Army Politics in Cuba, 1898-1958

Perez traces in Army Politics in Cuba, the genesis, pre-eminence, and the fall of the Cuban army. This much needed book is as much a historical analysis of 'nation building' as it is a case study of army politics in Cuba. . . . The volume can be used for courses in comparative analyses of civil-military relations, international relations, military institutions and politics in Latin America, and diplomatic history and politics.

Contemporary Sociology

Louis A. Pérez examines the founding of the national army in Cuba, the rise and fall of Cuban army preeminence during the Machado regime, the bizarre army seizure of power in 1933, which resulted in the collapse of the officer corps, and follows the dominance of the army until the revolution of 1958. He shows that the Cuban political order rested on the stability of the army, which itself grew increasingly estranged from national traditions and eventually became the tool of a clique of political leaders, only to fall to rebel forces during the revolution.

More Praise

Perez is particularly strong on the role of the army under Batista, who used the organization of the military and of a tame Communist Party to maintain his hold in a way that oddly foreshadows the alliance between the Rebel Army and the P.S.P. under Castro.

Journal of Latin American Studies

The value of this elaborate work lies in the historical perspective it offers on the institutional development of the Cuban Armed Forces. . . . the first thorough analysis of the development and politics of the Cuban military. Students of the Cuban Revolution and Latin American militarism will find it an invaluable contribution to the profession.

The Americas

The book is well documented and offers valuable insights on many untouched aspects of the Cuban process. . . . a very valuable contribution to a better understanding of the Cuban historical process.

Hispanic American Historical Review

258 Pages, 6 x 9 in.

March, 1976

isbn : 9780822984511

Series

Pitt Latin American Series

Subjects

about the author

Louis A. Perez Jr. is J. Carlyle Sitterson Professor of History at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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