In Unit 4, we discussed the concepts of nationalism and revolution as responses to neo-colonialism. In a formal essay (remember the formal essay format), I want you to explain how the experience of neo-colonialism lead to a nationalist and revolutionary response. Use the examples of the Mexican and Cuban revolutions to illustrate your answer. Who in Latin American society do you think was most attracted to and inspired by the Mexican and Cuban revolutions? What did these revolutions accomplish and how did they, perhaps, also fail?
In a formal essay, I will talk about how neo-colonialism led nationalism and revolution in Latin America, as we have been talking about in class.
One of the most inspired revolutions in Latin American history is the Cuban Revolution. Most revolts that happened in this region after the Cuban revolution were inspired by it. One of the leaders of the revolution was Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, who was an Argentinian who went to Mexico to meet up with future dictator of Cuba, Fidel Castro. From then on, they had worked together in starting on the most inspiring movements in history. Although the revolution was great and all, Cuba today is still ruled under a dictatorship. Presently, by brother of Fidel Castro, Raul Castro.
Neo-colonialism is an idea of "new colonies", so once these countries were becoming banana republics and such and wanted to break off from eachother, the U.S. took advantage of these Latin American countries. The U.S. intervened in Latin American countries numerous times, and used their military to take control of these countries. Citizens of these countries did not like that, so the traditional way was to rebel. In the Cuban revolution, they tried to overthrow Fulgencio Batista because of his Marxist policies. This revolution by the people last from 1953- 1959.
Many countries were inspired by the Cuban revolution, that some even started their own. For example, Argentina. Argentina went under a Dirty War where 30,000 activists "disappeared." I think that many students and organizations were attracted to and inspired by the Mexican and Cuban revolution because things were going wrong in their country and they wanted to lead a revolution to get what they wanted. Students are also influential people because they are educated and they know what they are doing. I think that they wanted to stand up for what the people believed in and not be run by a corrupt government. I think that organizations were inspired by the Cuban and Revolution because as a group they all wanted to participate in revolution against something they're not up for.
Some revolutions accomplished something and some did. The Cuban revolution accomplished independence for Cuba from the U.S., but when Fidel came in power things weren't what they though they were going to be.
Cuban revolution
1 comment:
Nice job. The videos are a very nice touch. The first video is of course very biased in favor of Castro and the Stalinist regime in Cuba. Most of what it says is accurate, but the elections it talks about are highly controlled and the Supreme leader (Fidel & now Raul) do not have to stand for election. They are dictators for life.
You also made one mistake. Batista was not a Marxist. He was a very close US ally and very pro-capitalist. Some would refer to Castro and his government as Marxist, though I personally would disagree with this label. Castro follows a Soviet style of so called "socialism", some call it state capitalism, that really has little to do with the philosophy of Karl Marx.
The first song in the first video I imagine you recognize, beacuse I played it in class. Can you identify the second song?
90%.
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