Histories, Similarities, and Contrast of Mexican and Cuban Revolutions
Revolutions are believed to cause seismic upheavals that hurl off the old order and bring a new, more adventurous political, economic, and infrastructure to move society ahead. The Mexican Revolution of 1910 and the Cuban Revolution of the 1960s show that the Revolution’s tentacles may spread far and wide due to preexisting sociopolitical, economic, and cultural systems (Madero 34-37). This discussion book compares and analyzes the Mexican and Cuban revolutions, focusing on their respective histories, the primary elements that led to the Revolution, and the parallels and differences between them.
History Of Mexican and Cuban Revolutions
The Mexican Revolution started from 1910 to 1920 when liberals and intellectuals began the challenge “Regime of Dictator Porfirio Diaz. It was a significant revolutionary change in the 20th century (Madero 34-37). The Cuban Revolution began in July 1953 and infrequently continued until the rebels finally evicted Batista on December 31, 1958. The Cuban Revolution gave rise to one of the most well-known Communist governments in the world. Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, two of the most inspiring revolutionaries of the twentieth century, led Cuba in her realm.
Mexican Revolution brought an end to tyranny and led to the formation of a constitutional republic. In terms of political, social, and cultural significance, this Revolution is often cited as the first of the 20th century. Mexico as a region was home to one of the world’s most advanced Empires: the Aztecs, after the brutal period of colonialism and eventual conquest in 1521. On the other hand, the Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt conducted by Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries of the 26th July Movement and its allies against the military dictatorship of Cuban President Fulgencio Batista (Prevost, Gary). This movement later reformed along Marxist–Leninist lines becoming the communist Party of Cuba in October 1965.
Factors That Led to The Mexican Revolution and Cuban Revolutions
The harsh dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz was the first spark for the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Diaz backed landowners and wealthy businesspeople throughout his rule, leaving the impoverished with few opportunities to improve their lot (Meyer et al. 374-406). Diaz claimed to be for a more democratic administration in Mexico, yet he never stopped pandering to the wealthy and powerful. Thus, this set off a chain reaction of rebellions headed by figures like Pascual Orozco and Pancho Villa in the north and Emiliano Zapata in the south of Mexico (Zapata et al. 340-343). The causes of the Mexican Revolution may be reduced to calls for independence from dictatorships, improved conditions for the working class, and the establishment of a democratic government via a new constitution.
On the other hand, one of the causes of the Cuban Revolution was pervasive corruption. Even those elected on the grounds of honesty and integrity cracked down on low-level, petty wrongdoing while ignoring more significant concerns. Nepotism made individuals accept and operate within the system, realizing they required networks and bribes to succeed (Casals, Marcelo 111-127). Under Batista, corruption was no longer tolerated. Batista fueled anger by linking the government to organized crime and enabling the Americans to control Cuba’s economy. Violence and cruelty that accompanied his authority misled and irritated people.
The second reason is that the country’s perpetual political instability partly sparked the Cuban Revolution. Cuba was invaded, occupied, and ruled by the U.S. between 1898 and 1902 after obtaining independence from Spain (Guevara 370-375). Several years of government transitions left Cuba politically unstable, and those who wanted power launched revolts and coups (Pérez 445-505). Batista won his second term in 1952 after collaborating with the U.S. to overthrow President Pro Socarras and impose a military dictatorship. Batista’s violent rise to power looked to destroy democracy and freedom.
Third, U.S. interference played a contributing role in the uprising in Cuba. Cuba became a republic in 1902, but the Platt Amendment permitted the U.S. to keep a significant presence there. The Amendment curtailed Cuba’s capacity to conduct international or economic accords without U.S. approval (Casals, Marcelo 111-127). It was officially approved by the Cuban Assembly (with a slim majority), but many questioned its validity because of intense political pressure to agree to the modification so Cuba could become a republic. As an imperial power, the U.S. continued to restrict freedoms and exploit Cuba’s economy and politics.
