A History of the Cuban Revolution presents a concise socio-historical account of the Cuban Revolution of 1959, an event that continues to spark debate 50 years later. Balances a comprehensive overview of the political and economic events of the revolution with a look at the revolution s social impact Provides a lively, on-the-ground look at the lives of ordinary people Features both U.S. and Cuban perspectives to provide a complete and well-rounded look at the revolution and its repercussions Encourages students to understand history through the viewpoint of individuals living it Selected as a 2011 Outstanding Academic Title by CHOICE

A History of the Cuban Revolution presents a concisesocio-historical account of the Cuban Revolution of 1959, an eventthat continues to spark debate 50 years later.* Balances a comprehensive overview of the political andeconomic events of the revolution with a look at therevolution's social impact* Provides a lively, on-the-ground look at the lives of ordinarypeople* Features both U.S. and Cuban perspectives to provide acomplete and well-rounded look at the revolution and itsrepercussions* Encourages students to understand history through theviewpoint of individuals living it* Selected as a 2011 Outstanding Academic Title by CHOICE

List of Illustrations viiiSeries Editor's Preface xAcknowledgments xiiIntroduction 1Talking about Freedom 2Scholars Weigh In 4Why Revolution? 6Comparing Capitalism and Socialism 9Latin American Attitudes 141 Cuba through 1959 18Colonial History 18The Colony in the Republic 25Revolution: A War, or a Process? 342 Experiments with Socialism 44Analyzing the Situation: Economic Backwardness 45The 1960s: Experimentation and the Great Debate 48The 1970s: Institutionalization and the Soviet Model 55Democracy: U.S. and Cuban Style 56Cuba in the 1970s: How it Worked 571986: Rectification 61How Democratic was Cuban Socialism? 623 Relations with the United States 65The United States and Cuba 66In their Own Words: U.S. Policymakers Respond to Revolution69Covert War: Up to the Bay of Pigs 76Covert War: After the Bay of Pigs 79The Missile Crisis 82After the Missile Crisis 85The War Continues 864 Emigration and Internationalism 91Miami 94Cuba's Global Reach: Beyond the Cold War 97Cuba and Black Internationalism 98Cuba in Africa and Latin America 100Civilian Aid Missions 1035 Art, Culture, and Revolution 106Literature 110Film 116Music 120Sport 122Dance 125Political Culture 126Food 1316 Cuba Diversa 134Race 135Gender 141Sexuality 144Religion 1497 The "Special Period": Socialism on One Island1531993-95: Rapid-Fire Reforms 154Social Impact of the Market Reforms 157Limits to Capitalism 159Charting New Territory 162Contradictions: Inequality and Jineterismo 164Opting to Leave: The 1994 Exodus 168Debate and its Limits during the 1990s 1718 Cuba into the Twenty-First Century 176From Perfeccionamiento to Recentralization 177Civil Society into the New Century 183Disillusionment 186Bush-Era Policies 188Cuba, Venezuela, and the ALBA 189Cuba after Fidel 190Conclusion 193Notes 196Bibliography 214Index 228