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After Cuba successfully emerged from its bloody revolution, it was not bent on socialist
policies and systems. In fact, Castro and Guevara¶s vision for Cuban society was not built
around the foundations of either socialism or capitalism, but rather, ideals which they
considered to be necessary and vital for their envisioned society : The right of the Cuban
people to industry within their country, the economy being formed for the people by the
people, the nationalization of big business, free health care for the poor and infirm, better
rights for the farmers and lower classes in Cuba, even the abolition of a clearly defined class
structure in preference of a more balanced society. However, Cuba¶s eventual transition into
a socialist system can be explained by two major factors: the USA¶s policies that forced
Cuba into an alliance with the Soviet Union and the Cuban population¶s need for socialism, a
system that was focused on the people, not the economy and trade.

The United States¶ embargo on Cuba and their imperialist ideology were some of the most
influential fa ctors that moulded Cuban policy and subsequently, Cuba¶s transition into
socialist ideals. The embargo on the Cuban economy forced the Cuban peoples into a
corner. Their natural trading partner, the United States, was not only seizing imports but also
exports to and from their country ; crippling their economy and placing a stranglehold on
Cuban markets. Consequently, Cuban enterprise , in a frantic scramble to find a market in
which they could trade, turned to another super -power, namely, the Sov iet Union. Within the
Soviet Union, the Cubans were allowed to trade goods, primarily sugar, which was Cuba¶s
main exportable product. The trade basis on which the two countri es formed their
cooperation also initialised a political alliance between them. While the Soviet Union was
primarily a communist state, the Cuban people embraced values upheld by their political
system: The nationalisation of property, greater rights and benefits to the lower classes.
However, Castro¶s ideological dream differed from the Communist thought pattern . His
society, while combining few ideals of capitalist mentality, focused primarily around a much
milder form of communism, a state run for the pe ople, socialism.

While the Soviets welcomed the Cubans with open arms, they did so on a false basis: firstly,
so that they would then have an ally in close proximi ty to the United States, but secondly
because Cuban ideology was still forming and solidifyi ng and thus extremely influenciable.
The Soviet Union saw it as an opportunity to expand the socialist sphere of influence,
embedding socialist ideals in Cuba itself. Cuba¶s ties with the Soviet Union grad ually
strengthened, and when coupled with the nationalisation of foreign and private industry, the
forced conversion of US led companies to the Cuba run businesses and the sharing of
Soviet methodologies and systems with the Cubans, morphed Cuba¶s political system into a
very distinctive, in addition to being wildly effective, socialist model that is still implemented
today. The Soviets used every opportunity to re -enforce Cuba¶s socialistic policies,
attempting to mould them into another communist surrogate puppet. Castro , while accepting
on issues such as abolition of private property 1, made it very clear, that both nations had the
right to ³apply its own formulas in the construction of socialism´, clearly dividing the political
rift between them and making the distinction t hat both countries were attempting to achieve
socialism, or in the case of the Soviet Union, communism, in their own ways. This was a
very smart move as it allowed socialism to continue to grow and develop within the country
without the iron -fisted control of the Soviet Unions¶ communist policies and ideals.

The other distinctive factor that greatly influenced Cuban socialist policy was the people¶s
need for socialist ideals. Since 1898, under various failed leaderships, the Cuban people had

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Although this was later revoked, implemented again and finally revoked again: the situation Cuba has now
been oppressed , marginalised and sidelined in preference to industry and economic growth.
After the benevolent dictator Batista was overthrown by the Castro his guerrilla
revolutionaries , the people were desperate for a change in social and economic policy.
When Castro¶s revolutionaries began calling for a more socially, people oriented Cuba, the
populace finally found a foothold and a medium they could piggyback to achieve their needs:
they endorsed and supported Castro and his revolutionaries. It was a natural progress ion for
the people, after years of hardship for the benefits of the upper -class and money makers, the
people needed compensation. They yearned for a system that could channel more of their
work into benefitting themselves, a more collective economy that su pported everyone, not
just those on the upper tiers in the social hierarchy. They thus clung to Castro¶s effort with
zealous energy, helping the revolution to achieve its goals, and ultimately, a more socialist
country.

To conclude, socialism was brought to Cuba through a combination of two major factors .
The first being the harsh isolationist policies of the United States which consequently
spurred the creation of an alliance between Cuba and the Soviet Union . The second, being
the Cuban people¶s need for social change and social policies within their country. While
Castro played a vital role in the process of change, it cannot be denied that without the
aggressive nature of the United States¶ policies, or the selfish wis hes of the Soviet Union,
there might not have been a politically branded socialist country, but one that more closely
followed the ideals of Castro and his revolutionaries. Regardless, the country has emerged
strong and distinctly unique. Vive la Cuba!