Where it took place
| Type | Place |
|---|---|
| Region | Latin America |
| Country | Cuba |
Campaign at a glance
In July and August 1933, a general strike in Cuba forced dictator Gerardo Machado to resign and flee the country [src]. The campaign began as a bus drivers’ strike in Havana and quickly escalated into a nationwide economic shutdown involving workers, professionals, and business owners. After the military switched sides and the U.S. ambassador pressured Machado, he stepped down on August 11, 1933 [src].
Tactics used
- unknown
Background
For two years prior to the campaign, violent struggle against dictator Gerardo Machado had failed to oust him. The campaign began as a strike by Havana bus drivers for their own demands, but quickly expanded into a nationwide movement to overthrow Machado [src].
What happened
Lead photo. — Wikimedia Commons contributor (Public domain). Source: cubans-general-strike-to-overthrow-president-1933.jpg
On July 27, 1933, Havana bus drivers went on strike, and two days later intercity drivers struck in solidarity. [src] Soldiers fired on demonstrators on August 1, killing two, and shops and theaters closed in Santa Clara. [src] When police attacked striking teachers, more transportation workers joined. [src] Sugar workers organized demonstrations and hunger marches. [src] By August 5, the Cuban Confederation of Labor called for a general strike. [src] The regime arrested over 100 labor leaders and police fired on a crowd, killing 20 and wounding over 100. [src] On August 6, railway workers, hotel and restaurant workers, physicians, bakers, and cigarmakers joined. [src] Government employees in Sanitation, Communications, and Treasury went on strike. [src] The U.S. [src] ambassador pressured Machado to leave. [src] Machado offered legal recognition to the CNOC if they ended the strike, but workers rejected the deal. [src] An underground radio station falsely claimed Machado had resigned, leading to a demonstration where police killed 20. [src] The military then switched sides and placed Havana under military control on August 9. [src] Machado resigned on August 11 and left the country [src].
Key people & organizations
- Gerardo Machado y Morales
- Cuban Confederation of Labor (CNOC)
- Communist Party of Cuba
- ABC resistance group
- U.S. Ambassador
Outcome
Verdict: won.
The campaign achieved its goal of ousting Machado, who resigned on August 11, 1933. The nonviolent action succeeded after violence had failed to remove the dictator [src].
Lessons
- Nonviolent action can succeed after violent resistance has failed.
- A general strike that spreads across sectors and regions can force regime change.
- Broad coalitions including workers, professionals, and business owners increase pressure on a dictator.
- The defection of the military and external allies can be decisive in a nonviolent campaign.
Sources
- Global Nonviolent Action Database —
nv-database
Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.
Sources & verification
nv-database— grounding: primary — license: link-only- Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via
worker_casestudies_v2.py
Learn more
- On Wikipedia: 1933 Cuban general strike — CC BY-SA 4.0