Fidel Castro emerged from the foothills of the Sierra Mountains as a symbol of freedom and equality, mottos of the long awaited Cuban revolution. This was in 1959, Fidel Castro has managed to maintain his absolute power for over 44 years.
Fidel Castro emerged form the foothills of the Sierra Mountains as a symbol of freedom and equality, mottos of the long awaited Cuban revolution. This was in 1959, Fidel Castro has managed to maintain his absolute power for over 44 years. Fidel Castro’s social, and educational reform as well as his international revolutionary victories have kept Fidel Castro in power.
Fidel Castro’s social reform, which promoted national equality, was partially responsible for keeping him in power. Fidel Castro managed to integrate discriminated groups into the revolution and win their support. Fidel Castro began by incorporating “outsiders” such as women into the revolution. The Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) was founded in 1960. The FMC became an instrument for the government to communicate its objectives to the public and to report women’s needs to the government. This two-way communication resulted in the Maternity law, which allowed women to take a six-month maternity leave. In addition, the FMC created the Hygiene Law, which was responsible for the establishment of 838 child care centers throughout Cuba. Fidel Castro’s social reform was also responsible for introducing more women into the education system as well as the work force. With education now more accessible, women accounted for 50% of university students and comprised 35% of the work force by the early 1980’s. Women also became increasingly involved in leadership positions. By mid 1970’s women accounted for 13% party membership along with 7% national trade union membership. Then, by early 1980’s, women accounted for 32.4% of party memberships along with 40% of national union trade membership. Now that Fidel Castro had gained massive women support Castro managed to abolish racial discrimination placing 60% or 5,040,000 black and mestizo Cubans on his side. By 1970 black and mestizo Cubans held 20% of leadership positions. Due to the educational reform there were now 13,000 black and mestizo physicians working in Cuba. By incorporating women and racial discriminated groups into the revolution, Fidel Castro gained mass support. By abolishing racial discrimination and providing education and careers for blacks and mestizos, Fidel Castro had 60% of the Cuban population right behind the revolution. Along with the colossal support of the blacks and mestizos, Castro had the women of Cuba eating out of the palm of his hand.