Analysis Of Ledership Approaches Of Fidel Castro As The Factors Of His

Fidel Castro was a communist revolutionist who governed Cuba from 1959 to 2008. He came to power in 1959 as a result of many factors including leadership, propaganda and ideology, and his use of force. But to what extent was leadership the main influence? Leadership can be defined as one’s ability to influence or motivate a group of people towards a common aim. Therefore, it is important to consider all factors of Castro’s leadership, including the use of propaganda and ideology, and use of force.

The main reason Castro came to power in 1959 was because of leadership, however, not only Castro’s leadership, correspondingly Batista’s lack of leadership. Additionally, propaganda and ideology play a very important role as this gained him followers both in Cuba and the United States of America and having a following is one of the most important aspects when taking power in a country and starting a revolution. The use of force was the least important factor in Castro's rise to power, however still had an impact, it is also important to give attention to Castro’s lack of force when evaluating this factor. Initially, Batista was a very altruistic an charismatic leader when looking at his advocacy for Cubas black and mixed race citizens and campaigned for rights of landowners during first presidency, additionally Organizing the so-called “Sergeant’s Rebellion” of non-commissioned officers, seizing control of the armed forces and making alliances with student groups and unions.

However Batista is also known as very as deceptive, violent and corrupt. He deceived the public, when overthrowing Prio, stating that Prio was planning a coup of his own in 1952. An example of Batista’s violence was the Operation Verano, Batista initiated the first and only major military offensive against Castro’s rebels in the Sierras. Castro came to power as a result of his own leadership, however, Castro rose to power in 1959 due to Batista's failures as a leader. Castro started his campaign during a time in which there was widespread poverty throughout the country. This was a result of the high unemployment rates and that the economy was very dependent on sugar. There was a very high volume of corruption in the country, especially in the capital, Havana. Additionally, Cubans were very oppressed by the government Batista also failed to implement reforms but rather, he used brutal measures to keep his people under his control. It became obvious that he needed to take drastic and aggressive measures to maintain his country. The United States, who initially supported him, ended their support and began to support Castro. As stated by Nahavandi “Contingency Era theory leadership view is that personality style, behavior of effective leaders depends on the situation in which there are placed” Castro saw an opportunity to gain trust and followers, and took advantage of the situation. His approach was successful. Batista's failures in leadership were crucial in the success of the revolution because they gave Castro the perfect conditions and circumstances to gain support and overthrow Batista. The citizens were desperate and it was very easy for Castro to gain followers through very basic propaganda. This shows that Batista’s leadership was very prevalent in Castro’s rise to power.

Castro is known to be a very confident, determined and charismatic leader. He followed through with the Moncada Barrack attacks, aware of that there was a very large chance of failing as he was outnumbered and poorly armed. Castro had the ability to inspire confidence and support amongst those who stood by him. It is evident that he was a very determined revolutionary in the quote “I was convinced then that change could only be realized by revolutionary means”. These Characteristics helped Castro a lot during his rise to power in Cuba. An element of Castro’s leadership that gained him a lot of followers was his express of empathy for the lower class Cubans. He took forcefully from the rich to give to the poor and his motivation helped the lower class Cubans raise their level of self esteem. Castro was a challenger and this was very admirable to the citizens of Cuba, in an effort to accomplish his goals and objectives, he took the lead in all the coups that were attempted. He never left his followers to fight alone. Castro was also a very manipulative leader, he was a very transformational leader in that he had the ability to influence his followers’ values, ethics, and standards, he also showed very deep emotion towards his followers. Arguably the most important element of Castro’s leadership, was his natural ability to influence his followers. Castro demonstrated leadership traits very early in his childhood. He understood the people of Cuba, especially the poor and this had a very positive impact on his campaign.

The positive characteristics of Castro were very admirable and commendable and were the main reason for his rapid ride to power. Castro’s leadership was very important in the reasons that he came to power in 1959, however, without Batista’s failures prior, it would be a lot harder or impossible for Castro to take control of the country.

