Saturday, February 15, 2014
Castro: A Rebel without a cause?
This historiographical essay discusses conflicting ideas about Castro's true ideology. Was he truly a communist, or did he do this simply to spite the United States? To what extent does he use religion as a way to rally the masses behind him? Consider the different historian's ideas about Castro--which do you feel are the most convincing, and why?
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The reading describes that neutrality was not an option during the cold war. either you are for or against America or for or against the USSR. Because Castro wanted to separate ties with the US Joining the USSR and their politics of communist seemed to be the only available alternative that could succeed. Castro himself was a catholic and allowed catholics to join the Cuban Communist Party. By doing so those of the same religion as him were more likely to support him because they would have related to his beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI think Castro became communist to spite the US because the reading mentions how communism was adopted for expedient reasons and to become closer with the USSR. Under Castro's traditionalism is where we see religion being used to rally the masses; Castro used Cuban religious tradition in his speeches to appeal to the people. In my opinion, Leyceter Coltman is most convincing because it all makes sense that Castro had some "special affinity with the Cuban people", and that feeling was more important than argument.
ReplyDeleteI agree most with the argument that Castro was forced into being communist because the bi-polar tendencies of the time only offered two options: either side with the US or side with the Soviet Union. Like the article states he was "unable to be genuinely independent." Further, this argument states that he only adopted a "communist" agenda because he did not want to side with the US. He was not drawn the Soviet Union because of its ideals but because of their shared enmity towards [the] greater foe."
ReplyDeleteCastro was forced into Communism because there was no such thing as neutrality. He did not want to side with either the US or USSR; he wanted to be independent. This may have also been a tactic to show the US his independence; he did not want to be involved with the US and Communism was a threat to the US. This could have been an intimidation method. He used religion as a way to sway Catholic Cubans; you usually are more likely to support people who have the same background, beliefs, or lifestyle as you.
ReplyDeleteWe read before that Castro did not really have a straight idea of the kind of communist he was and wanted to be. Even people that were very close to him could barely explain his actual political direction. Of course, in the time of the cold war, if you were a communist you were automatically associated with the UssR and therefore against America. I find it interesting that Castro was actually not seen as enemy of the USA before he overthrew Batista, because he gave himself as humanist rather then specify a political ideology. But as soon as he associated with Che Guevara, it was obvious that he had to have the split from the US.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Castro sided with communism is because he really was forced to. At the time, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He resented the idea of joining the Americans. However, at the same time, he couldn't side with the USSR either. He was unable to be in depended so he sided with the side he agreed more to it than what the americans had to offer.
ReplyDeleteAs Sydney said, It was a two sided war with very little neutrality. Since the US attacked Cuba, it was Castro's only choice to side with the USSR. Was it his first choice? I don't think so, but it was his only choice. The essay also spoke about how Castro allowed groups of people to join his party such as catholics, so was his decision fueled by his common communistic ideals with the USSR? I don't believe so.
ReplyDeleteCastro despised the US and communism was Their mortal enemy. Combine the fact that Castro felt pressured out of neutrality and he had to pick a side. For him it didn't seem to matter as long has he could flaunt his country's independence at the US. In fact Castro wanted independence more than anything. He didn't even want to be apart of the USSR. Castro implemented religion as a ploy to gain support from the vast numbers of Catholic Cubans.
ReplyDeleteThe reading was quite interesting to me because it provides a perspective that pounders about Castro's true initiative of siding with USSR, accordingly, Castro was never quite a pure communist and he only did it because Cuba shares similar enmity toward US imperialism and he needed the rigors of communism administration to rally the mass that was left in Cuba after betista's collapse. I think there is no sharp black or white answer about Castro 's true motive of declare Cuba as communism state, his kept quite a balanced and cheered leadership. Speaking of true communist or just a cope to impose his regime, I heavily agree with Hobsbawm's take on this one, which says Castro and communist party need each other and they converged. There is no clear answer to the question that if one likes apple because it is apple or because the taste of the apple.
ReplyDeleteCastro was a Socialist that sided with Russia out of necessity. The embargo solidified the fact that Cuba's economy was crippled without the aid of a superpower, so to speak. Seeing that there was merit in escaping capitalism and joining along side a potential sugar daddy (get it?), Castro pledged his allegiance to the USSR. Castro held both Socialist and communists beliefs that were visible through his policies in all of their facets. Castro had to be dependent on something because of the shambles that were the Cuban economy, and the waning labor force. Russia bought nearly all exports that Cuba had to offer.
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