The Contrast Between the Mexican and Cuban Revolutions
There are numerous parallels between the Mexican and Cuban revolutions, although their respective leaders differed. Madero of Mexico and Castro of Cuba failed in their first revolutions (Meyer et al. 374-406). Both were then imprisoned by tyrants and freed under political pressure. Madero could not implement his “Plan de San Louis” plans. Hence, this was because of power inequalities (Wolfe, Mikael 469-491). On both a strategic and an ideological level, the insurgents in Mexico were not unified. In contrast to Mexicans, Cubans place a strong emphasis on “unity” (Gilbert & Timothy 357-402). Madero failed to organize his people around one revolutionary philosophy and was followed by another group (Meyer et al. 374-406). Although some hostility and unity among the rebels of the socialist and communist movements ultimately won out. Despite being outnumbered, they fought for one cause and defeated Batista’s army. Their guerrilla methods beat the Mexicans; they united and grabbed the capital.
Both revolutions implicated the U.S.; the U.S. backed Porfirio Diaz in Mexico, and It did not want to harm Mexico’s commerce. It was incredibly tight over the Zimmerman letter, which Germany reportedly transferred to Mexico to attack the U.S. U.S. weapons embargo and stopped Batista’s air forces from attacking Castro’s mountain troops in Cuba (Pérez 445-505). Hence, this led to no support from the Air Force, which harmed the Batista government since the jets required U.S. components. The U.S. purportedly armed guerrillas in Sierra Maestra to oppose Batista. Both revolutions required much labor and were successful, Cuban more than Mexican. Both revolutions caused change, which is the inevitable effect of every Revolution, for better or ill.
Madera’s fall by the same people who placed him in power during the Mexican Revolution is a great example. Cuba, where another dictator, Batista, ruled for many years, also needed these changes (Guevara 370-375). Like the Mexican Revolution, the Cuban Revolution was fueled by rebel forces; however, they also engaged in Guerrilla techniques (Montaner, Carlos 513-522). On or around July 26, 1953, revolutionaries in Cuba reportedly began their efforts. Fidel Castro and his brother Raul Castro Ruz stormed the Moncada Barracks at this time. Batista’s soldiers eliminated or captured a large portion of Castro’s army. Like Madero during the Mexican Revolution, they were imprisoned but eventually released.
Conclusion
In conclusion, changes in government and society have been accompanied by shifts in cultural values and economic conditions in Mexico and Cuba, two countries where revolutions served as catalysts. More people are now voting in elections, the state has legitimized religious tolerance, and the population has grown and multiplied as a direct consequence of the Revolution. The revolutionary movement had a far-reaching impact, spreading the ideal of freedom throughout the globe. New markets and trading partnerships have emerged due to the revolutions in Cuba and Mexico. They also made new domestic markets possible by opening up previously inaccessible territory to invasion and colonization. The 1917 Mexican Revolution produced new legislation that guaranteed the separation of church and state, renationalization of the underground, communal property ownership, and the right to organize and strike.
Works Cited
Casals, Marcelo. “Chilean! Is this how you want to see your daughter?” the Cuban Revolution and representations of gender and family during Chile’s 1964 anti-communist “campaign of terror.” Radical History Review 2020.136 (2020): 111-127.
Gilbert, Joseph M & Timothy, Henderson J. “The Mexico Reader History Culture Politics.” 2002, pp. 357-402
Guevara, Che. “Man, and Socialism.” MIT Press, 1970, pp. 370-375
Madero, Francisco I. “The plan of San Luis Potisi.” 1910, pp. 34-37
Meyer, Michael C., and William H. Beezley. “The Oxford History of Mexico.” Oxford University Press, 2010, pp. 374-406. Web.
Montaner, Carlos Alberto. “The Cuban Revolution and its acolytes.” Cuban Communism 1959-2003. Routledge, 2018. 513-522.
Pérez Louis A. “On Becoming Cuban: Identity, Nationality and Culture.” Univ. of North Carolina Press, 2008, pp. 445-505
Prevost, Gary. “Cuba in an Age of Economic Reform.” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Politics. 2019.
Wolfe, Mikael. “A Revolution Is a Force More Powerful Than Nature”: Extreme Weather and the Cuban Revolution, 1959–64.” Environmental History 25.3 (2020): 469-491.
Zapata, et al., “Plan of Ayala by Emiliano.” Pp. 340-343