Week 14—History of Latin America
Revisiting the Cuban Revolution
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I. Chronology of Revolution
- 1960s, "spiritual and moral" goals
- 1970s, "sovietization"
- 1980s, "rectification" of Cuban socialism
- 1990s, "Special Period in a Time of Peace"
II. Changes and Contradictions
A. Economics
- Pre- and post-revolutionary sugar:
1950s | 1980s | |
Sugar exports/total exports | 83% | 77% |
Trade w/ main partner (US/USSR) as % of total sector | 68% | 66% |
- Special Period economics:
Austerity, conservation, rationing
Attempts to protect social services
Mixed economy w/ some private industry (Foreign) investment in tourism, biotechnology, environmental technology
1993, dollar decriminalized
2003-4, shift towards euro
B. Politics
- anti-corruption
- political consciousness-raising
- building institutions
- egalitarianism
- repression
C. Society
- health and education
- w/ tourism, new (old?) social ills
D. Culture
- political
- race and gender
- religion1991, from "atheist" to "secular"