The Mid-1960s

During the middle and late 1960s, the revolutionary government debated and experimented with different forms of socialism. The central question was: Should Cuba tend to the Soviet model, which emphasized central planning and the motivation of workers through rewards for meeting the centrally planned goals? Or should it tend to the Chinese model, which emphasized education and training to develop workers whose motivation to work for the state was based on heightened consciences? The fidelistas, those faithful to Fidel Castro, debated with the guevaristas, those who approved of Che Guevara's essentially Maoist approach, and both groups banded together to debate with the old-line communists who favored quotas and material incentives. Part of the social experimentation involved a strong campaign against bureaucrats and private property; at one point, small businesses were nationalized, despite the fact that as private enterprises they were contributing significantly to the economy.

During these debates, economic problems led to a very negative balance of trade. The only solution appeared to lie in the sugar industry, and the entire society subsequently engaged in an all-out effort to meet a 1970 production goal of 10 million tons of sugar. This was an unrealistic goal to begin with—the highest level of production Cuba had ever attained was 7.2 million tons in 1952, and the norm in the 1960s was between 4 and 5 million tons per year—but Cuba nevertheless managed to produce 8.5 million tons in 1970.

Those 8.5 million tons were not produced, however, without damage to other areas of the economy, and to Castro's reputation. His authoritarian attitudes had already caused some criticism of his personal style and a lessening of popular support. Now, Cuba's failure to produce those 10 million tons cast doubt on the overall effectiveness of the regime.

In the meantime, Cuba was beginning to assume a leadership role among Third World countries. In 1979, Cuba hosted the summit conference of nonaligned nations, and chaired that conference between 1979 and 1982.

The 1970s

In response to the failure of 1970 and worsening overall conditions, Castro moved toward a somewhat more pragmatic stance. He focused on improving the economy and increasing participation of the masses. Moral incentives were de-emphasized and more practical central planning encouraged. The population was mobilized through membership in various government-controlled mass organizations.

For economic support, Cuba moved closer to the Soviet Bloc, strengthening its ties with both the USSR and the Eastern bloc nations. Relations with various states in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean were repaired or strengthened. Resulting preferential trade agreements boosted the Cuban economy; economic conditions improved and shortages decreased. Cuba also benefited from the exchange of military, commercial, and technical assistance between itself and the Soviet Union.

A new constitution, based on the 1936 Soviet constitution, devolved more authority to local government than before. This new constitution laid out and legitimized a governmental structure which included more local government than before, but in fact real power stayed in the hands of the Communist Party of Cuba, which was in Castro's hands. Elections were held and the constitution was signed in 1976, and thereafter the political situation in Cuba stabilized.

Cuba continued to gain respect among the nonaligned nations, and with Soviet military support began to play a part in assisting revolutionary activities in other countries. Cuban involvement in Somalia and in Angola was particularly troublesome to the United States

Relations between Cuba and the United States improved marginally during the later 1970s, but there was still U.S. distrust for the strengthened ties between Cuba and the Soviet Union. The trade embargo was slightly relaxed in 1975, foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies were allowed to begin trading with Cuba, and there were exchanges of visitors and delegations between the countries. When Jimmy Carter became president in 1977, it was thought on all sides that the United States might normalize relations, but the Cuban community in Miami applied pressure in various ways, and normalization did not occur. Then, in 1979, the existence of a brigade of Soviet soldiers in Cuba came to light, and Carter accused Cuba of breaking the terms of the 1962 agreement. Tensions built until the Soviet Union assured the United States that its troops in Cuba had neither the intention nor the capability of invading American territory.

Internally, this was a continued period of transition in Cuba, as the revolutionary government made a concerted effort to change the socio-economic system and to instill values to support these changes. The education system continued to be geared toward building socialist values. For example, young children who were put into day care centers so that their parents could work were taught from an early age the importance of good character, peer group goals and identity, and especially loyalty to the revolution.

www.culturalorientation.net.
For more information contact sanja@cal.org.
Designed by SAGARTdesign
This site looks best when viewed using Netscape Navigator 3.0 or higher. Last Updated:02/18/04