FIDEL CASTRO (CUBA) HITLER (GERMANY)

Opposition / • Many opponents disliked the growing in uence of communism • Oppositions by army because of Hitlers “rushing” of events + beginning a
social tensions (1959 - Matos rebellion). war with Russia.
• Castro’s revolution as a threat to economic interests resulted in - 144- July Bomb Plot - hitler assassinated 5000 th participants
guerrilla warfare (supported by US) - opponents were defeated army o cers (decrease in opposition).

• Bay of pig's incident (1961) (US sponsored + cuban exiles • Private oppositions against censorship: reading/listening to foreign
(opponents)): led to rise in nationalism and pride – rise in support broadcasts + protection of jews.
towards Castro • Public opposition in the form of anti-nazi lea ets, slogans…
• Opposition within universities uncovering the truth about nazi oppression -
• 1970’s opposition from trade unions and workers: Castro admitted meant not all young people were indoctrinated by the regime.
his mistakes – gained supporters. (propaganda) - Opposition increased over wartime.

Economic • Economic crisis. • Economic crisis due to the depression - increased unemployment and poverty
factors (social - increasing support for the Nazi Government that o ered solutions.
impacts) • Castro’s plans involved maximising production, and criticising • Rearmament: investment in military spendings created jobs.
economic liberalisation from the 1970’s. (much needed during this • Support from business that opposed communism and preferred the Nazi party.
period) • Suppression of Trade Unions: control over workforce.
• He empathised with citizens discontent and became their
spokesperson – increased his personal prestige.

• US increased threats

Ideology • Castro proclaimed to be Marxist: resulting from social and • German nationalism re ected by the ideologies:
economic conditions. - Racial superiority
• Socialism was a strategy: - Disagreement with the Treaty of Versailles and bringing Germany back to
- state control of the economy to prioritise production over consumption greatness.
and hostility towards US. • Economic recovery and stability: needed after the impact of the
- Provided ethics expected from citizens, and end of poverty, exploitation, depression.
and injustice. • Anti-communism: fear of communist revolution.
• The soviet connection: admiration of Soviet’s industrialisation • Militarism: emphasis on rebuilding the military - gained support and loyalty
without foreign assistance - move towards communism. from military (crucial)
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 FIDEL CASTRO (CUBA) HITLER (GERMANY)

Propaganda / • Famous slogan against US invasion “patria o muerte, • Membership of the nazi party became compulsory in 1939.
censorship venceremos”
• Several speeches in which: he admitted “errors” to gain support – • Hitlers con dence and faith in Germany as a thriving sate gained supporters;
charismatic (history will absolve me 2 hours), and spread his he was portrayed as powerful and all knowing.
ideologies (especially economic). • Hitler was perceived as caring and supportive to citizens and children
through his charismatic personality.
• Mass organisations: increasing citizens organisation to integrate
the population of Cuba with the regime. • Propaganda in the form of press, radio, theatre, music… was regularly
- the PCC attempted to make workers put social needs above individual; exposed - radio and nazi slogans and posters.
15% of the population was part of this union. • Only approved materials were published (censorship).
• Foreign materials were not easily accessible.
• Good use of television to explain goods and policies + previous use of - This strengthened the regime.
Radio Rebelde.

Political • Tensions between the army and the SA because of SA’s violence - Night of
tension • 1989 Ochoa a air- most serious internal opposition by those who long knives (1934) which targeted the SA and many aggressive leaders: hitler
preferred the Gorbachev style reforms (caused serious divisions in seen as a hero.
Both single Cuba). • After this all members of armed forces swore loyalty to Hitler.
• 1992 purge - another reformist tendency emerged (Gorbachev policy
party states.
admired) • Hitler became his own war minister - drastic change in army of those who
- Castro created Rapid Response Brigades to act against these - use of had failed helped hitler consolidate his power.
force: they harassed opposition groups (Castro began a purge of of
reformists)
- Helped consolidate by eliminated possible rivals
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 FIDEL CASTRO (CUBA) HITLER (GERMANY)

