Why communism under Fidel Castro succeeded in taking Cuba?

Question

Well,the US had Cuba after the Spanish-American War and the US launch anti-communist campaign during the cold war and Cuba is near the US and...

succeeded = triumphed,successful in taking control of the Cuban government ,such that they are in power in Cuba.

The question was about how communism took control of Cuba despite Cuba being under the nose of the US, not about the effect of communist government on present economic situation of Cuba.

Answer 1

Initially, the US seriously underestimated Castro. Cuba, like many other Latin American countries had a long history of political instability and insurrection.

The US initially believed that Castro was just another in the long line of Latin American strongmen who would come to power promising reforms, and who eventually would be bought off by American money (as was the case with so many others before him).

What the Americans didn't count on was the influence of the Soviet Union. Castro had been a communist during his days in Mexico, and when his forces took control, the Soviet Union backed him financially and militarily.

The Americans were totally unprepared for this, as, since the days of the Monroe Doctrine, the US was used to having its own way in the Western Hemisphere.

They underestimated Castro's committment to Communism, and didn't anticipate the forthcoming aid from the Soviet Union, without which, Castro could never have consolidated his power.

Answer 2

The reason why they succeeded was because Fidel Castro: used the media to exaggerate his numbers, was generally friendly to the locals, fought a gorilla war, knew the terrain, and Fidel and his generals were immensely respected by his troops that didn't go AWOL.

*A communist party was already formed in most major cities in Cuba. It was frowned upon by most of the pro-America nation, but was liked by the college students of Cuba. Fidel used their help to form an underground network for information and supplies. Two of Fidel's Generals, Raul Castro and Ernesto Guevara, urged Fidel to make Cuba a communist nation. The nail was later driven in when Ernesto or "Che" went to America and was treated poorly by its goverment. This happened again when Fidel went. Fidel wanted to purify Cuba and the best way to do that, he thought, was to make it a pro-communist state.

Answer 3

Castro denied being a communist until it was too late for anyone to do anything about it. Prior to taking power Castro portrayed his movement as reformist rather than Marxist and not necessarily anti-American. Castro went out of his way to avoid contact with known Cuban communist party members whom he dismissed as campus poseurs in any case.

In fact, Castro received money from the CIA at one point prior to the revolution. If you take a look at the core group who actually fought alongside Castro there was Che of course, but there were also men who were hard-core oppourtunists and adventurers. When he actually "came-out" as a commie, it surprised even some of his close friends, so you can't really blame the CIA for misjudging him.

Answer 4

I guess you need to define "succeded". Cuba is a mess. The people are dirt poor and rely on money from their family and friends in the US in order to survive. Castro is/was brutal and either imprisoned people he didn't like, or killed them outright. If you didn't like it and wanted to complain you can only go to the government.

No free speech, free press...

Good luck with that whole "communism succeeded under Castro" thing.

Answer 5

Scary thing is the U.S. actually helped Castro into power!! We tend to do things like that, mess up countries and put the wrong people in power.

Answer 6

Because the government before Castro was corrupt and owned by american gangsters so he led a popular revolt.