Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
The Cuban Revolution, 1959 (Edexcel GCSE History)
Revision Note
Why was Cuba Important to the USA in the 1960s? - Timeline & Summary
Historically, Cuba held a lot of importance to the USA. The USA helped Cuba to fight against and free themselves from Spanish rule in 1898. Throughout the 20th century, US businesses developed in Cuba. The country contains an abundance of valuable raw materials like tobacco, rice and coffee. Sugar became Cuba's main export. By 1925, Cuba produced five million tons of the world's 25 million tons of sugar. In 1920, US banks financed and provided the technology for Cuba's sugar industry. Due to this context, the USA had a beneficial relationship with Cuba by the 1950s. The USA believed that its investment in Cuba's economy justified American input in Cuba's politics. Geographically, it was important for the USA to maintain a good relationship with Cuba. Cuba is only 90 miles away from Key West, Florida in the USA. An enemy of the USA could ally with Cuba to use its proximity to attack or invade the USA. |
US Involvement in Cuba Before 1959
The USA was incredibly involved in Cuba's economy
The USA relied on Cuba's sugar and tobacco exports
US businesses controlled and profited from Cuba's sugar trade. US businesses also owned all of Cuba's oil refineries, railways and electricity
As a result, the US attempted to control the political identity of Cuba
From the 1900s to the 1930s, the US military had suppressed three attempted revolutions in Cuba
In 1933, the US government supported a military coup by Sergeant Fulgencio Batista. Batista became the president of Cuba
Batista was a very corrupt leader
Batista stopped elections and refused to follow the Cuban Constitution
He allowed US businesses and rich Cubans to thrive while ignoring the struggles of the poor in society
American mobsters began illegal businesses in Cuba, which Batista allowed. This increased American tourism to Cuba
The USA ignored Batista's corruption
US businesses were profiting from his rule. As a result, the US government provided Batista with weapons to maintain control of Cuba
Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and the Cuban Revolution
In November 1956, revolutionary Fidel Castro began an uprising against Batista
He recruited Che Guevara to join his uprising
Castro began a guerrilla warfare campaign against the Cuban government
In 1958, the international media supported the Cuban revolutionaries
At this stage, the US government stopped giving money and soldiers to Batista's government
On 1st January 1959, Castro and Guevara's forces defeated Batista
The rebels reached Cuba's capital city, Havana
Batista fled from Cuba to the Dominican Republic
Castro formed a new government in 1959
US Issues With the Cuban Revolution
The issues discussed above affected the USA's relationship with Cuba in the 1960s
Eisenhower reduced trade with Cuba
In July 1960, the USA bought less sugar from Cuba
By October, Eisenhower began a trade embargo with Cuba
By 1961, US-Cuban relations had broken down
The US government ended their diplomatic relationship with Cuba
Cuba was pushed much closer to the Soviet Union
They relied on the Soviet Union, rather than the USA, for protection and trade
Exam Tip
An exam question could ask you to explain how the Cuban Revolution affected Cold War tensions. The influence of communism and the proximity of Cuba threatened the USA. An agreement with the Soviet Union could have caused Cuba to become a satellite state. The development of nuclear technology meant that ICBMs placed on Cuba could reach every part of the USA. The USA deemed this a significant threat to the country's safety. This threat encouraged the USA to act aggressively against Cuba.
Worked Example
Explain one consequence of the Cuban Revolution in 1959
4 marks
Answer:
One consequence of the Cuban Revolution was a breakdown in the USA's relationship with Cuba. Castro overthrew the pro-American Batista and created his own government in Cuba. Castro's government wanted less US influence on their economy. In February 1960, Castro formed an agreement with the Soviet Union. Khrushchev agreed to buy Cuban sugar and secretly gave Cuba weapons. The influence of communism in Cuba caused a breakdown in the USA's relationship with Cuba. In October 1960, Eisenhower began a trade embargo with Cuba and Cuba lost their economic support from the USA. Both countries lost their motivation to pursue diplomatic relations, which increased the likelihood of conflict.
Exam Tip
This question has previously asked you to explain two consequences. In the Superpower Relations exam paper for 2025, this question will ask you to explain one consequence. However, there will be two different "Explain one consequence of" questions, each worth four marks.
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