Foreign Tension between Cuba and US: • Italy’s (Mussolini’s) fascist regime and totalitarianism - model of inspiration; it
in uence • US prior abuse of the Cuban economy for personal bene ts provided ideological and military support.
(puppet presidents).
• Increasing tension due to US attempts to overthrow Castro • Soviet No-Aggression Pact (1939): secured Germany’s eastern border and
(sabotage attacks by Cuban exiles and Batista supporters (1960)) allowed Hitler to focus on his consolidation of power.
• Trade links with other countries (Soviet Union and other eastern
countries) - to reduce US dependance. • Global fear of communism gathered indirect support from countries and
• Crude oil purchase switched to Soviet Union (cheaper than US) - spread safety through Nazi regime.
increased tensions.
• US desire to break Cuba’s economy: • Britain and France’s appeasement policies due to their recovery from the
- Reduction of import quota for Cuban sugar (700 th tones unsold – further depression: Contributed to Germany’s expansion (inspired by Mussolini’s
sold to SU and China. invasion of Abyssinia- Hitler demilitarised Rhineland (1939).
- US embargo (trade ban) of all exports from Cuba – support shown by • Connection with Austria (1938).
SU.
• Castro nationalized US-owned business and through ought the
1960; “ rst declaration of Havana” speech in which he condemned
US imperialism (September 1960).

Use of force • Bay of Pigs incident (1961): US – backed Cuban exiles (trained • Use of the SA, to destroy communist movement.
and armed) landed on Playa de Girón. Castro’s forces defeated • After the night of knives the SS was now presenting a powerful image of the
the exiles – growing support and popularity towards his government.
nationalistic resistance against the invasion.
• Reich main Security Department + Gestapo - “block wardens” who paid
• Cuban Missile crisis (1962): second attack from the US. SU regular visits to homes → image of power that reinforced obedience.
aided Cuba (1961) - Cuban weapons + troops improved, and
nuclear missiles were placed in Cuba to balance the US threat.
US discovered this and set a naval blockade. Later settled
between SU and US: This did not improve Cuban’s view on
Castro.

• Castro’s secret police - CTR conference for defence of the revolution (7

Foreign • Castro saw the world divided into developed and underdeveloped • Desire to right the wrongs from the Treaty of Versailles and create a living
policies countries, and believed Cuba had the role to help other third world space for germans “lebensraum” - Aggressive foreign policy shown by:
countries overcome imperialism and poverty: - Germany took out of the league of nations (1933) to begin
- Rise in pride amongst Cubans. rearmament.
For Castro:
- Conscription introduced in 1935.
very Relevant - Invasion of Rhineland (1936) - not opposed by British
• US feared Cuba’s independent foreign policy would encourage further
revolutions amongst other Latin American countries. (occupied by depression) or French (not willing to act without
For Hitler: not
• Cuba provided help in the form of construction, security (police), and Britain).
so relevant. education/health reform programs and workers:
- Chile, nicaragua, Venezuela • Hitler was opportunistic with his actions: (GOOD IMPACTS OF F.P)
- Some aids resulted in economic aid (oil) to the Cuban • Invasion of Rhineland (1939) after Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia.
economy - popular outcomes. • Invasion of Czechoslovakia (1939). - march
• Invasion of Poland (1939) - September.
• Cuban help focused on developments in South Africa - this was - Second world war started - germans applauded their
recognised worldwide by Nelson Mandela - huge pride amongst opportunity to show their master race in battle.
Cubans.
- Biggest commitment to Angola in 1975 - South Africa • F.P failure:
+ US against Cuba and Soviet Union. Cuba • Hitler shielded German citizens from news of defeats, but those couldn’t
committed over 25000 soldiers, resulting in a victory; escape the impact of allied bombing, food shortages and loss of lives.
This brought great pride, also because South Africas • German people lost faith In Hitler.
had never been forced to retreat. - His foreign policy was unstable and brought him his downfall.