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Summary

In July and August 1933, a general strike in Cuba forced dictator Gerardo Machado to resign and flee the country. 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 [source: nv-database].

Tactics used

Tactics used

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 [source: nv-database].

What happened

On July 27, 1933, Havana bus drivers went on strike, and two days later intercity drivers struck in solidarity. [source: nv-database] Soldiers fired on demonstrators on August 1, killing two, and shops and theaters closed in Santa Clara. [source: nv-database] When police attacked striking teachers, more transportation workers joined. [source: nv-database] Sugar workers organized demonstrations and hunger marches. [source: nv-database] By August 5, the Cuban Confederation of Labor called for a general strike. [source: nv-database] The regime arrested over 100 labor leaders and police fired on a crowd, killing 20 and wounding over 100. [source: nv-database] On August 6, railway workers, hotel and restaurant workers, physicians, bakers, and cigarmakers joined. [source: nv-database] Government employees in Sanitation, Communications, and Treasury went on strike. [source: nv-database] The U.S. [source: nv-database] ambassador pressured Machado to leave. [source: nv-database] Machado offered legal recognition to the CNOC if they ended the strike, but workers rejected the deal. [source: nv-database] An underground radio station falsely claimed Machado had resigned, leading to a demonstration where police killed 20. [source: nv-database] The military then switched sides and placed Havana under military control on August 9. [source: nv-database] Machado resigned on August 11 and left the country [source: nv-database].

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 [source: nv-database].

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

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

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