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Did Castros rejection by Eisenhower cause Castro to become Communist?
In April 1959, Castro visited the United States with the intention of talking with Eisenhower. Eisenhower rebuffed him and played a round of golf and Castro went from this attempted meeting directly to the Russians. Up until that time Castro had denied that he was Communist and indeed had stressed that he was anti-communist. In retrospect was the response by Eisenhower a mistake? Or was it inevitable that Cuba would end up Communist?
3 Answers
- gentlerogerLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
Eisenhower's hand's were pretty well tied by 1959. The US was heavily invested in Batista and his regime. Castro's movement was a threat to the American investments in the island nation. The American people, and more importantly Congress would have balked at any attempt by Eisenhower to break with Batista and support any socialist/communist leaning group in a country where the 'democratic' leadership was so obliging and compliant to US wishes.
Castro's attempt to meet with Eisenhower was pro forma. Castro knew that Eisenhower couldn't and wouldn't support him. Castro's movement wasn't based on American democratic principles but rather socialist doctrines (n.b. socialist and not communist - there is a difference). Much of Castro's anti-communist rhetoric was aimed at the wooing Catholics/Christians who regarded Communists as agents of the Antichrist. While I think Castro would have preferred American backing to Soviet support, he knew he had to have one or the other to be ultimately successful. I think his principles fell more in line with a Stalinist gestalt than a George Washington gestalt. If Eisenhower had met with Castro, Castro would have strung the US along getting as much as he could before turning to the Soviets.
- JVHawai'iLv 71 decade ago
One of the most abused words of the 20th and now 21st Century is the word Communist. Castro was a Marxist. He established a Socialist Dictatorship. But yes Eisenhower's attitude was what sent Castro into seeking aid from the Soviets. And it was not a mistake. Eisenhower and the Ruling Elite of Americ had no intention of playing nice with Castro. Since 1900 it was America that decided who would rule in Cuba and in 1959 Castro was not their choice. Eisenhower & Company felt confident that if they ignored Castro he would go away or fail.
Peace// // // -- -- -- --
- 1 decade ago
It was inevitable. I think he was torn, but seeing as he knew that Eisenhower would most likely rebuff him, he already had a plan to go to the Russians. Castro was already on a path to be Communist.
