During this period of the 20th century (1930-1958) in Cuba, following the triumph of the Revolution on January 1, 1959, the revolutionary government was installed in power, beginning the dismantling of the neocolonial political system. Repressive forces were dissolved, and citizens were guaranteed, for the first time in many years, the full exercise of their rights. Public administration was cleaned up, and embezzled assets were confiscated. Batista’s war criminals were tried and punished, and the political parties that had served the tyranny were dissolved.

The appointment of Commander Fidel Castro as Prime Minister in February accelerated the pace of popular welfare measures. A general rent reduction was approved, beaches were made available to the people, and the companies that monopolized public services were taken over. A transcendental milestone in this process was the Agrarian Reform Law, passed on May 17, which eliminated latifundia by nationalizing all properties larger than 420 hectares and handing land ownership over to those who cultivated it.

The U.S. government had not hidden its displeasure with the triumph of the Revolution and, after promoting a malicious press campaign, adopted a policy of systematic harassment against Cuba with the aim of destabilizing the country. The obstacles placed by President Manuel Urrutia in the way of the revolutionary transformations led to Fidel Castro’s resignation as prime minister in July, a position he would return to days later amid massive demonstrations of support that led to the president’s resignation and his replacement by Osvaldo Dorticós.

In October, a military uprising in Camagüey orchestrated by the commander there, Commander Hubert Matos, was foiled. Meanwhile, increasing acts of sabotage and terrorism began to claim innocent victims.

To confront the counterrevolution, the National Revolutionary Militias and the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution were created. These organizations, along with the Federation of Cuban Women, the Association of Young Rebels, and others established later, enabled broader popular participation in the defense of the Revolution. In July 1960, after learning of the Washington government’s abolition of the Cuban sugar quota, Fidel Castro announced the nationalization of all US properties on the island. This measure was followed a few months later by the decision to nationalize the businesses of the Cuban bourgeoisie.

The US attacks were not limited to the economic sphere. While promoting the creation of counterrevolutionary organizations and rebel groups in different regions of the country, supplying them with weapons and other supplies, the Eisenhower administration broke off relations with Cuba in January 1961. It would begin preparing a mercenary brigade for the purpose of invading the island. The invasion would take place on April 17 in the Bay of Pigs area, following a surprise bombing of Cuban air bases. At the funeral of the victims of this attack, Fidel Castro proclaimed the socialist character of the Revolution. In October 1962, a serious international crisis began when it became known that Soviet missiles had been installed in Cuba. The commitments that resolved the crisis did not put an end to imperialism’s aggressive practices.

Banditry was finally eliminated in 1965, when the last organized gang operating in the country was captured on July 4. In this dirty war imposed by the United States, between 1959 and 1965, 299 gangs with a total of 3,995 members operated throughout the country.

Internationally, the United States succeeded in separating Cuba from the Organization of American States (OAS). However, the Cuban Revolution strengthened its ties with the socialist bloc and Third World countries, participating in the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Amid significant economic difficulties, unemployment was eliminated and the population’s basic needs were met. The literacy campaign began in 1961, eradicating the existing illiteracy rate. The educational system also achieved full national coverage for the first time, and an extensive scholarship program made secondary and higher education accessible to the entire population. Sports became widespread, supporting the growing and prominent participation of Cuban athletes in international sporting events.

In March 1962, shortly after Fidel Castro denounced the existence of sectarian distortions in the process of creating revolutionary organizations, the construction of what would become the United Party of the Socialist Revolution began. Its foundation was to select its membership based on the exemplary performance of workers elected from within their work collectives. The definitive embodiment of unity would be the formation of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba in 1965, as the highest leadership body of the Revolution.

In 1963, an economic development strategy was adopted that, taking into account the characteristics of the Cuban economy and trade prospects with the USSR and other socialist countries, focused on agriculture, with the goal of producing 10 million tons of sugar by 1970. Facing this challenge led to serious distortions in the direction of economic processes, as well as in the activities of revolutionary organizations, which were concentrated on the vast mobilization of workers imposed by the low technical level of sugarcane agriculture and disproportionate demographic structures. The failure of the “10 million harvest” would lead to a profound revision of this policy.

Beginning in 1971, the country’s institutionalization began. As the culmination of a profound reorganization, the Cuban Communist Party held its first congress, after having submitted its main documents to broad popular discussion. On February 24, 1976, a new Constitution was proclaimed, approved in a plebiscite by secret and direct vote of 95.7% of the population over 18 years of age. The various bodies of People’s Power were also created.

During these years, Cuba’s international standing also strengthened. Diplomatic relations were reestablished with Peru, Panama, Chile, and other Latin American countries. After signing trade agreements with the Soviet Union, Cuba joined the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CAME). In 1976, Cuban troops sent to Africa at the request of the Angolan government contributed to the liberation of that country from South African intervention. Shortly thereafter, another Cuban contingent participated in the defense of Ethiopia against Somali aggression. The holding of the Sixth Summit of the Non-Aligned Countries in Havana in 1979 demonstrated the prestige gained by the Revolution.

With the Revolution, Cuba eliminated all forms of exploitation and eradicated racial discrimination, discrimination against women, and discrimination against young people. Added to this are the social achievements and significant economic progress the country has made during this period.