Cuba's Forgotten Decade

The 1970s have largely been overlooked in scholarly studies of the Cuban Revolution, or, at the very least, dismissed simply as a period of “Sovietization” characterized by widespread bureaucratization, institutionalization, and adherence to Soviet orthodoxy. Consequently, scant research exists that examines the major changes that took place across the decade and their role in determining the course of the Revolution. This book provides, for the first time, a comprehensive assessment of the 1970s which challenges prevailing interpretations. Drawing from multidisciplinary perspectives and exploring a range of areas—including politics, international relations, culture, education, and healthcare—its contributing authors demonstrate that the decade was a time of intense transformation which proved pivotal to the development of the Revolution. Indeed, many of the ideas, approaches, policies, and legislation developed and tested during the 1970s maintain a very visible legacy in contemporary Cuba. In highlighting the complexity of the 1970s, this volume ultimately aims to contribute to a greater understanding of the Cuban Revolution and how it chooses to face the challenges of the twenty-first century.

“This collection offers a sound challenge to received historical wisdom about Cuba. Most fundamentally, it is a great example of what happens to historical truths when cultural, social, and political life are examined with one lens. This is as true for Cuba in the 1970s as it is anywhere, anytime.”

-- Karen Dubinsky, Queen’s University
A wide ranging look at all aspects of Cuba in the 1970s, a crucial inflexion point between the freewheeling revolution 'por la libre' of the 1960s and the institutionalized system that followed. Anyone interested in understanding the origins of contemporary Cuba should not miss this thoughtful assessment of an important yet often neglected decade. -- William LeoGrande, American University

Emily J. Kirk is Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of International Development Studies at Dalhousie University.

Anna Clayfield is lecturer in Spanish and Latin American studies at the University of Chester.

Isabel Story is lecturer in the School of Art and Design at Nottingham Trent University and is a visiting research fellow at the University of Nottingham.

The 1970s have largely been overlooked in scholarly studies of the Cuban Revolution, or, at the very least, dismissed simply as a period of "Sovietization" characterized by widespread bureaucratization, institutionalization, and adherence to Soviet orthodoxy. Consequently, scant research exists that examines the major changes that took place across the decade and their role in determining the course of the Revolution. This book provides, for the first time, a comprehensive assessment of the 1970s which challenges prevailing interpretations. Drawing from multidisciplinary perspectives and exploring a range of areas-including politics, international relations, culture, education, and healthcare-its contributing authors demonstrate that the decade was a time of intense transformation which proved pivotal to the development of the Revolution. Indeed, many of the ideas, approaches, policies, and legislation developed and tested during the 1970s maintain a very visible legacy in contemporary Cuba. In highlighting the complexity of the 1970s, this volume ultimately aims to contribute to a greater understanding of the Cuban Revolution and how it chooses to face the challenges of the twenty-first century.

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