The Cuban Revolution: Fidel Castro's Relationship With Russia

As prime minister of Cuba, Fidel Castro used his connection with the Soviet Union to gain allies and to guarantee support for his rule. “Cuba quickly aligned with the Soviet Union, abolished capitalism, nationalize foreign­owned enterprises, and instituted many soviet style agrarian and industrial measures” (Elliott). The Cuban Revolution solidified the relationship with the Russians because the Communistic philosophy made political friends (Elliott). The Cuban economy was subsidized by $4.5 billion annually in direct aid from the Soviets (“Cuban Policy”). Trade ultimately broke off with the Soviet Union when it dissolved and the communist union was dismantled. Without the Soviet Union support, unemployment and inflation rates soared in Cuba
(“Fidel Castro” Newsmakers) . Castro began pressing the United States to lift the embargo because the Soviet crash impacted the imports to Cuba (“Fidel Castro” N ewsmakers) . The U.S. government refused to lift the embargo and refused to negotiate on trade matters until Castro ended his dictatorial regime (“Fidel Castro” N ewsmakers) .
During his years as the leader of Cuba, Castro used his economic policies to suppress people and silence his enemies. Trade with Russia had decreased significantly, and the nation was impacted. T here were shortages of everything from industrial equipment and replacement parts to building supplies. This situation caused an extended period of economic crisis, which started to drastically affect Cubans in 1991 ( "The Special Period”). Castro announced that Cuba was undergoing a Special Period in Time of Peace, which seemed to promise the common people an opening moment for reform ("The Special Period”). Castro and his government addressed the economic crisis during the