Propaganda was one of the main reasons for Castro’s success because this gained him followers and support in the U. S. , as well as in Cuba. Castro also believed this and it is evident through the quote “Propaganda must not be abandoned for a minute, for it is the soul of every struggle”. He knew the importance of propaganda and used it to his advantage. The nationalist ideology gained him a large amount of followers as well because he was willing to die for his country, the communist ideology did not come until after 1959. Castro spread his ideas through manifestos and speeches, stating promises of; Agrarian reform, Rent reductions, Industrial development and modernisation. Most importantly, he mentioned that he wanted to take control of public utilities, which were mostly in hands of US companies. It will be argued that Castro rose as a strong opposition leader thanks to his excellent use of mass media, When his Moncada Barracks attack failed Castro used this publicity to deliver his famous speech “History will absolve me”. The trial was broadcasted and open to the public. Ratifying his rebellious actions and boldly proclaiming his political views. The trial was regarded as a sensation. We can also clearly see his ability to use mass media to transmit his ideas and increase his popularity was when he let the American Journalist, Herbert Matthews, interview him for the New York Times; while in Sierra Maestra in 1957. This article helped Castro’s following reach the United States. The United States ultimately started supporting Castro. This was one of the most important …. In the success of Castro. Castro would not have been able to win the war against Batista without his extensive following. His following was gained through his extensive use of propaganda and the mass media, therefor propaganda was another crucial part of Castro’s rise to power. Castro’s ideology was heavily influenced by other key figures for example José Martí. José Martí was a strong believer in racial equality in Cuba. A phrase that Marti used was “the natural man” meaning that Cubans shouldn't be looking to Europe but instead to their own history to formulate their own government and that it should be authentically cuban. This was the ideology that Castro stood by in the beginning, however, ultimately he resulted to needing the Soviet Union's support.

Castro’s ideology was very important in his gaining of followers as well. The people of Cuba did not want to be controlled by the United States of America anymore. Propaganda and ideology was not the main reason Castro gained power in 1959, however, both aspects played a very important role and had a large influence. Castro’s use of force was effective, however, this was the least important influence in his rise to power in 1959. Castro used violence in his attack on the Moncada Barracks, this failed. He was sent to prison however, following his release from prison he trained his men, built guerilla forces and fought small battles with patrols. Castro was launching more and more attacks on the government, forcing Batista to withdraw his forces entirely from the area by spring of 1958. Batista launched operation verano against the rebels but they were weak, a lot of the army died and a lot were joining the rebels. Batista failed and knew the end was coming. Castro immediately launched a counterattack to capitalize on the situation. Castro’s supporters abroad were smuggling in weapons and ammunition. After fighting in Santiago and santa clara and the defeat of the army garrison at Yaguajay in 1958. Batista fled Cuba and Castro enters Havana in triumph on 2 January 1959.

The main influence that using violence had on Castro’s takeover was little by little destroying Batista’s army and confidence. Castro did not gain followers though his use of force, instead through his lack of use of force compared to Batista. Batista used the BRAC to brutally crush any opponents or potential opposition. The Cuban’s did not like that Batista's was using a lot of violence because it reminded them of the imperialist oppressors. Ortodoxo leadership advocated passive resistance and civil disobedience. Youth wanted more direct action so they rallied around leaders like Fidel Castro who used militant rhetoric. Castro also treated the peasants very well, which was a change from Batista. This is one of the main reasons that he gained followers in the rural areas of Cuba. Castro’s use of force did not help him to gain followers and having followers is the most crucial part of starting a revolution and gaining power. Batista’s lack of leadership skills and support was the main reason Castro came to power in 1959.

Castro’s leadership had a very large influence on his success, however, without the circumstances and problems caused by Batista, it would have been a lot more difficult for Castro to gain followers through his manipulation and public speaking skills. Propaganda and Ideology were the most important factors for gaining followers. This is a crucial part of overtaking a country, however Castro’s propaganda would not have been as effective without the public's discontent and disapproval of Batista as their leader. Castro's use of force was the least important factor of Castro’s rise to power. It was effective however, as mentioned earlier, his use of force did not gain him followers, in that case looking at Castro’s lack of use of force compared to Batista would have a larger effect on his success. Historian Eckstein states that “social and economic problems provided the necessary conditions for the national revolt but castro sparked the flame”. This shows that Batista’s leadership were the most important aspects of Castro’s successes.