Castroism

Castro, in 2002

Castroism is a communist ideology, lined with and created by, the Cuban revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro. Castroism is influenced by many philosophers and politicians but particularly the theories of Jose Marti, and after 1961, Marx, Engels and Lenin. Castroism's main focus is the practice and theory behind revolution and revolutionary government in Cuba and promotes Cuban nationalism, Latin American solidarity, social justice and democracy.

Shape

Pre 1959

Castroism's main principles were first expounded in his 1953 speech, History Will Absolve Me. Here he stressed the reinstatement of the 1940 Constitution of Cuba, and also of promoted a series of land and labour reforms. In this speech, he mentions little about socialism and communist ideologies and terminology, make no appearance. In this Castro also stated the need for Cuban nationalism, social equality and democracy among the Cuban people. This speech strongly criticized the government of Fulgencio Batista.

1959-1961

In the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution and his appointment as Prime Minister of Cuba, Castro began to take a more active interest in the development of his political ideals. During this time, Castro did implement many socialist, but not explicitly Marxist reforms of land and working rights, including the 1959, First Agrarian Reform. Soon afterwards, however, it was noted that Cuban officials had contacted KGB operatives in Mexico City. This was followed soon by over 500 spanish-speaking advisors being sent to Cuba by the Soviet Union. Over the following two years Castro built up his relationship with the USSR, buying oil from them, and exporting sugar and coffee.

In 1960-61 Castro began to introduce Marxist Leninist ideas into the, then developing theory of Castroism. Collectivization schemes and other communist practices were implemented, and Cuba was declared a socialist state with the Communist Party of Cuba as the leading force in society and state. 

After 1961

In 1976, the Cuban government introduced the modern constitution of Cuba, which sought to institutionalize the Cuban Revolution, and its Marxist principles. It was based extensively on the constitutions of the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries. It introduced communist ideology, specifically Marxist Leninist, into the government of Cuba. It stipulated that health care and education provision ought to be free of charge, and that the state could restrict media and religious organizations within the island. This was the first time that explicitly Soviet principles had been incorporated into a major piece of Cuban legislation. In 2002, socialist ideals were declared ultimate and irrevocable, within the governance of the Island of Cuba.