Question

name. _____________________________ per. date ____________
activity 3 – methods of consolidation
use pages 83–84 of the textbook to identify castro’s methods of consolidating power. the
labels below describe the type of method. you must identify three specific actions
from the reading for each category.
part 1 – identify the methods
for each category, list three specific actions castro used between 1959–1962.
the words in parentheses describe the kind of method. they are not the answers.
a. coercion (this category includes actions involving force, punishment, fear, or
intimidation.)
1.
_____________________________________________________________________
2.
_____________________________________________________________________
3.
_____________________________________________________________________
b. control (this category includes actions involving institutions, surveillance, or structural
changes.)
1.
_____________________________________________________________________
2.
_____________________________________________________________________
3.
_____________________________________________________________________
c. legitimacy (this category includes actions involving popular support, reforms, or
revolutionary appeal.)
1.
_____________________________________________________________________
2.
_____________________________________________________________________
3.
_____________________________________________________________________

Explanation:

To answer this, we refer to historical knowledge about Fidel Castro's actions (1959 - 1962) for each category:

A. Coercion (Force, Punishment, Fear, Intimidation)

1. Arrest of Political Opponents: Castro’s regime arrested those who opposed his rule, using force to silence dissent.
2. Execution of Batista Loyalists: After taking power, he ordered executions of supporters of the previous Batista regime, instilling fear.
3. Suppression of Anti - Revolution Groups: Military action was used to quell groups that resisted the revolutionary government, involving force.

B. Control (Institutions, Surveillance, Structural Changes)

1. Establishment of Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDRs): These committees acted as surveillance networks, monitoring citizens to ensure loyalty to the regime.
2. Nationalization of Industries: The government took control of private industries (like sugar mills, utilities), restructuring the economy and centralizing state control.
3. Reorganization of the Military: Castro reorganized the armed forces to ensure they were loyal to his revolutionary cause and under his command.

C. Legitimacy (Popular Support, Reforms, Revolutionary Appeal)

1. Land Reform (Agrarian Reform Law): Distributed large estates to peasants, winning support from rural populations by addressing land inequality.
2. Literacy Campaign: A massive effort to teach Cubans to read/write, framed as a revolutionary achievement that gained popular approval.
3. Anti - Imperialist Rhetoric (Opposition to US Influence): Castro emphasized resistance to US imperialism, appealing to nationalist and revolutionary sentiments among Cubans.

Answer:

A. Coercion

1. Arrest of political opponents
2. Execution of Batista loyalists
3. Suppression of anti - revolution groups

B. Control

1. Establishment of CDRs
2. Nationalization of industries
3. Reorganization of the military

C. Legitimacy

1. Land reform (Agrarian Reform Law)
2. Literacy campaign
3. Anti - imperialist rhetoric (opposition to US influence)