machine by using the law to control dissent and by relying on an efficient
state bureaucracy."
Richard Gott's view on Castro's use of the law for consolidation
- Castro's consolidation was not due to the law; "The Cuban Revolution was not the
result of legal reforms or bureaucratic procedures, but of a formidable combination of
charisma, propaganda and popular mobilisation."
Enzo Traverso 's view on Castro's use of the law for consolidation
- general historiography on the use of propaganda and personality for Castro's
consolidation of power
- Yes, historians generally agree that charisma and propaganda were important
components of Castro's consolidation of power. Through powerful speeches and
effective use of symbolism, Castro was able to present himself as a larger-than-life
figure and inspire the Cuban people with his vision for a new Cuba. Additionally, he
used propaganda to control the media and manipulate public opinion in order to cast
himself as the only viable leader of Cuba.
- Castro's consolidation can be explained through his propaganda and charisma; "The
Cuban Revolution was characterised by a formidable combination of charisma,
propaganda and popular mobilisation."
Enzo Traverso's view on the use of propaganda and charisma in Castro's consolidation
of power
- Castro's consolidation cannot be explained through charisma or propaganda; "There
was nothing romantic or charismatic about the way in which the Cuban Revolution
was won: it was achieved through the material force of an armed militia."
Richard Gott's view on castro's use of propaganda in his consolidation of power
- general historiography on castro's sources of opposition
- Generally, historians agree that the sources of opposition to Castro were largely
divided between internal and external forces. Within Cuba, there were a number of
organisations and individuals who actively opposed the regime, including dissidents,
exiles, political prisoners, and independent journalists. Meanwhile, external forces
such as the United States and other foreign governments imposed economic sanctions
and other forms of pressure to try and weaken the Cuban government.
- Castro's opposition was both internal and external ; "The Cuban opposition has
always been a combination of internal and external forces, ranging from dissidents
and independent journalists inside Cuba to Miami-based exiles, international
solidarity networks and foreign governments." -
Rafael Rojas' view on the type of opposition faced by Castro
- Castro's opposition was mainly internal; "Despite US efforts to undermine the Cuban
government, the real challenge to Fidel Castro's power has come from within the
island, in the form of the 'dissident' or 'counterrevolutionary' movement and its
various activists."
Marifeli Perez Stable's view on the type of opposition faced by Castro
- general historiography on Castro's treatment of opposition
- Generally, historians agree that Castro and the Cuban government used a variety of
tactics to quash opposition and maintain their power. These tactics included
censorship and propaganda, as well as physical repression, such as the use of secret
police, arbitrary arrest, imprisonment, and execution. In addition, the government
relied heavily on the support of the Cuban people to ensure compliance with their
policies and prevent any potential opposition.
- Castro used repression to treat opposition; "Castro's regime was a combination of
repression and manipulation of public opinion to stay in power."
Tony Smith's view on Castro's use of repression to treat opposition
- Castro did not use repression in opposition; "Fidel Castro's government has never
used physical force against its opponents, but has instead relied on legal measures
such as exile and imprisonment to subdue dissent."
Elizardo Sanchez's view on Castro's use of repression to treat opposition
- general historiography on Castro's foreign policy
- Generally, historians view Fidel Castro's foreign policy as highly successful. He was
able to expand Cuban influence throughout Latin America and the Caribbean and
formed strong alliances with countries such as the Soviet Union and China. His
foreign policy was viewed as a major contributor to Cuba's economic success and
stability during and after his tenure as president.
- Castro's FP was successful; "Fidel Castro's foreign policy was highly successful,
contributing to Cuba's economic achievements and strengthening its international
standing."
Piero Gleijeses' view on Castro's FP
- Castro's FP was very important to end apartheid; "Fidel Castro's foreign policy had a
major impact on regional relations, particularly in South Africa and Angola where
Cuban forces were instrumental in helping to end apartheid."
Piero Gleijeses' view on Castro's FP in SA and Angola
- Castro's FP did more harm than good; "Fidel Castro's foreign policy was overly
aggressive and has done more harm than good to the Cuban people."
Ricard Immerman's view on Castro's FP