La historia me absolverá

Die Entwicklung des Narrativs der kubanischen Geschichte in der revolutionären Propaganda von 1953 bis 1976

Abstract

This article examines the development of the narrative regarding the  Cuban history by the revolutionary Propaganda from 1953 to 1976. Due to the need for self-legitimation in the course of the consolidation of the Revolution, a historical narrative was created that was supposed to fulfill this function on an ideational level. In a dynamic process that always had to adapt to the political framework, the propaganda work on the narrative of history created a collective identity based on the Revolution and its connection to historical liberation movements. Also in focus were the propaganda of delegitimation of the old republic and the creation of an enemy image, repres­ented by the USA. This was expressed in slight reinterpretations, but also in veritable paradigm shifts concerning the perception of certain historical events. The investigation is based on Fidel Castro’s published speeches from 1953 to 1976, a Cuban history book from 1968, the PCC account­ability report from 1975 and the preamble to the Cuban Constitution from 1976.