Cuban Revolution DBQ

After overthrowing the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in January 1959, Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro, assumed power. He began a radical restructuring of Cuban society, which brought a huge change in gender roles, as well as a change in the lives of Cuban women. I grouped the documents into 3 categories which were: people against liberation, men who approve liberation, and women who approve their new rights. I would like to see an extra document from a female politician in Cuba who is against liberation. This would help realize that not only are some Cuban men again liberation, but a female Cuban politician is as well. There are a great amount of people against women’s liberation. In document 3, a male Cuban revolutionary sympathizer states that he’s against women’s liberation. He states that he expects his wife to stay home and look after the house. He also says that she owes herself to him and the children. One should approach this document with caution because the author seems to be exaggerating, due to his anger towards the new liberation rights.

He doesn’t want his wife to have as many rights as she will have now. In document 6, Fidel Castro’s daughter, Alina Fernandez expresses how angry she is about the new liberation rights for women. She states that men had more authority and there was hardly any equality despite the new laws that were put in place. This document should be approached with caution because of the daddy issues Alina and Fidel have. She probably exaggerated to make things in Cuba seem worse than what they actually are. In document 10, a female scientist and President of the Federation of Cuban Women explains how men aren’t helping the women with household responsibilities. Ever since the new liberation laws were put into effect, women have started to work. Some women even work 2 or 3 jobs while the kids are at home. In many families, women are still responsible for the education and formation of their children, as well as maintaining a clean household environment.

Out of all the men in Cuba, very few approved and supported women’s liberation. Document 5 is a speech given by the Cuban president, Fidel Castro. This document should be approached with caution because since he is the president, he will aim to say things that people want to hear. He states that there is discrimination against women and there is still little to no equality. Document 9 shows data collected by the Communist Party of Cuba. According to the data, the number of females participating in politics in Cuba from 1975 to 1986 has increased. One should approach this document with caution because there Is a high motivation to exaggerate numbers to show success to other countries. Document 8 shows data collected from the United Nations (UN) from 1953-1982. The data shows development indicators for selected Latin American nations. Cuba’s illiteracy rate decreased for men and women as well as the Economically Active Population (EAP). There is still little equality, although women do seem to have more economic equality.

Most women in Cuba approve their new rights and liberation. Document 1 is an excerpt from an autobiography written by a female Cuban socialist feminist. This document states that women had been freed from patriarchal rule in Cuba, and there was equality. One should approach this document with caution due to the fact that it was written by a socialist feminist. This person might over exaggerate experiences for the benefit of Cuban women. Document 2 written by a female politician, explains how some changes like more education, jobs, hygiene skills and minority women having opportunities, have improved the quality of life in Cuba. This document should also be approached with caution because it is likely that she is over exaggerating, and she wouldn’t be who she is today without the revolution. According to document 4, women have more freedom and have become independent.

This document should be approached with caution because it Is from an interview with Genoveva Diaz, the daughter of a Cuban Revolutionary. She was most likely influenced by changes in her household while she was growing up. Document 7 is an interview with a Cuban mother by a United States journalist in Cuba. She states that gender roles are still unequal and according to this document, some changes are guaranteed rights and education. One should approach this document with caution due to the fact that she was probably threatened to say something good about Cuba.

The Cuban Revolution has brought a huge change in gender roles, as well as a change in the lives of Cuban women. I believe that the revolution has benefited the lives of many Cuban women, although some women don’t have the opportunity to fulfill their rights. I think this event plays a huge role in today’s society because this is when the tension in Cuba started, which caused Cuba to isolate itself from other countries. Thus, many people tried to leave and come to the US (especially Miami) where many Cubans live today.